Khanzada (Awadh)
Encyclopedia
The Khanzada or Khan Zadeh are a community of Hindu
converted Muslim Rajputs, found in the Awadh
region of the state of Uttar Pradesh
in India
. A few are also found in the state of Bihar
. This community is distinct from the Rajasthan
Khanzada
s, who are also a community of Muslim Rajputs. They also refer to themselves as Musalmaan Rajputs, or sometimes just Rajput
s. In Bihar
, they are also known as Diwani Pathans, from the Persian
word divan
دیوان, which means a royal court, on account of the Rajput converts being giving the status of Pathan
by the royal court. In addition, a small number of Khanzada are also found in the Terai
region of Nepal
. After independence of Pakistan
in 1947, many members of this community migrated to Pakistan and settled mainly in Karachi
.
means son of a khan, or king. This has literally the same meaning as the word Rajput
, which also means son of a king in Sanskrit
. The term khanzada originally applied to the Bachgoti
Rajput
family of the Rajahs of Hassanpur
. They were said to have converted to Islam
during the rule of Sher Shah Suri
. This family claimed descent from Bariar Singh, a Bachgoti Rajput, who said to have emigrated from Sultanpur
in the 13th Century. The Bachgoti had started off as a clan of the Chauhan
Rajputs of Mainpuri
. Bariar Singh's grandson, Tilok Chand was captured in battle by the Mughal
Emperor Babar
, who was allowed to choose between the adoption of the faith of Islam
and a quick release, or a long imprisonment. Tilok Chand decided to convert to Islam
, and took the name the Tatar Khan, and his grandson Hasan Khan, is the ancestor of the Bachgoti Khanzada
family of Hasanpur
.
Each Khanzada clan has its own tradition as to when they converted to Islam
. The community that claims to be the first to convert to Islam
are the Dikhit Khanzada
of Banda District
, who are said to have been converted at the hands of Mohammad Ghori, some eight centuries ago, and calls themselves Ghori Dikhit. Other clans, such as the Chandel
of Hardoi District
are said to have converted during the rule of Sher Shah Suri
. Over time, a number of other Rajput
clans in what is now eastern Uttar Pradesh
also converted to Islam
. Many of these Rajput
converts were granted estates or talukas, and estate holders were referred to as taluqdar
s. The history of the Awadh
region is in many ways the history of the various taluqdar
families, and their struggle with both the Mughal
s and then the Nawabs of Awadh. While taluqdar
s formed as special social class, the bulk of the Khanzada remained a community of peasent proprietors. Included among the Khanzada were immigrants Rajput clans from the Punjab
, such as Johiya
of Chail
, the Khokhar
of Kot and Bhatti
of Yahiapur. In Pratapgarh District, the Khanzadas included representatives of several well known Rajput
tribes such as the Bisen
, Rajkumar, Bachgoti
, Bhale Sultan
, Sombansi, Bais, Kanhpuriya, Bharsaiyan
, Mandarkia
and Bilkharya. Traditionally the Bilkhariya and Bhale Sultan Khanzada are endogamous, while other groups are exogamous. The Mandarkia
and Bharsaiyan
are both strictly endogamous groupings, and as such differ from other Khanzada groupings who follow the custom of clan exogamy.
From the middle of the 19th Century, the term Khanzada was extended to refer to all those Rajput
clans, who had converted to Islam
in Awadh
and neighbouring Benaras division. The term is now used in the same manner as the term Ranghar
, which refers to any Muslim Rajput in western Uttar Pradesh
,and Khanzada is now used to describe any of the Muslim Rajput clans of eastern Uttar Pradesh
. In addition, the Muslim Bhumihar
of Ghazipur District
are also included within the Khanzada category.
. The biradari, or lineage is one of the principal point of reference for the Khanzadas, and all biradaris claim descent from a common ancestor. Often biradaris inhabit a cluster of villages called chaurasis (84 villages), chatisis (36 villages) and chabisis (26 villages). Important biradaris include the Bachgoti
, Bais, Bhale Sultan
, Bisen
, Bhatti
, Chauhan
, Chandel
, Gautam
, Sombansi and Panwar. The Khanzada did and many still do practice biradari exogamy, and often also marrying out of their district. But unlike their Hindu
Rajput
kinsmen, there is no system of clan hierarchy, with all the main clans intermarrying. The Khokhar Khanzada
of Fatehpur district
are unique, in that marry with in the biradari, and practice both parallel cousins and cross cousin marriages. Historically, the Khanzada were endogamous, but there are now cases of intermarriage with the Mughal
and Pathan
communities, who are roughly of the same status.
The sense of community belonging remains strong, with the Khanzada still strongly identifying themselves with the wider Rajput
community of Awadh
, and often refer to themselves as simply Rajput
. This is shown by the persistence in their marriages of Rajput customs, like bursting of fire crackers and sending specially made laddoos
to biradari members. The wedding ceremony itself of the Khanzada continue to retain many Hindu rituals, the bridegroom sports a safa (headgear) like the Hindus do and a raucous band is a must in a wedding procession as are firecrackers. Many members of the community continue to serve in the armed forces of India
, an activity traditionally associated with the Rajputs. This fusion of culture goes beyond just customs. Among some groups like the Gautam Khanzada
of Fatehpur
and Banda
districts in southern Uttar Pradesh
, Rajput traditions have eclipsed the religious divide and forged a common identity with the Hindu Gautam Thakurs. Hindu Gautam Thakurs participate in Muslim Gautam functions and vice versa. These intercommunity functions include religious ones as well. The Gautam Muslims help organise Holi milans, Ram Lilas and kirtans.
In northern Awadh
, a region comprising roughly Barabanki District
in south east to Lakhimpur Kheri District in the north west, the Khanzada have a followed a slightly different path, with a stronger identification with Islam
. In a recent study of a Chauhan Khanzada village in Raisenghat Tehsil of Barabanki District
, this particular community was seen to be strongly identifying with neighbouring Pathan
communities, and there was increasingly intermarriage between the two groups. There economic condition in this region is also been affected, with a dwindling in the size of their farms, especially in Shravasti
and Balrampur
districts. Many are now, in fact, landless agricultural labourers.
The Khanzada, however have been badly affected by abolishion of the zamindar
i system, with many now destitute. They still remain a land owning community, but those especially in Balrampur
, Gonda
and Bahraich
are now simply agricultural labourers. The community are also divided on sectarian lines, with the majority being Sunni, while a minority, mainly the ex-taluqdar
families being Shia. Like other Indian Muslims, there is growing movement towards orthodoxy, with many of their villages containing madrasas. The madrasas have also facilitated the growth of Urdu
, with it beginning to replace the Awadhi dialect they traditionally spoke.
The Khanzada are distributed throughout Awadh
and Purvanchal
regions, with special concentrations in Gonda
, Balrampur
and Sultanpur
districts. Historically, the term Khanzada was initially used for the Bachgoti
Hassanpur family, who are said to have originated from Sultanpur District
, and the Bachgoti remains one of the larger Khanzada clans.
