Abdul Hameed Khan was born in 1896 in Madras to Dhadha Khan. His ancestors came from Afghanistan. Hameed’s early education was in the Wesley Mission School and collegiate education at Madras Christian College. His political career was inspired by Gandhiji, Rajaji, and Sarojini Naidu. Hameed Khan had political affiliations with many parties. He first fell under the influence of the congress party. When the Khilafat movement was started he was the first to organize the Khilafat in Madras. He, however, differed from Congress, when it adopted the policy of direct action in 1921. He believed in constitutional agitation and joined the Swarajya Party. Later, when his party decided to capture all the statutory bodies, he was elected to the city Corporation. He strongly opposed the introduction of party politics in civic affairs. In 1927, he was elected to the Madras Legislative Council. In 1935, he became the Mayor of Madras and took a keen interest in the development of civic amenities. Although, he was in the congress and the Swarajya party in the twenties he was also closely associated with the Muslim League and was the secretary of the Muslim League from 1925 to 1940. In 1938, Abdul Hameed Khan became the Dewan of the Prince of Arcot and remained in that office till his death on 14 February 1966.