Rohilla dynasty

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Rohilla dynasty
Rampur State Coat of Arms.png
Country
Founded1721
Founder Nawab Ali Mohammad Khan Bahadur Rohilla
Titles
  • Nawab of Rohilkhand
  • Nawab of Badaun
  • Nawab of Moradabad
  • Nawab of Rampur
  • Nawab of Aonla
  • Nawab of Tandah
  • Nawab of Bareilly
  • Nawab of Shikohabad
  • Maharaja of Kumaon [1]
  • Suzerain of Gahrwal [2]
  • Chief of the Rohilla
Deposition1947 (in Rampur State)
Cadet branches
  • House of Badaun
  • House of Rampur
  • House of Moradabad
  • House of Bareilly

The Rohilla dynasty was a dynasty that ruled over much of North-West Uttar Pradesh in the form of Rohilkhand [3] [4] and later until 1947, the Princely state of Rampur. At the height of their power the dynasty ruled over the Kingdom of Rohilkhand and held suzairnty over the Kingdom of Kumaon and Kingdom of Garhwhal. [5] [6] [7] [8]

Contents

The Nawabs of Rampur eliminated communal violence during their reign, even when there was wide spread ethnic cleansing of Muslim subjects in the states of Sikh States, Alwar and Bharatpur during the Partition Riots, widely believed to have been ordered by their rulers. The Nawab on the other hand, strictly forbade his nobles from committing reprisal attacks against non-Muslims. [9] [10] [11]

Origin

Rohillas are Pashtuns by descent who migrated to north India during the 17th and 18th centuries. However, the Rohilla dynasty descended from the founder of the Kingdom of Rohilkhand, Nawab Ali Muhammed Khan, who was a Jat [12] [13] [14] [15] boy of age of eight when he was adopted by the chief of the Barech tribe, Sardar Daud Khan Rohilla. [13] He became the Rohilla chief after the death of his foster father, Daud Khan. Due to the role he played in the establishment of Rohilkhand and in the general history of Rohillas, he gained recognition as a Rohilla chief, although he was not Afghan by birth. [15]

History

Nawab Sayyid Sir Muhammad Raza 'Ali Khan of Rampur with Khan Bahadur Sayyid Abdullah Khan of Jansath and Sayyid Mumtaz Ali Khan Nawab Sayyid Sir Muhammad Raza 'Ali Khan with Sayyid Abdullah Khan and Sayyid Mumtaz Ali Khan.jpg
Nawab Sayyid Sir Muhammad Raza 'Ali Khan of Rampur with Khan Bahadur Sayyid Abdullah Khan of Jansath and Sayyid Mumtaz Ali Khan

The dynasty rose to prominence with the first nawab of Rohilkhand, Nawab Ali Mohammad Khan.

Formation

Ali Mohammed Khan attracted many Afghan adventurers by virtue of his great reputation and became the most powerful man in Katehir. Conscious of his own power and the failing state of the Mughal Empire, he neglected imperial mandates and irregularly paid tax to the central government. Using the income from his lands to raise troops, purchase artillery and military stores and curry favour with political persons of interest, he used the same tactic to gain favour with the lower rungs of society. By his invasion of Nadir Shah in 1739 he strengthened his position, with many Afghans joining him. By 1740 he was officially recognised by the Emperor Muhammad Shah as governor. For the subsequent five years, his authority was unchallenged.

In 1745 a quarrel arose between Ali Mohammed and Safdar Jang, the subedar of Oudh. Ali's retainers seized the property of servants belonging to Safdar. Safdar was already jealous at Ali's growing power. He went to Emperor Muhammad Shah, and through him ordered the return of the confiscated property as well as the arrest of the Rohillas in charge of the confiscation. After Ali's refusal, Safdar led an imperial expedition together with the emperor. Ali's men deserted and he was captured and taken to Delhi.

He was treated respectfully by the emperor, in large part due to his influence among his many adherents. Ali was propitiated by an appointment as Governor of Sirhind (the area between Jummuna and Sutlej).