, they are found mainly in Miranpur
, Gaura
, Jagdishpur, Aldemau and Asauli. Other clans in the district include the Bisen, Chauhan
, Kanhpuria and Raghubansi.
The Hassanpur family were also substantial land owmers in Faizabad District
, and together with their kinsmen the Rajahs of Maniarpur and Gageo, provided some of the larger Talukdar families in Awadh
. Other clans found in Faizabad District
included the Sikarwar of Akbarpur
and Tanda
, the Bachgoti
and Panwar of Tanda
, the Bisen in Faizabad
, and the Bhale Sultan of Khandansa.
In Unnao district
, the Khanzada belong mainly to the Sengar, Dikhit and Bais Rajput
s.
In Raebareli District
, they belong chiefly to the Bais
of Inhauna and Behua, the Chauhan
s and Bhale Sultans of Maharajganj
and Gaharwar of Salon
.
In Hardoi District
, the Chandel
are found in Bilgram
, other important clans include the Ahbans
, Bais
, Raikwar, Sombansi, Janwar and Gaur.
The district of Gonda
is home to the largest concentrations of Khanzada. According 1901 Census of India, they numbered about 40,948. They are found mainly in Utraula
tehsil
now in Balrampur District
, where they belong mainly to the Chauhan
and Bais
clans. Other clans in the district include the Bisen, Bhale Sultan, Gautam
, Kalhans and Panwar clans.
After Gonda, Lakhimpur Kheri District is home to the second largest community of Khanzadas. They are found mainly in and around the towns of Nighasan and Lakhimpur Kheri
. Most of them belong to the Ahbans, concentrated in Lakhimpur. After the Ahbans
, the Chauhan
s are the second largest clan, concentrated in Nighasan. The Gautam
, Sombansi and Janwar are found mainly in Lakhimpur, while the Gaur
are found mainly in Nighasan. Other clans include the Panwar and Katehriya of Muhamdi.
In neighbouring Bahraich District
, the Khanzada belong mainly to the Chauhan
, Bais, Bisen
, Bhatti and Bhale Sultan
clans. Their villages are found mainly near the border with Nepal
, a significant number settled in the Terai
region of Nepal
, in the 19th Century. Part of the old Bahraich District
was separated to form the new Shrasvasti District, where there is a large settlement of Chauhan Khanzadas.
In Sitapur District
, the Khanzada are found mainly in Sitapur
and Biswan
tehsil
s. The most numerous clan are the Chauhan
, found throughout the district, the Bisen in Biswan
, Bais
in Sitapur
, and the Gautam
and Gaur
in Sitapur
. Other clans include Bachhil , Janwar, Rathore
and Sombansi.
In Pratapgarh District, the main clans are the Bais
of Pratapgarh
and Kunda
, the Bachgoti of Patti and the Chauhan
and Raikwar found in the east of the district.
In Barabanki District
, they are concentrated mainly in Ramasanehighat. Historically, the district was home to number of Khanzada talukdar families, such as the Bhatti Rajas of Neorua and Barauli and the Bisen Khanzada
of Usmanpur. The chief clans of the district were the Bais
, Bhatti, Bisen, Bhale Sultan
, Chauhan
, Panwar, Raikwar and Surajbansi.
Here is a list of Khanzada clans taken from 1891 Census of India.
are found mainly in Padrauna
(now in Kushinagar District
), Gorakhpur
and Deoria. The chief clans are the Bais
, Bisen
, Chandel
, Chauhan
, Dikhit
, Panwar, Raghubansi and Surajbansi. A good number of the Khanzada are simply referred to as Pathans, a term that also used in Balia
and other districts of the Varanasi
divisions.
In Basti District, they are concentrated mainly in Domariagang and Khalilabad
tehsils. They belong mainly to the Bais, Bisen
, Chauhan
, Chandel
, Gautam
, Janwar, Panwar, Sombansi, Surajbansi and Tomar
clans.
In Azamgarh District
, the majority of Khanzada are found in Muhammadabad
, Sagri and Mahul
. Their main clans are the Bai, Bisen
, Chauhan
and Panwar. The Chauhan are found mainly in Azamgarh
, Deogaon
and Mahul
, the Bais
are found in Sagri, the Bisen in Deogaon
and Panwar in Muhammadabad
. The Rajahs of Azamgarh were Gautam Khanzada
s.
The main clans in Fatehpur District
are the Gautam
, Dikhit
, Bais and Chauhan
. In addition to these clans, the district is also home to the Khokhar Khanzada
, a community of immigrant Rajput
s found mainly in and around the town of Kot. Of the other clans, the Gautam are found mainly in Kora Jahanabad
, Bindki
and Kutia Gunir, the Bais are found mainly in Haswa, Fatehpur
and Ghazipur, the Dikhit are found mainly in Lalauli, and the Chauhan in Katila.
In Banda District
, the Khanzada belong mainly to the Dikhit, Bais and Gautam clans. They are concentrated in Pailani tehsil.
In Allahabad District
, the Khanzada are found mainly in Phulpur
and Handia
, and are drawn from several clans. The main ones being the Chauhan
and Baghela
, the latter are descended from a chieftain from the royal house of Rewah
, who was granted a jagir
by the Mughal
Emperor Akbar, on his conversion to Islam
. Other clans include the Bais
, Gaharwar and Dikhit. The Chauhan Khanzada are often referred to as the Mainpuri
Chauhan
, on account from their descent from the Chauhan Rajahs of Mainpuri
. In additions to these clans, the district is also home to a community of immigrants Rajput
s from Punjab
, known as the Johiya Khanzada
, who are found in Chail
.
In Jaunpur District
, the Khanzada are found mainly in Khutanah, and are decedents of several clans such as the Bachgoti, Bais
, Chauhan
, Gautam, Sikarwar and Sisodia
. The Bais are the largest clan, and their main settlements are along the Gomti River
. While the Bachgoti are found mainly in Machhlishahr
, and historically provided several taluqdar
families.
In Ghazipur District
, the Khanzada are very numerous and are found throughout the district but special concentrations are around Zamaniah, Mohammadabad, Mau
and Ghazipur town. They are mostly Bais
, Gaharwar, Bhatti, Sikarwar
, Chauhan
, Donwar and Dikhit
. The Sikarwar are said to have converted to Islam
during the rule of the Mughal
Emperor Aurangzeb
, while other clans were converted under Lodhi
rule. Many of the Khanzada villages are situayed near the town of Dildarnagar
. They take the surname of Khan and are a fairly orthodox community like the Khanzada of Azamgarh.
In Ballia district
, the Khanzada belong to the Chauhan
clan, and are found mainly in Rasra
. The district is also home to small number of Sukurwar clan, which is only found in the district.
In Mirzapur District
, the Khanzadas belong to a single family, the Gaharwar Rajah of Kera-Mangraur.
