Syed Muzaffar Ali did his PhD (1939) from the University of London, UK. His specialization was in geography and cartography (including historical studies). He was Professor and Head, Department of Geography, University of Saugor, Sagar.

Academic and Research Achievements: Ali made distinct contributions to Arab geography. He wrote several papers on Arab geographers, for example Al Masundi. He did extensive research in cartography and established a new school of geography at Sagar. Ali gave a new orientation to the subject by emphasizing regional planning and urban studies. Also, he prepared a comprehensive scheme for a regional survey of Madhya Pradesh. He translated Renaud's Introduction General a la Geographi d Abulfeda Tome 1 and published them as Arab Geography and Arab Geographical Thought.

Other Contributions: Ali was a Member of State Advisory Board for Revision of Gazetteers of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, and also a Member of Expert Advisory Committee in Geography of the Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology (Government of India).

Awards and Honours: Ali was a Member of Indian Geographical Society (sometime Vice-President), and President of Indian Council of Geographers.