In 1748 an invasion by Ahmed Shah Abidali allowed Ali the opportunity to return to Katehir and re-establish his rule. Upon his return, he was rejoined by most of his men and became virtually independent in his control of Rohilkhand. To ensure loyalty almost all positions of power were given to Afghan and several including Najib-ad-daula received land grants. [16]

Second generation

On his deathbed, Ali Mohammad anointed his foster uncle Rehmat Khan as "Hafiz" (protector) of Rohilkhand and Dundi Khan as Chief of Army. He had already planned the division of his realm among his sons and received Rehmat Khan and Dundi Khan's solemn oaths that they would execute his will and protect the interests of his children. A council was created of the Rohilla chiefs in part to keep a check on Rehmat Khan and Dundi Khan and to provide a government that would safeguard Rohilkhand from invasion. All carried out solemn promises to carry out their duty, but they all reneged and sought to establish their own autonomy. This led to a confederation-like structure of government with the nawab of Rohilkhand at its head and the Rohilla chiefs in charge of individual Rohilla states answering to him, especially in regards to military engagements. [17]

Ali's realm was divided in such a way so as to create discord. Nawab Abdullah Khan and Nawab Murtaza Khan were given shared rule over Badaun. Nawab Alah Yar Khan and Nawab Saadullah Khan were given shared rule over Moradabad, Nawab Faizullah Khan was given rule over Rampur and Nawab Muhammad Yar Khan was given rule over Barielly. [18] [19] In 1754 Hafiz Rehmat Khan orchestrated an argument within the royal family and used it as a pretext to usurp the power and wealth of the orphans. Disgusted, Muhammad Yar Khan along with his older brother Abdullah Khan and younger brother Allah Yar Khan left for Oojanee. [20] Nawab Alah Yar Khan died of consumption, and Nawab Murtaza Khan left for Secunderabad, where he died. Nawab Saadullah Khan was appointed nawab of Rohilkhand. Later, Nawab Abdullah Khan and Nawab Muhammad Yar Khan were granted land again. Nawab Muhammad Yar Khan was given rule over Aonla, and his court at Tandah was famed for poets such as Qaim and Mushafi. [21]

Relations with the British

The dynasty was highly regarded by the British for their "determined bravery". The Rohilla Wars were the most costly for the British against any Indian kingdom. The ensuing guerrilla war forced the British to grant the Rohillas a princely state wheresoever they willed, leading to the creation of Rampur. [22] Their bravery, tolerance and progressive rule gained them admiration. They were called upon by the British for aid in the Anglo-French Wars. Burke described the Rohillas as "the bravest, the most honourable and generous" and the nawab of Rampur became the first Indian sovereign to meet Queen Victoria along with several other European monarchs. [23]

Dynastic relations

It is probably a branch of the influential Barha dynasty best known as de facto ruling Mughal empire during the early 18th century. [24] [25] [26] In the 19th century, descendants of Ali Mohammed Khan, specifically the Nawabs of Rampur, made disputed claims that he was a Barha Sayyid and began the usage the title of Sayyid. However, they could not present any pedigree or valid historical proof in the support of this claim. [14] The Nawabs even sought service of a prominent religious leader of Rampur, Najmul Ghani for establishing ancestry from Ali, which was widely rejected. [27]

List of Rulers

Kingdom of Rohilkhand

NawabRelation with previous NawabRule
Formation of Kingdom of Rohilkhand
Nawab Ali Mohammed Khan
Founder
1721–1748
Nawab Abdullah Khan
Son1748–1754
Nawab Saadullah Khan
Brother1754–1764
Nawab Faizullah Khan
Brother1764–1774
Conquest by Oudh. Green row signifies the regency of Hafiz Rahmat Ali Khan .