In Bihar
, the Khanzada, or as they are known Diwani Pathan, are found in the Bhojpur region, in the districts of Kaimur
, Rohtas
, Buxar Bhojpur
and Saran
. In Saran
, they belong mainly to the Bais, Bisen
and Ujjainiya
clans, and their villages are found in and around the town of Chainur. They are entirely Sunni, and their conversions is said to have occurred in the 16th Century, during the period of the rule of the Suri Dynasty.
Sher Shah Suri
, the founder of the Suri Dynasty was born in Sasaram
, in Rohtas district
, and started his military career in the Bhojpur region. His is personally said to be responsible for the conversion of a number of Diwani Pathans to Islam
. Like other communities in the region, they speak Bhojpuri.
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
converted Muslim Rajputs, found in the Awadh
Awadh
Awadh , also known in various British historical texts as Oudh or Oude derived from Ayodhya, is a region in the centre of the modern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, which was before independence known as the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh...
region of the state of Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. A few are also found in the state of Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
. This community is distinct from the Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
Khanzada
Khanzada
The Khanzada, or Khanzadah, is a subdivision of Rajputs, now found mainly in the Rajasthan, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh of India; and Sindh, Punjab provinces of Pakistan. Khanzadahs, the royal family of Muslim Jadon Rajputs, accepted Islam on their association with the Sufi Saints...
s, who are also a community of Muslim Rajputs. They also refer to themselves as Musalmaan Rajputs, or sometimes just Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
s. In Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
, they are also known as Diwani Pathans, from the Persian
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
word divan
Divan
A divan was a high governmental body in a number of Islamic states, or its chief official .-Etymology:...
دیوان, which means a royal court, on account of the Rajput converts being giving the status of Pathan
Pashtun people
Pashtuns or Pathans , also known as ethnic Afghans , are an Eastern Iranic ethnic group with populations primarily between the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan and the Indus River in Pakistan...
by the royal court. In addition, a small number of Khanzada are also found in the Terai
Terai
The Terai is a belt of marshy grasslands, savannas, and forests located south of the outer foothills of the Himalaya, the Siwalik Hills, and north of the Indo-Gangetic Plain of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and their tributaries. The Terai belongs to the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands ecoregion...
region of Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
. After independence of Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
in 1947, many members of this community migrated to Pakistan and settled mainly in Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
.
History and origin
The word Khanzada in PersianPersian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
means son of a khan, or king. This has literally the same meaning as the word Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
, which also means son of a king in Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
. The term khanzada originally applied to the Bachgoti
Bachgoti
- Origin :The Bachgoti claim descent from Chauhan Rajputs, settled in Mainpuri. These Mainpuri Chauhan fled Delhi under the leadership of Bariar Singh. The fugitives settled in Sultanpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh. According to their traditions, they are descended from Rana Sangat, a great nephew of...
Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
family of the Rajahs of Hassanpur
Hassanpur
Hassanpur is a city and a Gram Panchiyat in Palwal district in the Indian state of Haryana-Meaning:Hassan is a very common Arabic name.pur means "son of"....
. They were said to have converted to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
during the rule of Sher Shah Suri
Sher Shah Suri
Sher Shah Suri , birth name Farid Khan, also known as Sher Khan , was the founder of the short-lived Sur Empire in northern India, with its capital at Delhi, before its demise in the hands of the resurgent Mughal Empire...
. This family claimed descent from Bariar Singh, a Bachgoti Rajput, who said to have emigrated from Sultanpur
Sultanpur
Sultanpur is a city and a municipal board in Sultanpur district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is located in the geographic center of and is the administrative headquarters of Sultanpur District. It is an ancient town situated on the right bank of Gomati River, to the south east of...
in the 13th Century. The Bachgoti had started off as a clan of the Chauhan
Chauhan
Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan...
Rajputs of Mainpuri
Mainpuri
Mainpuri is a city and a municipal board in Mainpuri district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is the administrative headquarters of the Mainpuri district and is situated to the north-east of Agra.-Geography:...
. Bariar Singh's grandson, Tilok Chand was captured in battle by the Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
Emperor Babar
Babur
Babur was a Muslim conqueror from Central Asia who, following a series of setbacks, finally succeeded in laying the basis for the Mughal dynasty of South Asia. He was a direct descendant of Timur through his father, and a descendant also of Genghis Khan through his mother...
, who was allowed to choose between the adoption of the faith of Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
and a quick release, or a long imprisonment. Tilok Chand decided to convert to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, and took the name the Tatar Khan, and his grandson Hasan Khan, is the ancestor of the Bachgoti Khanzada
Bachgoti Khanzada
The Bachgoti Khanzada are a Muslim community found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. They are sub-group with in the larger Khanzada community of eastern Uttar Pradesh. Common surnames include khan and kunwar.- Origin :...
family of Hasanpur
Hasanpur
Hasanpur is a city and a municipal board in Jyotiba Phule Nagar district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.-Education:RGM Computer Education & V.T.I. Near munsifi Branch...
.
Each Khanzada clan has its own tradition as to when they converted to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
. The community that claims to be the first to convert to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
are the Dikhit Khanzada
Dikhit Khanzada
The Dikhit Khanzada are a sub-group wirthin the Khanzada community found in eastern Uttar Pradesh in India. They also refer to themselves as Dikhit Thakurs or sometimes just Thakurs...
of Banda District
Banda District
Banda district is a district of Uttar Pradesh state of India, and Banda is the district headquarters. It is a part of Chitrakoot Division.Banda is famous for its Shajar stone, used for making jewellery, and the historically and architecturally significant sites Khajuraho and Kalinjar. Khajuraho is...
, who are said to have been converted at the hands of Mohammad Ghori, some eight centuries ago, and calls themselves Ghori Dikhit. Other clans, such as the Chandel
Chandel Khanzada
The Chandel Khanzada are a Muslim community found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. They are part of the larger Khanzada community found in the Awadh region. The community uses the surname Khan.-Origin:...
of Hardoi District
Hardoi District
Hardoi disctrict is a district of Uttar Pradesh, India, and Hardoi town is the district headquarters. Hardoi district is a part of Lucknow division.-Economy:...
are said to have converted during the rule of Sher Shah Suri
Sher Shah Suri
Sher Shah Suri , birth name Farid Khan, also known as Sher Khan , was the founder of the short-lived Sur Empire in northern India, with its capital at Delhi, before its demise in the hands of the resurgent Mughal Empire...
. Over time, a number of other Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
clans in what is now eastern Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
also converted to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
. Many of these Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
converts were granted estates or talukas, and estate holders were referred to as taluqdar
Taluqdar
A taluqdar or talukdar , is a term used for Indian land holders in Mughal and British times, responsible for collecting taxes from a district...
s. The history of the Awadh
Awadh
Awadh , also known in various British historical texts as Oudh or Oude derived from Ayodhya, is a region in the centre of the modern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, which was before independence known as the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh...
region is in many ways the history of the various taluqdar
Taluqdar
A taluqdar or talukdar , is a term used for Indian land holders in Mughal and British times, responsible for collecting taxes from a district...
families, and their struggle with both the Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
s and then the Nawabs of Awadh. While taluqdar
Taluqdar
A taluqdar or talukdar , is a term used for Indian land holders in Mughal and British times, responsible for collecting taxes from a district...
s formed as special social class, the bulk of the Khanzada remained a community of peasent proprietors. Included among the Khanzada were immigrants Rajput clans from the Punjab
Punjab region
The Punjab , also spelled Panjab |water]]s"), is a geographical region straddling the border between Pakistan and India which includes Punjab province in Pakistan and the states of the Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and some northern parts of the National Capital Territory of Delhi...
