Barha Dynasty
The Barha Dynasty, is a dynasty of Arab origin, descending from the Adnanite Rashidun Caliph, Ali, and therefore tracing its ancestry back to the Biblical Prophet Abraham.[1]. It is among the largest and oldest royal houses in India and the world, and consists of Abdullah al Wasiti, the founder of the dynasty, and his male-line descendants, who ruled in South Asia from their arrival at the close of the 10th Century until the second half of the 20th Century. When the abolition of Indian Princely States including the Princely State of Rampur ruled by the Rohilla branch of the Barha Dynasty brought their rule to an end. [2]
The dynasty is well known for the martial prowess of its members who always lead their armies from the vanguard. However, it is best remembered for it's member's role as de-facto rulers over most of South Asia at the start of the 18th Century, as well as their general tolerance to their non-muslim subjects. The Nawabs of Rampur eliminated communal violence and during their reign, while Nawab Hussain Ali Khan and Nawab Abdullah Khan had abolished Poll tax against non-muslims throughout India, brought the Marathas into the mughal fold and helped win over Hindu Rajasthani rulers like Ajit Singh of Marwar.[3][4]
Ancestry
The meaning of the name Barha is uncertain. While some contend that it comes from the word, "bahir", meaning "outsider" referring to the preference of members of the Barha dynasty to live outside Delhi. Others like the Emperor Jahangir, believed that it came from the Hindi word, "barha", meaning "twelve". In reference to the twelve townships that members of the dynasty had received as fiefs from Sultan Shibabdudin of Ghor when they first arrived in India.[5]
The dynasty descends in the male line from the fourth Rashidun Caliph, Ali, through his younger son Hussain who married Shahrbanu, herself a daughter of the Sassanian emperor of Persia, Yazdegard III. Due to Ali's status as an Adnanite, the dynasty can trace its ancestry to Abraham through his eldest son Ishmael.[6]
In Arabia, the ancestor's of the dynasty took part in many rebellions against Abbasid authority. One ancestor, Isa bin Zayd, revolted against the Caliph Al Mahdi and was consequently poisoned by that caliph at the age of 45. Subsequently, the dynasty were heavily persecuted by the Abbasid government, and eventually the founder of the Barha dynasty, Abul Farah Al Wasiti, fled from Madina to Wasit and from there he fled to the Ghaznavid Empire. His four sons entered into the military service of Sultan Muhammad of Ghor and received twelve fiefs in Punjab, then a part of the Ghor Empire, as reward for their service. Thus the dynasty became quickly established as Nobles of the Sword in ancient India, a status they held under several different empires. They held a particularly high status under the Sultanate of Delhi. When the Chief of the Barha, who was also the Diwan of the empire, was granted the fief of Saharanpur due to his relation with the imperial family.[7] They also enjoyed particularly prominent positions under the reign of the Sur, eventually defecting during the last days in the reign of Sikander Sur of the Sur Empire, to the Emperor Akbar of the Mughal Empire in the course of the siege of Mankot .[8][9]
The Barha dynasty maintains the unique status of having been the only dynasty to participate in all three Battles of Panipat, seminal battles which shaped Indian History. Under the Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat. In the Second Battle of Panipat they gained victory under Bairam Khan, and finally in the Third Battle Of Panipat, the sons of Nawab Ali Muhammad Khan Rohilla fought with Ahmed Shah Abidali against the Maratha.
By the time of the Emperor Aurangzeb, the dynasty was firmly regarded as "Old Nobility" and enjoyed the unique status of holding the premier realms of Ajmer and Dakhin. Realms usually reserved for the rule of members of the Imperial Family.[10]
Branches
The children of Abdullah al wasiti settled in various villages, each eventually forming its own branch.
- Sayyid Daud settled in Tihaanpur, giving rise to the Tihaanpuri branch.
- Sayyid Abul Fazl settled in Chhatbannur giving rise to the Chhaturai branch.
- Sayyid Najmudin Hussain settled in Jagner, giving rise to the Jagner branch.
- Sayyid Fazail settled in Kundli giving rise to the Lundliwal branch.[11]
References
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