Although he spent most of his life in Bombay, Dehlavi also went to London for higher education during his early adulthood.
In 1907 he served as one of the chief organisers of the All India Muslim League meeting in Karachi.
He stated in that session that if the Muslim League were to continue its operations in a hard working manner and according to the constitution, it would undoubtedly become a formidable political force.
In the 1908 session at Aligarh he was selected as a member of the central committee, and in the same year was appointed Diwan for the state of Mangrol, a title he held until 1916.
From 1924 to 1927 he served as a member of the Bombay Legislative Council, sitting as the minister for excise, forests and registration.