, such as Johiya
Johiya Khanzada
The Johiya Khanzada are a Muslim community found in eastern part of the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. They are a sub-group within the larger Khanzada community. The Johiya are found mainly near Chail and Khairagarh, in Allahabad District. They a cluster of eighty four villages, known as chaurasi...
of Chail
Chail, Uttar Pradesh
Chail is a town and a nagar panchayat in Kaushambi district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.-Demographics: India census, Chail had a population of 7726. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Chail has an average literacy rate of 41%, lower than the national average of 59.5%;...
, the Khokhar
Khokhar Khanzada
The Khokhar Khanzada are a Muslim Rajput community found mainly in the Fatehpur district of Uttar Pradesh in India. They have no connection with the Ranghar Khokhar of Moradabad district in western Uttar Pradesh, another community of Muslim Khokhars settled in Uttar Pradesh. The Khokhar are a well...
of Kot and Bhatti
Bhatti Khanzada
The Bhatti Khanzada of Awadh are a Muslim Rajput community found mainly in the Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh in India. There is also a distinct community of Bhattis found in the village of Yahiapur in Pratapgarh district. The Awadh region covers most of the eastern areas of Uttar Pradesh, and...
of Yahiapur. In Pratapgarh District, the Khanzadas included representatives of several well known Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
tribes such as the Bisen
Bisen
Bisen/Vishen are the Suryavanshi Rajput clan found in North India, mainly in the state of Uttar Pradesh.They trace their descent from Raja Prithvi Mull of Majhaul, and get their name from the Sanskrit words visva meaning "entire" and sena means an "army".In other words it connotes those who have...
, Rajkumar, Bachgoti
Bachgoti
- Origin :The Bachgoti claim descent from Chauhan Rajputs, settled in Mainpuri. These Mainpuri Chauhan fled Delhi under the leadership of Bariar Singh. The fugitives settled in Sultanpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh. According to their traditions, they are descended from Rana Sangat, a great nephew of...
, Bhale Sultan
Bhale Sultan
- Origin :The Bhale Sultan get their name from the Sanskrit bhala or javelin and the Arabic word sultan or ruler. Their name therefore means the ruler’s javelin or spear, and this name is said to have been bestowed upon them by the Mohammed Ghori. There are two traditions as to the origin of the...
, Sombansi, Bais, Kanhpuriya, Bharsaiyan
Bharsaiyan
The Bharsaiyan or Bharaiyan are a Rajput clan found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India.-Origin:The word Bharsaiyan is said to be a corruption of the word bhainsauliyan or a native of the town of Bhaisaul, where the tribe is said to have originated from. They claim to be a clan of Mainpuri...
, Mandarkia
Mandarkia
- Origin :The Mandarkia claim to be a clan of the Sombansi Rajputs of Awadh. They trace their descent from one Kishan Chand, a Sombansi Rajput, who is also said to have founded the town of Kishni. A descenndent of Kishan Chand was Mandar Sah, from whom they get their name. A section of the...
and Bilkharya. Traditionally the Bilkhariya and Bhale Sultan Khanzada are endogamous, while other groups are exogamous. The Mandarkia
Mandarkia
- Origin :The Mandarkia claim to be a clan of the Sombansi Rajputs of Awadh. They trace their descent from one Kishan Chand, a Sombansi Rajput, who is also said to have founded the town of Kishni. A descenndent of Kishan Chand was Mandar Sah, from whom they get their name. A section of the...
and Bharsaiyan
Bharsaiyan
The Bharsaiyan or Bharaiyan are a Rajput clan found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India.-Origin:The word Bharsaiyan is said to be a corruption of the word bhainsauliyan or a native of the town of Bhaisaul, where the tribe is said to have originated from. They claim to be a clan of Mainpuri...
are both strictly endogamous groupings, and as such differ from other Khanzada groupings who follow the custom of clan exogamy.
From the middle of the 19th Century, the term Khanzada was extended to refer to all those Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
clans, who had converted to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
in Awadh
Awadh
Awadh , also known in various British historical texts as Oudh or Oude derived from Ayodhya, is a region in the centre of the modern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, which was before independence known as the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh...
and neighbouring Benaras division. The term is now used in the same manner as the term Ranghar
Ranghar
Ranghar are a Muslim ethnic group, which is found in Sindh and Punjab provinces of Pakistan and Haryana and Uttar Pradesh states of India. Ranghar were native to Indian state of Haryana and also found in the Doab region of Uttar Pradesh, as well as Delhi in India...
, which refers to any Muslim Rajput in western Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
,and Khanzada is now used to describe any of the Muslim Rajput clans of eastern Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
. In addition, the Muslim Bhumihar
Muslim Bhumihar
The Muslim Bhumihar or sometimes pronounced as Bhuinhar are a Muslim community found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. They are also known as Bhumihar Pathan and are found mainly in the district of Ghazipur...
of Ghazipur District
Ghazipur District
Ghazipur District is a district of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. The city of Ghazipur is the district headquarters. The district is part of Varanasi Division...
are also included within the Khanzada category.
Present circumstances
The Khanzada comprise a large numbered of dispersed intermarrying clans. These exogamous groups are made up of myriad landholding patrilineages of varying genealogical depth, ritual, and social status called biradaries or brotherhoods scattered in the various districts of eastern Uttar PradeshUttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
. The biradari, or lineage is one of the principal point of reference for the Khanzadas, and all biradaris claim descent from a common ancestor. Often biradaris inhabit a cluster of villages called chaurasis (84 villages), chatisis (36 villages) and chabisis (26 villages). Important biradaris include the Bachgoti
Bachgoti Khanzada
The Bachgoti Khanzada are a Muslim community found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. They are sub-group with in the larger Khanzada community of eastern Uttar Pradesh. Common surnames include khan and kunwar.- Origin :...
, Bais, Bhale Sultan
Bhale Sultan Khanzada
The Bhale Sultan Khanzada are a Muslim community found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. They are a sub-group within the Khanzada community of eastern Uttar Pradesh.-Origin:...
, Bisen
Bisen Khanzada
The Bisen Khanzada are a Muslim community found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. They are a part of the wider Khanzada community of eastern Uttar Pradesh. The community uses the surname khan.-Origin:...
, Bhatti
Bhatti Khanzada
The Bhatti Khanzada of Awadh are a Muslim Rajput community found mainly in the Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh in India. There is also a distinct community of Bhattis found in the village of Yahiapur in Pratapgarh district. The Awadh region covers most of the eastern areas of Uttar Pradesh, and...
