Shahnawaz Khan Mamdot

Nawab Sir Shahnawaz Khan Mamdot (17 December 1883 – 28 March 1942) was a Pashtun landowner and politician who was a key supporter of the Pakistan movement and for some time, the largest landowner in Punjab.

Early life and career He was born in Mamdot, Punjab in 1883 into the royal dynasty of Mamdot, a cadet branch of the Kheshgi family. In 1907, he left Punjab and settled in Hyderabad State where he joined the state police.

He returned to his ancestral land in 1934 and joined the Unionist Party (Punjab). Later that year, he funded publication of a book by Mian Kifait Ali titled "Pakistan", which caused Mohammad Ali Jinnah to intervene and insist on a name change before publication for risk of antagonizing non-Muslims.

Mamdot was a staunch supporter of a separate Muslim nation, and held the belief that Muslims could never tolerate subjugation to a community with which they shared no common ground in religion, culture and civilisation.

At the Lahore Resolution session in 1940, he gave the welcome address as chairman of the local reception committee.

Commemorative postage stamp Pakistan Post issued a commemorative postage stamp in his honor in 1990.

Death and legacy He died of a heart attack in Lahore on 28 March 1942.

He was succeeded as the Nawab of Mamdot, and president of the Punjab Muslim League by his son Iftikhar Hussain Khan Mamdot.