Rampur State

NawabReign beganReign ended
Formation of Rampur State after the First Rohilla War
Faizullah Khan 15 September 177424 July 1793
Muhammad Ali Khan Bahadur 24 July 179311 August 1793
Ghulam Muhammad Khan Bahadur 11 August 179324 October 1794
Ahmad Ali Khan Bahadur 24 October 17945 July 1840
Nasrullah Khan – Regent24 October 17941811
Muhammad Said Khan Bahadur 5 July 18401 April 1855
Yusef Ali Khan Bahadur 1 April 185521 April 1865
Kalb Ali Khan Bahadur 21 April 186523 March 1887
Muhammad Mushtaq Ali Khan Bahadur 23 March 188725 February 1889
Hamid Ali Khan Bahadur 25 February 188920 June 1930
Regency25 February 18894 April 1894
Raza Ali Khan Bahadur 20 June 19306 March 1966
Murtaza Ali Khan Bahadur – Titular6 March 19668 February 1982
Independence and accession to Indian Union

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rohilkhand</span> Region in Uttar Pradesh, India

Rohilkhand is a region in the northwestern part of Uttar Pradesh, India, that is centered on the Bareilly and Moradabad divisions. It is part of the upper Ganges Plain, and is named after the Rohilla tribe of Pathans. The region was called Madhyadesh and Panchala in the Sanskrit epics Mahabharata and Ramayana. During the colonial era in India, the region was governed by the Royal House of Rampur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rohilla</span> Pashtun-descended ethnic group of Uttar Pradesh, India

Rohillas are a mixed Indian community of Pashtun heritage, historically found in Rohilkhand, a region in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It forms the largest Pashtun diaspora community in India, and has given its name to the Rohilkhand region. The Rohilla military chiefs settled in this region of northern India in the 1720s, the first of whom was Ali Mohammed Khan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bareilly district</span> District of Uttar Pradesh in India

The Bareilly district belongs to the state Uttar Pradesh in northern India. Its capital is Bareilly city and it is divided in six administrative division or tehsils: Aonla, Baheri, Bareilly city, Faridpur, Mirganj, and Nawabganj. The Bareilly district is a part of the Bareilly Division and occupies an area of 4120 km2 with a population of 4,448,359 people according to the census of 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saharanpur district</span> District of Uttar Pradesh in India

Saharanpur district is the northernmost of the districts of Uttar Pradesh state, India. Bordering the states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, and close to the foothills of Shivalik range, it lies in the northern part of the Doab region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moradabad district</span> District of Uttar Pradesh in India

Moradabad district is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh, India. The city of Moradabad is the district headquarters. Moradabad district is part of Moradabad division. It used to be the second most populous district of Uttar Pradesh out of 75 after Prayagraj till a new district Sambhal was carved out of it in 2011.

Ali Muhammad Khan was a Rohilla chief who founded the Kingdom of Rohilkhand in the northwestern region of the Uttar Pradesh state of India. He succeeded his foster father Sardar Daud Khan Rohilla at the age of fourteen and was generally regarded as a non-oppressive ruler to the masses. He was well regarded for his political ability, and was granted the right to use India's highest insignia of the Mahseer by the Emperor Muhammad Shah. His young death along with the tender age of his children led to Hafiz Rehmat Khan's regency which was in large part governed against his wishes, despite Rehmat Khan's solemn oath on the Quran to fulfill dying Ali Mohammad's will.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Najib ad-Dawlah</span> Afghan Rohilla Chief and Mughal serviceman

Najib ad-Dawlah, also known as Najib Khan Yousafzai, was a Rohilla Yousafzai Afghan who earlier served as a Mughal serviceman but later deserted the cause of the Mughals and joined Ahmed Shah Abdali in 1757 in his attack on Delhi. He was also a House chief of Rohilkhand, and in the 1740s founded the city of Najibabad in Bijnor district, India. He was instrumental in winning the Third Battle of Panipat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First Rohilla War</span>