, Chauhan
Chauhan
Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan...
, Chandel
Chandel Khanzada
The Chandel Khanzada are a Muslim community found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. They are part of the larger Khanzada community found in the Awadh region. The community uses the surname Khan.-Origin:...
, Gautam
Gautam Khanzada
The Gautam Khanzada are a sub-group wirthin the Khanzada community found in eastern Uttar Pradesh in India. They also refer to themselves as Gautam Thakurs. The Gautam Khanzada are Muslim converts from the Gautam community.-Origin:...
, Sombansi and Panwar. The Khanzada did and many still do practice biradari exogamy, and often also marrying out of their district. But unlike their Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
kinsmen, there is no system of clan hierarchy, with all the main clans intermarrying. The Khokhar Khanzada
Khokhar Khanzada
The Khokhar Khanzada are a Muslim Rajput community found mainly in the Fatehpur district of Uttar Pradesh in India. They have no connection with the Ranghar Khokhar of Moradabad district in western Uttar Pradesh, another community of Muslim Khokhars settled in Uttar Pradesh. The Khokhar are a well...
of Fatehpur district
Fatehpur district
Fatehpur district is one of the 71 districts of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. The district covers an area of 4,152 km². The district has a population of 2,308,384 . Fatehpur city is the administrative headquarters of the district. Located on the banks of the sacred rivers Ganges and...
are unique, in that marry with in the biradari, and practice both parallel cousins and cross cousin marriages. Historically, the Khanzada were endogamous, but there are now cases of intermarriage with the Mughal
Mughal (tribe)
The term Mughal is simply a Turkic word and many groups in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh use the term Mughal to describe themselves...
and Pathan
Pathans of Uttar Pradesh
The Pathans of Uttar Pradesh , have a large community of Pashtuns in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India, who form one of the largest Muslim communities in the state...
communities, who are roughly of the same status.
The sense of community belonging remains strong, with the Khanzada still strongly identifying themselves with the wider Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
community of Awadh
Awadh
Awadh , also known in various British historical texts as Oudh or Oude derived from Ayodhya, is a region in the centre of the modern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, which was before independence known as the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh...
, and often refer to themselves as simply Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
. This is shown by the persistence in their marriages of Rajput customs, like bursting of fire crackers and sending specially made laddoos
Laddu
Laddu or Laddoo is a ball-shaped sweet popular in South Asian countries including India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh as well as countries with immigrants from South Asia. Laddu is made of flour and sugar with other ingredients that vary by recipe...
to biradari members. The wedding ceremony itself of the Khanzada continue to retain many Hindu rituals, the bridegroom sports a safa (headgear) like the Hindus do and a raucous band is a must in a wedding procession as are firecrackers. Many members of the community continue to serve in the armed forces of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, an activity traditionally associated with the Rajputs. This fusion of culture goes beyond just customs. Among some groups like the Gautam Khanzada
Gautam Khanzada
The Gautam Khanzada are a sub-group wirthin the Khanzada community found in eastern Uttar Pradesh in India. They also refer to themselves as Gautam Thakurs. The Gautam Khanzada are Muslim converts from the Gautam community.-Origin:...
of Fatehpur
Fatehpur district
Fatehpur district is one of the 71 districts of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. The district covers an area of 4,152 km². The district has a population of 2,308,384 . Fatehpur city is the administrative headquarters of the district. Located on the banks of the sacred rivers Ganges and...
and Banda
Banda District
Banda district is a district of Uttar Pradesh state of India, and Banda is the district headquarters. It is a part of Chitrakoot Division.Banda is famous for its Shajar stone, used for making jewellery, and the historically and architecturally significant sites Khajuraho and Kalinjar. Khajuraho is...
districts in southern Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
, Rajput traditions have eclipsed the religious divide and forged a common identity with the Hindu Gautam Thakurs. Hindu Gautam Thakurs participate in Muslim Gautam functions and vice versa. These intercommunity functions include religious ones as well. The Gautam Muslims help organise Holi milans, Ram Lilas and kirtans.
In northern Awadh
Awadh
Awadh , also known in various British historical texts as Oudh or Oude derived from Ayodhya, is a region in the centre of the modern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, which was before independence known as the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh...
, a region comprising roughly Barabanki District
Barabanki District
The Barabanki district is one of four districts of Faizabad division, lies at the very heart of Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh state of India, and forms as it were a centre from which no less than seven other districts radiate...
in south east to Lakhimpur Kheri District in the north west, the Khanzada have a followed a slightly different path, with a stronger identification with Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
. In a recent study of a Chauhan Khanzada village in Raisenghat Tehsil of Barabanki District
Barabanki District
The Barabanki district is one of four districts of Faizabad division, lies at the very heart of Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh state of India, and forms as it were a centre from which no less than seven other districts radiate...
, this particular community was seen to be strongly identifying with neighbouring Pathan
Pathans of Uttar Pradesh
The Pathans of Uttar Pradesh , have a large community of Pashtuns in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India, who form one of the largest Muslim communities in the state...
communities, and there was increasingly intermarriage between the two groups. There economic condition in this region is also been affected, with a dwindling in the size of their farms, especially in Shravasti
Shravasti District
Shravasti District is one of the districts of the Uttar Pradesh state of India and Bhinga town is district headquarter. Shravasti district is a part of Devipatan Division...
and Balrampur
Balrampur district
Balrampur district is one of the 72 districts of Uttar Pradesh state in India. Balrampur town located on the bank of the Rapti is the district headquarters. Balrampur district is a part of Devipatan division, and historic Awadh region....
districts. Many are now, in fact, landless agricultural labourers.
The Khanzada, however have been badly affected by abolishion of the zamindar
Zamindar
A Zamindar or zemindar , was an aristocrat, typically hereditary, who held enormous tracts of land and ruled over and taxed the bhikaaris who lived on batavaslam. Over time, they took princely and royal titles such as Maharaja , Raja , Nawab , and Mirza , Chowdhury , among others...
i system, with many now destitute. They still remain a land owning community, but those especially in Balrampur
Balrampur district
Balrampur district is one of the 72 districts of Uttar Pradesh state in India. Balrampur town located on the bank of the Rapti is the district headquarters. Balrampur district is a part of Devipatan division, and historic Awadh region....
, Gonda
Gonda District
Gonda is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh, India. Gonda is the district headquarters, and also the administrative centre for the Devipatan Division....
and Bahraich
Bahraich District
Bahraich District is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh state of India, and Bahraich town is the district headquarters. Bahraich District is a part of Devipatan Division.-History:...
are now simply agricultural labourers. The community are also divided on sectarian lines, with the majority being Sunni, while a minority, mainly the ex-taluqdar
Taluqdar
A taluqdar or talukdar , is a term used for Indian land holders in Mughal and British times, responsible for collecting taxes from a district...
families being Shia. Like other Indian Muslims, there is growing movement towards orthodoxy, with many of their villages containing madrasas. The madrasas have also facilitated the growth of Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
, with it beginning to replace the Awadhi dialect they traditionally spoke.
