Nawab Ali Kadir Syud Hassan Ali Mirza Bahadur who succeeded his father, Feradun Jah alias Mansur Ali Khan, the last Nawab Nazim of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa, on his retirement in 1880 AD, was born on the 25^th of August 1846 AD. He is the 7^th from Mir Jafar, Nawab Nazim of Bengal; 9^th from Syud Hussain Najafi Chief of Najaf in Arabia; 28^th from Syud Ahamed, entitled Nasir-ud-din wa-ullah, ruler of Yemen (315 Hejera); 30^th from Imam Hussein; 36^th from Ali, the Amir-ul-Momin and Fatima, the Prophet's daughter; 37^th from Muhammad the Prophet of Arabia ; 39^th from Abdul Mutabe head of the Koreish tribe and chief of Mecca; 63^rd from Ismail and 64^th from Abraham of the old Testament, of whom in verse 6, Chapter XVII, of the book of Genesis, it is said :: "and Kings shall come out of thee".

Imam Husayn the brother of Imam Hassan, the grandson of the Prophet, married Shahrbanoo (or Shahr Banu, Meaning: "Lady of the Land") , the daughter of Yezdegerd III (also spelled Yazdegerd or Yazdiger, "made by God") , the last of the Sassanides Kings of Persia, who reigned between 202 and 636 AD, the founder of that family being Ardeshir Babegau. In 1636, Yezdegerd was overpowered by the Arabians and his daughter married Husayn, the issue of which marriage was a child, named Fatima Sugra, who married Hassan-a-Massanna the son of Imam Al-Hasan, thus uniting both branches of the Prophet's descendants. Nawab Hassan Ali Mirza therefore had an ancestor extending backwards for nearly four thousand years.
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Childhood

Burra Saheb, the name by which young Hassan Ali was known in his boyhood showed signs of extraordinary intelligence. Born in 25^th August 1846, He received his early lessons in English, Persian and the Arabic scriptures. In 1865 AD Accompanied by his two younger brothers, Wala Kadir Nawab Syud Husain Ali Mirza Bahadur [Mujli Sahib] and Humayun Kadir Syud Muhammad Ali Mirza Bahadur [Amir Sahib] he was sent to England to complete his education, in company with Colonel Herbert. All kinds of amusements were provided for the young princes. They were kept in South Kensington Hotel. They attended the Prince of Wales's Levee, to which the right of private entry was granted to them. Ali Kadir met Lady Williams, grand daughter of Lord Clive and received attention from all sides. He was introduced to Her Majesty the Queen Victoria by the Secretary of State. They visited Sandgate, Dover Castle, Southsea, Portsmouth, Birmingham, Coventry, Kidderminster, Worcester, Chester and Manchester. Leaving London in December of the same year they travelled back through France, Italy and Malta, visiting Paris, Bologna, Genoa, Florence, Leghorn, Rome, Naples and Pompeii en route and landed in Calcutta on March 1866 AD. Ali Kadir's second English visit was in company with his father on March, 1869 AD. After a stay of three years, he returned to India.

On 16^th February, 1887 AD, Nawab Hassan Ali Mirza Bahadur was made a Knight Commander of the most eminent order of the Indian Empire. On 28^th May 1887 AD, the oriental titles of "Ali Kadir, Ihtisham-ul-Mulk, Raes-ud-Daulla, Amir-ul-Omrah, Mahabat Jang (of first rank, Dignifier of the Country, Premier of the State, Noble of Nobles, Horror in War)" were conferred upon him. Sir Hassan Ali was made a Knight Grand Commander (GCIE) of the order of the Indian Empire on 20^th May, 1890 AD under a Royal Warrant, bearing the sign Manual of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. Since the title of Nawab of Bengal was abolished in 1880, On 17^th February 1882, however, Hassan Ali Mirza Khan was appointed to the lesser title of "Nawab Bahadur" of Murshidabad (N.B.M), and was confirmed in this title by the British in 1891.

Close upon the first anniversary of Lord Curzon's visit, Sir Hassan Ali had the pleasure of receiving Lord Powis, the fifth in descent from Lord Clive, who had the inconceiveable pleasure of shaking hands with the seventh in descent from Mir Jafar, Lord Powis coming to view the portrait of Mir Jafar, which he had never seen before, intuitively recognised it.

When the scheme of the Victoria Memorial Hall at Calcutta was first mooted, Sir Hassan Ali wrote unsolicited to the Viceroy to offer some of the beautiful and unique historical objects of interest in his possession, which He had taken particular Care to preserve or collect and which would, in themselves, provide the nucleus of a first class collection. The offer was gracefully acknowledged by the Viceroy in his speech at the Museum, where an Exhibition was held of the articles sent.
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Administration

Ever since his assumption of the charge of affairs, the Nawab Bahadur worked with great diligence, effecting vast improvements in all branches of the administration of the Nizamat. His successful administration of the estates, his extensive charities, his broad sympathies, his readiness to help the poor and to succor the distressed, his liberal hospitality, his devotion to public good, his humility, simplicity, kindness, generosity and benevolence, his keen sense of justice tempered with mercy and his amiability made up a career for him which every one admired and respected. To all loyal and benevolent movements, the Nawab Bahadur had always extended his patronage. During floods and natural disasters he used to open the grounds and halls of the Killah for the shelter of thousands of afflicted persons. To persons suffering from such distress he gave food and shelter alike.
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Family Tree :: Najafi Dynasty

Hassan Ali married (1) Amir Dulhan Kulsum-un-nisa Begum Sahiba in 1862. and (2) Mariam-un-nisa Khanum, alias Bi Dugari. Hassan Ali Died in 1906 AD and was burried in Iraq according to his wish. He was survived by five sons and two daughters.