The First Rohilla War of 1773–1774 was a punitive campaign by Shuja-ud-Daula, Nawab of Awadh on the behalf of Mughal Emperor, against the Rohillas, Indian descendants of Afghan highlanders settled in Rohilkhand, northern India. The Nawab was supported by troops of the British East India Company, in a successful campaign brought about by the Rohillas reneging on a debt to the Nawab.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hafiz Rahmat Khan Barech</span> Afghan highlander (1723–1774)

Hafiz Rahmat Khan was the Regent of Rohilkhand in North India, from 1749 to 1774. He was a Pashtun by background, ruling over Rohillas. Hafiz Rahmat Khan had served honorably throughout the reign of three Mughal Emperors: Ahmad Shah Bahadur, Alamgir II and Shah Alam II. He was also a mentor of Prince Mirza Jawan Bakht.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Faizullah Khan</span> Nawab of Rampur

Nawab Faizullah Ali Khan was the first Nawab of Rampur. The princely state of Rampur was set up in year 1774, after the First Rohilla War, by the dismemberment of the Rohilla Kingdom of Rohilkhand. Faizullah Khan, the only surviving heir of Ali Mohammed Khan and opponent of the forces of Awadh and the British East India Company in the war, was installed as ruler of what was the newly created Rampur State. It bordered the Maratha Empire to the south, making it a strategic point. Under tutelage of the East India Company, Faizullah Khan ruled peacefully for 20 years. The capital Rampur was founded, and the Raza Library collection gathered.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rampur State</span> Princely state of India

Rampur State was a 15 gun-salute princely state of British India. It came into existence on 7 October 1774 as a result of a treaty with Oudh. Following independence in 1947, Rampur State and other princely states of the area, such as Benares and Tehri Garhwal were merged into the United Provinces. Rampur state had its capital in Rampur city and its total area was 945 sq miles. Rampur state was founded by Ali Mohammad Khan's younger son Faizullah Khan.

Jat Muslim or Musalman Jat, also spelled Jatt or Jutt, are an elastic and diverse ethno-social subgroup of the Jat people, who are composed of followers of Islam and are native to the northern regions of the Indian subcontinent. They are found primarily throughout the Sindh and Punjab regions of Pakistan. Jats began converting to Islam from the early Middle Ages onward and constitute a distinct subgroup within the diverse community of Jat people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Bareilly</span>

According to the epic Mahābhārata, Bareilly region (Panchala) is said to be the birthplace of Draupadi, who was also referred to as 'Panchali' by Kṛṣṇā. When Yudhishthira becomes the king of Hastinapura at the end of the Mahābhārata, Draupadi becomes his queen. The folklore says that Gautama Buddha had once visited the ancient fortress city of Ahicchattra in Bareilly. The Jain Tirthankara Parshva is said to have attained Kaivalya at Ahichhatra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Second Rohilla War</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abdullah Khan of Rohilkhand</span> Nawab Of Rohilkhand

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saadullah Khan of Rohilkhand</span> Nawab Of Rohilkhand

Nawab Abdullah Khan Bahadur Rohilla was the third son of Nawab Ali Muhammad Khan of Rohilkhand and succeed his brother to the throne of Rohilkhand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muhammad Yar Khan of Bareilly</span> Nawab Of Bareilly

Nawab Muhammad Yar Khan Bahadur Rohilla was the fourth son of Nawab Ali Muhammad Khan and upon the division of his father's realms he was made the Nawab of Bareilly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kingdom of Rohilkhand</span> Early modern kingdom in North India (1721–1774)

The Kingdom of Rohilkhand was a late modern Indian kingdom under nominal Mughal suzerainty, that rose under the declining Mughal Empire in 1721 and continued to exist until 1774 when it was defeated by Oudh the British transformed its significantly reduced borders into the princely state of Rampur. Nawab Ali Mohammed Khan became the first Nawab of Rohilkhand, having been previously elected as overlord by various Afghan chiefs at the age of fourteen. He would carve out the future kingdom from the collapsing Mughal Empire and go on to the found the Rohilla dynasty. The crown would go on being held by the Rohillas until the kingdom came to an end in 1774, and thereafter the same dynasty would rule over Rampur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barha dynasty</span>

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Muhammad Ahmad Khan Bahadur Ghalib Jang or Ahmad Khan Bangash (1750–1771) was a Mughal nobleman and Nawab of Farrukhabad from the Hindustani Pathan Bangash dynasty. He was the second son of Muhammad Khan Bangash, a powerful Mughal nobleman. He took part in the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761 against the Marathas led by Sadashivrao Bhau.