In Uttar Pradesh
Awadh
Awadh , also known in various British historical texts as Oudh or Oude derived from Ayodhya, is a region in the centre of the modern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, which was before independence known as the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh...
and Purvanchal
Purvanchal
Purvanchal is a geographic region of north-central India, which comprises the eastern end of Uttar Pradesh state...
regions, with special concentrations in Gonda
Gonda District
Gonda is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh, India. Gonda is the district headquarters, and also the administrative centre for the Devipatan Division....
, Balrampur
Balrampur district
Balrampur district is one of the 72 districts of Uttar Pradesh state in India. Balrampur town located on the bank of the Rapti is the district headquarters. Balrampur district is a part of Devipatan division, and historic Awadh region....
and Sultanpur
Sultanpur District
Sultanpur District is a district in the state of Uttar Pradesh in northern India. The district is a part of Faizabad Division. Its administrative head is Sultanpur.-History:...
districts. Historically, the term Khanzada was initially used for the Bachgoti
Bachgoti
- Origin :The Bachgoti claim descent from Chauhan Rajputs, settled in Mainpuri. These Mainpuri Chauhan fled Delhi under the leadership of Bariar Singh. The fugitives settled in Sultanpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh. According to their traditions, they are descended from Rana Sangat, a great nephew of...
Hassanpur family, who are said to have originated from Sultanpur District
Sultanpur District
Sultanpur District is a district in the state of Uttar Pradesh in northern India. The district is a part of Faizabad Division. Its administrative head is Sultanpur.-History:...
, and the Bachgoti remains one of the larger Khanzada clans.
In Awadh
In Sultanpur DistrictSultanpur District
Sultanpur District is a district in the state of Uttar Pradesh in northern India. The district is a part of Faizabad Division. Its administrative head is Sultanpur.-History:...
, they are found mainly in Miranpur
Miranpur
Miranpur is a town and a nagar panchayat in Muzaffarnagar district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Miranpur is a noted for a temple of Jainism's twentieth Thirthankar Munisuvrata.-Demographics:...
, Gaura
Gaura
Gaura is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, native to North America. The genus includes many species known commonly as beeblossoms...
, Jagdishpur, Aldemau and Asauli. Other clans in the district include the Bisen, Chauhan
Chauhan
Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan...
, Kanhpuria and Raghubansi.
The Hassanpur family were also substantial land owmers in Faizabad District
Faizabad District
See also: Faizabad Faizabad district is one of the 71 districts of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. Faizabad city is the administrative headquarters of this district. The district occupies an area of 2,764 km²...
, and together with their kinsmen the Rajahs of Maniarpur and Gageo, provided some of the larger Talukdar families in Awadh
Awadh
Awadh , also known in various British historical texts as Oudh or Oude derived from Ayodhya, is a region in the centre of the modern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, which was before independence known as the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh...
. Other clans found in Faizabad District
Faizabad District
See also: Faizabad Faizabad district is one of the 71 districts of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. Faizabad city is the administrative headquarters of this district. The district occupies an area of 2,764 km²...
included the Sikarwar of Akbarpur
Akbarpur
navneet sachan 7827821710Akbarpur is a town and a nagar panchayat in Kanpur Dehat district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.-Geography:...
and Tanda
Tanda
Tanda may refer to:places* Tanda, Côte d'Ivoire* Tanda, Egypt* Tanda, Gujrat* Tanda, belakang belindov candra* Tanda, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa*Tanda, Nigertowns in India* Tanda, Ambedaker Nagar* Urmar Tanda* Tanda, Rampurothers* Tanda , a coaster...
, the Bachgoti
Bachgoti
- Origin :The Bachgoti claim descent from Chauhan Rajputs, settled in Mainpuri. These Mainpuri Chauhan fled Delhi under the leadership of Bariar Singh. The fugitives settled in Sultanpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh. According to their traditions, they are descended from Rana Sangat, a great nephew of...
and Panwar of Tanda
Tanda
Tanda may refer to:places* Tanda, Côte d'Ivoire* Tanda, Egypt* Tanda, Gujrat* Tanda, belakang belindov candra* Tanda, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa*Tanda, Nigertowns in India* Tanda, Ambedaker Nagar* Urmar Tanda* Tanda, Rampurothers* Tanda , a coaster...
, the Bisen in Faizabad
Faizabad
City of Faizabad , previous capital of Awadh, is the headquarters of Faizabad District and a municipal board in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India, situated on the banks of river Ghaghra . Faizabad has a twin city of Ayodhya, which is considered to be the birthplace of Rama...
, and the Bhale Sultan of Khandansa.
In Unnao district
Unnao District
Unnao District is a district of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. The town of Unnao is the district headquarters. The district is part of Lucknow Division.-History:...
, the Khanzada belong mainly to the Sengar, Dikhit and Bais Rajput
Bais Rajput
The Bais Rajput , are an ancient Rajput clan consisting of the wealthy, warriors, entrepreneurs and Zamindar .The Bais Rajput are one of the Chattis Rajkul - 36 Royal Rajput lineages...
s.
In Raebareli District
Raebareli District
Raebareli District is a district of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. The town of Raebareli is the district headquarters. The district is part of Lucknow Division.-Raebareli District in 1911:...
, they belong chiefly to the Bais
Bais Rajput
The Bais Rajput , are an ancient Rajput clan consisting of the wealthy, warriors, entrepreneurs and Zamindar .The Bais Rajput are one of the Chattis Rajkul - 36 Royal Rajput lineages...
of Inhauna and Behua, the Chauhan
Chauhan
Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan...
s and Bhale Sultans of Maharajganj
Maharajganj
Maharajganj is a town and a notified area in Siwan district in the Indian state of Bihar.-Geography:Maharajganj is located at . It has an average elevation of 66 metres .-Demographics:...
and Gaharwar of Salon
Salon, India
Salon is a town and a Tehsil as well as Nagar Panchayat in Chhatrapati Sahuji Maharaj Nagar district in the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.-Geography:Salon is located at . It has an average elevation of 110 metres ....
.
In Hardoi District
Hardoi District
Hardoi disctrict is a district of Uttar Pradesh, India, and Hardoi town is the district headquarters. Hardoi district is a part of Lucknow division.-Economy:...
, the Chandel
Chandel
Chandela may refer to* Chandela, a Rajput clan in India* Chandel district, a district in Manipur, India* Suresh Chandel, Indian politician...
are found in Bilgram
Bilgram
Bilgram is a city and a municipal board in Hardoi district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.-Geography:Bilgram is located at . It has an average elevation of 136 metres .-Demographics:...
, other important clans include the Ahbans
Ahbans
-Origin:The name of this clan is derived from the Sanskrit word ahi which means a snake. They claim to be one of the earliest Rajput settlers in the Awadh region. The Ahbans claim descent from two brothers of the Chavda clan who are found in Gujarat. These two brothers were Gopi and Sopi, and who...
