Syed Mahdi Hasnain

Major General Syed Mahdi Hasnain, PVSM was the raising commanding officer of the 4th Battalion the Garhwal Rifles of the Indian Army. He was commissioned in the British Indian Army in the 1st Royal Garhwal Rifles in 1943.
Early life and education.
He obtained his Master of Arts (MA) and LLB from the University of Lucknow. He chose to remain in the Indian Army instead of joining the Pakistan Army citing his Indian culture and heritage after the partition of British India in 1947.
Military career.
He attended the British Imperial Defense College, London in 1965 on being nominated to the institution by the Indian Army. He has commanded the Indian Army's 20 Mountain Division and also the 19 Infantry Division.
Children.
His son Syed Ata Hasnain was also a general officer in the Indian Army. His other son, Raza, was an officer of the Indian Administrative Service, who retired early, and is working in the corporate sector.