KHAIRPUR: Mir Ali Murad Khan Talpur II, the last ruler of the former princely state of Khairpur, has died at the age of 93, bringing to close a significant chapter in the history of Sindh’s former princely states.
Mir Ali Murad Khan Talpur passed away on Monday while receiving treatment in Sukkur. His son, Prince Mir Mehdi Raza Talpur, confirmed his death. The news triggered mourning across Khairpur and other parts of Sindh, with political, social and community figures expressing condolences to the bereaved family.
Born on June 29, 1933, in Brighton, England, Mir Ali Murad succeeded to the position of ruler of Khairpur in July 1947 at the age of 14. His accession came at a critical moment in the subcontinent’s history, shortly after the creation of Pakistan.
Under his rule, the State of Khairpur acceded to Pakistan on October 3, 1947. The accession agreement was subsequently endorsed by Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Khairpur retained a distinct administrative status for several years before its separate position was eventually abolished in the mid-1950s.
Mir Ali Murad remained associated with the state during its transition from a princely entity to integration within Pakistan. Historical accounts describe the period as an important phase in the political transformation of Khairpur and its relationship with the newly established country.
He was also associated with efforts aimed at supporting development in Khairpur and northern Sindh. The former ruler continued to command considerable respect among sections of the people of Khairpur, where the legacy of the Talpur dynasty remains visible through landmarks including Kot Diji Fort and Faiz Mahal.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed grief over Mir Ali Murad’s death, saying his services toward preserving the history and culture of Khairpur and Sindh would be remembered. His death marks the passing of the final ruler associated with Khairpur’s princely era, closing a historical chapter that began before Pakistan’s independence and continued through the country’s formative years.