, Bais
Bais Rajput
The Bais Rajput , are an ancient Rajput clan consisting of the wealthy, warriors, entrepreneurs and Zamindar .The Bais Rajput are one of the Chattis Rajkul - 36 Royal Rajput lineages...
, Raikwar, Sombansi, Janwar and Gaur.
The district of Gonda
Gonda District
Gonda is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh, India. Gonda is the district headquarters, and also the administrative centre for the Devipatan Division....
is home to the largest concentrations of Khanzada. According 1901 Census of India, they numbered about 40,948. They are found mainly in Utraula
Utraula
Utraula is a city and a municipal board in Balrampur district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is approximately 45 kilometres from the border with Nepal and is 175 km in south east of capital city Lucknow...
tehsil
Tehsil
A Tehsil or Tahsil/Tahasil , also known as Taluk and Mandal, is an administrative division of some country/countries of South Asia....
now in Balrampur District
Balrampur district
Balrampur district is one of the 72 districts of Uttar Pradesh state in India. Balrampur town located on the bank of the Rapti is the district headquarters. Balrampur district is a part of Devipatan division, and historic Awadh region....
, where they belong mainly to the Chauhan
Chauhan
Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan...
and Bais
Bais Rajput
The Bais Rajput , are an ancient Rajput clan consisting of the wealthy, warriors, entrepreneurs and Zamindar .The Bais Rajput are one of the Chattis Rajkul - 36 Royal Rajput lineages...
clans. Other clans in the district include the Bisen, Bhale Sultan, Gautam
Gautam Rajputs
-History and origin:The Gautam claim descent from a Brahmin called Siringhi, who married a daughter of the Gaharwar rajah. For his dowry he obtained all the country between Allahabad to Haridwar. They are said to have originated in the region above or around the doab area of the upper Gangetic plain...
, Kalhans and Panwar clans.
After Gonda, Lakhimpur Kheri District is home to the second largest community of Khanzadas. They are found mainly in and around the towns of Nighasan and Lakhimpur Kheri
Lakhimpur Kheri
Lakhimpur Kheri is a district of Uttar Pradesh in the Lucknow division. It is located in India along the border with Nepal. The headquarters of the Lakhimpur Kheri District are situated in the city of Lakhimpur....
. Most of them belong to the Ahbans, concentrated in Lakhimpur. After the Ahbans
Ahbans Khanzada
The Ahbans Khanzada are a Muslim community found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. They are part of the larger Khanzada community found in the Awadh region. The community uses the surname Khan.-Origin:...
, the Chauhan
Chauhan
Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan...
s are the second largest clan, concentrated in Nighasan. The Gautam
Gautam Rajputs
-History and origin:The Gautam claim descent from a Brahmin called Siringhi, who married a daughter of the Gaharwar rajah. For his dowry he obtained all the country between Allahabad to Haridwar. They are said to have originated in the region above or around the doab area of the upper Gangetic plain...
, Sombansi and Janwar are found mainly in Lakhimpur, while the Gaur
Gaur
The gaur , also called Indian bison, is a large bovine native to South Asia and Southeast Asia. The species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1986 as the population decline in parts of the species' range is likely to be well over 70% over the last three generations...
are found mainly in Nighasan. Other clans include the Panwar and Katehriya of Muhamdi.
In neighbouring Bahraich District
Bahraich District
Bahraich District is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh state of India, and Bahraich town is the district headquarters. Bahraich District is a part of Devipatan Division.-History:...
, the Khanzada belong mainly to the Chauhan
Chauhan
Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan...
, Bais, Bisen
Bisen
Bisen/Vishen are the Suryavanshi Rajput clan found in North India, mainly in the state of Uttar Pradesh.They trace their descent from Raja Prithvi Mull of Majhaul, and get their name from the Sanskrit words visva meaning "entire" and sena means an "army".In other words it connotes those who have...
, Bhatti and Bhale Sultan
Bhale Sultan
- Origin :The Bhale Sultan get their name from the Sanskrit bhala or javelin and the Arabic word sultan or ruler. Their name therefore means the ruler’s javelin or spear, and this name is said to have been bestowed upon them by the Mohammed Ghori. There are two traditions as to the origin of the...
clans. Their villages are found mainly near the border with Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
, a significant number settled in the Terai
Terai
The Terai is a belt of marshy grasslands, savannas, and forests located south of the outer foothills of the Himalaya, the Siwalik Hills, and north of the Indo-Gangetic Plain of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and their tributaries. The Terai belongs to the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands ecoregion...
region of Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
, in the 19th Century. Part of the old Bahraich District
Bahraich District
Bahraich District is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh state of India, and Bahraich town is the district headquarters. Bahraich District is a part of Devipatan Division.-History:...
was separated to form the new Shrasvasti District, where there is a large settlement of Chauhan Khanzadas.
In Sitapur District
Sitapur District
Sitapur district is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh state of India, with Sitapur town as the district headquarters. Sitapur district is a part of Lucknow division. This district covers an area of 5743 km². It has a population of 3,619,661....
, the Khanzada are found mainly in Sitapur
Sitapur
Sitapur formerly spelled as Citapore is a town and a municipal board in Sitapur district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is in the Lucknow Division of Uttar Pradesh...
and Biswan
Biswan
Biswan is a city and a municipal board in Sitapur district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.-Geography:Biswan is located at . It has an average elevation of 133 metres .Biswan is the Industrial Area.-Demographics:...
tehsil
Tehsil
A Tehsil or Tahsil/Tahasil , also known as Taluk and Mandal, is an administrative division of some country/countries of South Asia....
s. The most numerous clan are the Chauhan
Chauhan
Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan...
, found throughout the district, the Bisen in Biswan
Biswan
Biswan is a city and a municipal board in Sitapur district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.-Geography:Biswan is located at . It has an average elevation of 133 metres .Biswan is the Industrial Area.-Demographics:...
, Bais
Bais Rajput
The Bais Rajput , are an ancient Rajput clan consisting of the wealthy, warriors, entrepreneurs and Zamindar .The Bais Rajput are one of the Chattis Rajkul - 36 Royal Rajput lineages...
in Sitapur
Sitapur
Sitapur formerly spelled as Citapore is a town and a municipal board in Sitapur district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is in the Lucknow Division of Uttar Pradesh...
, and the Gautam
Gautam Rajputs
-History and origin:The Gautam claim descent from a Brahmin called Siringhi, who married a daughter of the Gaharwar rajah. For his dowry he obtained all the country between Allahabad to Haridwar. They are said to have originated in the region above or around the doab area of the upper Gangetic plain...
and Gaur
Gaur
The gaur , also called Indian bison, is a large bovine native to South Asia and Southeast Asia. The species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1986 as the population decline in parts of the species' range is likely to be well over 70% over the last three generations...
in Sitapur
Sitapur
Sitapur formerly spelled as Citapore is a town and a municipal board in Sitapur district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is in the Lucknow Division of Uttar Pradesh...
