Khanzadas of Mewat

Mewat
1372–1527
Location of Mewat within Rajputana circa 1525, with neighbouring polities.[1]
CapitalAlwar
Religion
Sunni Islam
GovernmentTributary to the Delhi Sultanate
(1372-1427)
Independent Monarchy (1427-1527)
Raja 
• 1372
Raja Bahadur Nahar Khan(first)
• 1527
Hasan Khan Mewati (last)
Historical eraMiddle Ages
• Established
1372
• Disestablished
1527

The Mewat State was a sovereign kingdom ruled by the Khanzadas of Mewat. They were a ruling dynasty of Muslim Rajputs from Rajputana who had their capital at Alwar. The Khanzadas were Muslim Rajputs who descended from Raja Sonpar Pal who was a Rajput who converted to Islam during the period of the Delhi Sultanate in India.[2][3]

History

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In 1372, Firuz Shah Tughlaq granted the Lordship of Mewat to Raja Nahar Khan, (who was formerly known as Raja Sonpar Pal, of Kotla). Raja Nahar Khan established a hereditary polity in Mewat and proclaimed the title of Wali-e-Mewat. Later his descendants affirmed their own sovereignty in Mewat. They ruled Mewat till 1527.

Distant view of Alwar fort from the city
View of city of Alwar from Bala Quila.
A passage at the Hill Fort, Kesroli.

Downfall

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The last Khanzada Rajput ruler of Mewat was Hasan Khan Mewati, who died in the Battle of Khanwa. Following this battle, Mewat was integrated into the Mughal Empire and the Khanzadas became a part of the Mughal nobility.[citation needed]

Rulers of Mewat

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The Khanzada Rajputs rulers of Mewat State adopted the title "Wali-e-Mewat". The title was later changed to "Shah-e-Mewat" by Hasan Khan Mewati in 1505.

Lineage
Rulers of Mewat State Reign
1st Raja Nahar Khan, f.k.a Raja Sonpar Pal - the founder of Mewat state and the progenitor of Khanzada Rajputs 1372–1402
2nd Raja Khanzada Bahadur Khan - founded Bahadurpur in 1406. 1402–1412
3rd Raja Khanzada Akleem Khan 1412–1417
4th Raja Khanzada Feroz Khan - founded Ferozepur Jhirka in 1419. 1417–1422
5th Raja Khanzada Jalal Khan 1422–1443
6th Raja Khanzada Ahmad Khan 1443–1468
7th Raja Khanzada Zakaria Khan 1468–1485
8th Raja Khanzada Alawal Khan - won Bala Quila from Nikumbh Rajputs to stop the practice of human sacrifice. 1485–1504
9th Raja Khanzada Hasan Khan Mewati - The last Khanzada Rajput ruler of Mewat. 1504–1527

Descendants

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In the following centuries, the Khanzadas were reduced to the status of zamindars. Many continued to serve in the Alwar State Forces and British Indian Army. the Gorwal gotra of the Meos seem to be a tributary to the Khanzada Rajputs, however this is unclear.[4] However, the Chowdhurys' of Tijara and Nawabs of Shahabad, Alwar remained important Khanzadas strongholds.

Among them Nawab Feroz Khan of Shahabad, Alwar and Khan Bahadur Fateh Naseeb Khan of Tijara, Alwar achieved Imperial chivalry ranks.

After the Partition of India, majority Khanzadas of Mewat migrated to Pakistan following the religious violence in India in 1947, and settled in these Districts: Karachi, Hederabad, Nawabshah, Larakana, Kasur, Faisalabad and Narowal.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Schwartzberg, Joseph E. (1978). A Historical atlas of South Asia. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. p. 147, map XIV.4 (a). ISBN 0226742210.
  2. ^ Bharadwaj, Suraj (2016). State Formation in Mewat Relationship of the Khanzadas with the Delhi Sultanate, the Mughal State, and Other Regional Potentates. Oxford University Press. p. 11. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  3. ^ "Meo Rajput by Sardar Azeemullah Khan Meo". www.jadeed.store. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  4. ^ "Meo Rajput by Sardar Azeemullah Khan Meo". www.jadeed.store. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  5. ^ "Meo Rajput by Sardar Azeemullah Khan Meo". www.jadeed.store. Retrieved 23 February 2023.