References

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  9. Saxena, Naresh Chandra. What Ails the IAS and Why It Fails to Deliver: An Insider's View. pp. Chapter 7.
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  12. Irvine, W. (1971). Later Mughal. Atlantic Publishers & Distri. p. 118. Retrieved 30 July 2022. Once Daud was sent against the village of Bankauli, in pargana Chaumahla, with which his employer was at feud. Along with the plunder taken on this occasion Daud obtained possession of a Jat boy seven or eight years of age, whom he caused to be circumcised and then adopted under the name of Ali Muhammad Khan.
  13. 1 2 Ḥusain, M.; Pakistan Historical Society (1957). A History of the Freedom Movement: 1707-1831. A History of the Freedom Movement: Being the Story of Muslim Struggle for the Freedom of Hind-Pakistan, 1707-1947. Pakistan Historical Society. p. 304. Retrieved 30 July 2022. Amongst other prisoners he obtained a young Jat boy of eight years . Daud took a fancy to him and adopted him as his son and named him ' Ali Muhammad Khan.
  14. 1 2 Gommans, Jos J. L. (1995). The Rise of the Indo-Afghan Empire: C. 1710-1780. BRILL. p. 120. ISBN   978-90-04-10109-8. Most of the contemporary sources, however, call him a Jat or an Ahir.
  15. 1 2 Strachey, Sir John (1892). Hastings and the Rohilla War. Clarendon Press. p. 11. ...this remarkable chief was not an Afghan by birth, but a Hindu, a Jat by caste.
  16. Strachey, Sir John (1892). Hastings and the Rohilla War. Clarendon Press, Oxford University. p.  10–14.
  17. Hamilton, Charles. An Historical Relation of the origin, progress and final dissolution of the Rohilla Afghans in the northern provinces of Hindostan. pp. 90–92.
  18. Hamilton, Charles. An Historical Relation of the rise and fall of the Rohilla Afghan in the Northern Provinces of India. p. 90.
  19. Strachey, Sir John (1892). Warren Hastings and the Rohillas. p. 19.
  20. Hamilton, Charles. An Historical Relation of the rise and fall of the Rohilla Afghan in the Northern Provinces of India. p. 93.
  21. "Qayem Chaandpuri - Profile & Biography".
  22. Prasad, Alok (2011). "The Rohilla 'revolution' of 1794". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 72: 663–669. ISSN   2249-1937. JSTOR   44146759.
  23. "How a Nawab humiliated his proud Begum on Nauroz in Rampur". www.dailyo.in.
  24. Lethbridge, Sir Robert. The Golden Handbook. p. 455.
  25. Kazim, Syed. "A critical study of the role and achievements of Sayyid brothers". Shodhganga: 22. hdl:10603/52425.
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  27. Srivastava, Ashirbadi Lal. The First Two Nawabs Of Oudh. p. 103. Retrieved 17 January 2023. Contemporary Persian authorities say that Ali Muhammad Khan was of Jat parents . See Gulistan . 7 ; Abdulkarim . 88b ; Ashob . 424 ; Siyar II . 480. A partisan attempt has, however, been made in morden times to prove that he was a Sayyid. Najmul Ghani of Rampur has invented a false pedigree of the Khan , tracing it to Muhammad. The Maulvi's discussion is altogether unconvincing and thoroughly ridiculous. His object is to prove that the present ruler of Rampur is a Sayyid.