Once upon a time, in the vast and diverse land of the Indian subcontinent, there existed an elite cadre known as the Indian Civil Service (ICS). These administrators were the crown jewels of the British Raj, hailed for their unparalleled expertise and authority. Among them, the European officers were the crème de la crème, their influence unmatched. Over the years, the ICS has captured the fascination of historians and scholars, who have delved into the lives and legacies of these civil servants.
When the Radcliffe Line drew a border across the land, the ICS on the Indian side was left to the annals of history, formally concluding its chapter with the retirement of N.K. Mukarji as Cabinet Secretary in March 1980. Mukarji, who had joined the ICS in 1943, was part of its final cohort. His fellow recruits included three Muslims: Aftab Ghulam Nabi (A.G.N.) Kazi, Agha Shahi, and Mian Riazuddin Ahmed, who, like many Muslim ICS officers, chose to serve in Pakistan after the Partition.
A.G.N. Kazi, born in Sindh, began his ICS career in Bihar and Orissa. His journey as a civil servant spanned over half a century, making him the longest-serving civil servant in Pakistan. Agha Shahi, hailing from Mysore and related to the distinguished diwan Sir Mirza Ismail, had an impressive academic background from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Shahi, along with his brother Agha Hilaly, left an indelible mark on Pakistan’s foreign service, with Shahi serving as Foreign Secretary and later as Foreign Minister.
During the colonial era, the British officers held sway over the administration, from the powerful Governors to district officials, ruling vast regions with little accountability to Indian legislative bodies. Even the judiciary, including the higher courts, was dominated by ICS men. In Pakistan, four Chief Justices of the Supreme Court were former ICS officers: Muhammad Shahabuddin, A.R. Cornelius, S.A. Rahman, and Sheikh Anwarul Haq. In India, Kailas Nath Wanchoo, an ICS officer from the United Provinces, served as Chief Justice.
The ICS officers’ authority was so vast that even the Viceroy and Governor General could not remove them; only the Secretary of State for India in distant Whitehall held that power. Joining this elite “heaven-born” service was a Herculean task, but it was not uncommon for several members of the same family to succeed.
One such family was the Kripalani brothers from Hyderabad, Sindh. The eldest became the first Indian Chief Secretary of Bombay, the second served in Punjab and various other capacities, and the third became India’s Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi after Partition. Another notable family was that of Nawab Mohammad Ismail Khan, a founding member of the All India Muslim League and a significant figure in the Khilafat and Pakistan movements. His sons, G.A. Madani and Ikram Ahmed Khan, followed in their father’s footsteps, joining the ICS and serving with distinction in Pakistan.
Some ICS officers chose to remain in India. Among them were Hifazat Hussain, a friend of E.M. Forster, and Wajahat Hussain, as well as several others from prominent backgrounds. Meanwhile, Cornelius and Samuel Martin Burke, both Indian Christians, opted for Pakistan. Burke, who had left the ICS, was recalled by Jinnah to join the foreign service, and Dr. Akhtar Hameed Khan, a son-in-law of Allama Mashriqi, made significant contributions to rural development in Pakistan.
The Dayal brothers, Rajeshwar and Harishwar, also had noteworthy careers. Rajeshwar, as High Commissioner to Pakistan, rekindled an old friendship with President Ayub Khan, while Harishwar was praised by Prime Minister Nehru for his service. The Lall brothers, Arthur and John, continued their family’s legacy of public service and scholarship, making significant contributions to India’s diplomacy and historical research.
As the political landscape of the subcontinent shifted, the Muslim ICS officers gradually aligned with the Muslim League. By the end of 1946, they were either pro-Congress or pro-Muslim League, reflecting the sharp political polarization of the time.
At Partition, Pakistan’s provincial governors were largely ICS Europeans, and European officers remained influential in Pakistan’s early years. The ICS officers who stayed on provided stability but also faced criticism for their alliances with the military, which hindered the development of a democratic system. Among these officers were Akhter Husain and M.M. Ahmed, who significantly influenced Pakistan’s bureaucracy.
Many Muslim ICS officers from northern India and Bengal formed the core of the new Civil Service of Pakistan (CSP). In a recent reflection, Pakistani-American author Daniyal Mueenuddin nostalgically recalled his father’s days in the ICS, highlighting the stark contrast between the past and present.
Interestingly, Jalaluddin Abdur Rahim, the son of Justice Sir Abdur Rahim, transitioned from an ICS officer to the first Secretary-General of the Pakistan People’s Party, illustrating the evolving role of these elite administrators in post-colonial South Asia.
And so, the story of the Indian Civil Service weaves through the annals of history, its legacy living on in the administrations of modern India and Pakistan, a testament to the enduring influence of this elite cadre of civil servants.