. Other clans include Bachhil , Janwar, Rathore
Rathore
The Rathore is a Suryavanshi Rajput clan same caste as Lohana. Their Kuldevi is Nagnechiya Mata and "Karani Mata". Rathores are originally from Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh. Rathores are historically considered the samurais of India...
and Sombansi.
In Pratapgarh District, the main clans are the Bais
Bais Rajput
The Bais Rajput , are an ancient Rajput clan consisting of the wealthy, warriors, entrepreneurs and Zamindar .The Bais Rajput are one of the Chattis Rajkul - 36 Royal Rajput lineages...
of Pratapgarh
Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh
Pratapgarh also called Bela, Bela Pratapgarh, Partapgarh or Partabgarh, is a city and nagar panchayat of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is the administrative headquarters of Pratapgarh district, part of the Faizabad Division...
and Kunda
Kunda
Kunda is a town in Estonia, located on the coast of the Gulf of Finland. There is a pulp mill , a cement factory and a port. Its population is ca...
, the Bachgoti of Patti and the Chauhan
Chauhan
Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan...
and Raikwar found in the east of the district.
In Barabanki District
Barabanki District
The Barabanki district is one of four districts of Faizabad division, lies at the very heart of Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh state of India, and forms as it were a centre from which no less than seven other districts radiate...
, they are concentrated mainly in Ramasanehighat. Historically, the district was home to number of Khanzada talukdar families, such as the Bhatti Rajas of Neorua and Barauli and the Bisen Khanzada
Bisen Khanzada
The Bisen Khanzada are a Muslim community found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. They are a part of the wider Khanzada community of eastern Uttar Pradesh. The community uses the surname khan.-Origin:...
of Usmanpur. The chief clans of the district were the Bais
Bais Rajput
The Bais Rajput , are an ancient Rajput clan consisting of the wealthy, warriors, entrepreneurs and Zamindar .The Bais Rajput are one of the Chattis Rajkul - 36 Royal Rajput lineages...
, Bhatti, Bisen, Bhale Sultan
Bhale Sultan
- Origin :The Bhale Sultan get their name from the Sanskrit bhala or javelin and the Arabic word sultan or ruler. Their name therefore means the ruler’s javelin or spear, and this name is said to have been bestowed upon them by the Mohammed Ghori. There are two traditions as to the origin of the...
, Chauhan
Chauhan
Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan...
, Panwar, Raikwar and Surajbansi.
Here is a list of Khanzada clans taken from 1891 Census of India.
| Tribe | Lucknow District Lucknow District Lucknow District is a district of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. The city of Lucknow is the district headquarters and the district is part of Lucknow Division... | Unnao District Unnao District Unnao District is a district of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. The town of Unnao is the district headquarters. The district is part of Lucknow Division.-History:... | Raebareli District Raebareli District Raebareli District is a district of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. The town of Raebareli is the district headquarters. The district is part of Lucknow Division.-Raebareli District in 1911:... | Sitapur District Sitapur District Sitapur district is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh state of India, with Sitapur town as the district headquarters. Sitapur district is a part of Lucknow division. This district covers an area of 5743 km². It has a population of 3,619,661.... | Hardoi District Hardoi District Hardoi disctrict is a district of Uttar Pradesh, India, and Hardoi town is the district headquarters. Hardoi district is a part of Lucknow division.-Economy:... | Lakhimpur Kheri District | Faizabad District Faizabad District See also: Faizabad Faizabad district is one of the 71 districts of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. Faizabad city is the administrative headquarters of this district. The district occupies an area of 2,764 km²... | Gonda District Gonda District Gonda is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh, India. Gonda is the district headquarters, and also the administrative centre for the Devipatan Division.... | Bahraich District Bahraich District Bahraich District is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh state of India, and Bahraich town is the district headquarters. Bahraich District is a part of Devipatan Division.-History:... | Sultanpur District Sultanpur District Sultanpur District is a district in the state of Uttar Pradesh in northern India. The district is a part of Faizabad Division. Its administrative head is Sultanpur.-History:... | Pratapgarh District | Barabanki District Barabanki District The Barabanki district is one of four districts of Faizabad division, lies at the very heart of Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh state of India, and forms as it were a centre from which no less than seven other districts radiate... |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachgoti Bachgoti - Origin :The Bachgoti claim descent from Chauhan Rajputs, settled in Mainpuri. These Mainpuri Chauhan fled Delhi under the leadership of Bariar Singh. The fugitives settled in Sultanpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh. According to their traditions, they are descended from Rana Sangat, a great nephew of... |
63 | 45 | 5,507 | 5,507 | |||||||||
| Bandhalgoti | 40 | 47 | 87 | ||||||||||
| Bhadauria Bhaduria Bhadauria, also known as Bhadoria, Bhadouria, Bhadoriya, Bhadouriya, Bhadauriya, or Bhadauria, is a branch of the Chauhan clan of Agnivanshi Rajputs. According to some scholars, Chauhans are actually Suryavanshi and the story of Agnivansha is a based on a myth. They are known for their fighting... |
34 | 34 | |||||||||||
| Bais Bais Rajput The Bais Rajput , are an ancient Rajput clan consisting of the wealthy, warriors, entrepreneurs and Zamindar .The Bais Rajput are one of the Chattis Rajkul - 36 Royal Rajput lineages... |
23 | 376 | 1,141 | 309 | 90 | 503 | 1,734 | 146 | 1,239 | 2,514 | 560 | 1,254 | 9,889 |
| Bhale Sultan Bhale Sultan - Origin :The Bhale Sultan get their name from the Sanskrit bhala or javelin and the Arabic word sultan or ruler. Their name therefore means the ruler’s javelin or spear, and this name is said to have been bestowed upon them by the Mohammed Ghori. There are two traditions as to the origin of the... |
283 | 38 | 372 | 23 | 108 | 687 | 352 | 271 | 4,607 | 17 | 735 | 7,493 | |
| Bhatti | 75 | 112 | 10 | 10 | 198 | 195 | 267 | 267 | 137 | 1,652 | 1,353 | 4,276 | |
| Bisen Bisen Bisen/Vishen are the Suryavanshi Rajput clan found in North India, mainly in the state of Uttar Pradesh.They trace their descent from Raja Prithvi Mull of Majhaul, and get their name from the Sanskrit words visva meaning "entire" and sena means an "army".In other words it connotes those who have... |
36 | 22 | 158 | 1,008 | 1,001 | 1,272 | 658 | 640 | 4,815 | ||||
| Chandel Chandel Chandela may refer to* Chandela, a Rajput clan in India* Chandel district, a district in Manipur, India* Suresh Chandel, Indian politician... |
15 | 74 | 51 | 267 | 37 | 121 | 21 | 40 | 131 | 12 | 19 | 788 | |
| Chauhan Chauhan Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan... |
151 | 16 | 797 | 3,424 | 2,766 | 1,978 | 402 | 7,045 | 1,478 | 144 | 840 | 19,041 | |
| Dikhit Dikhit The Dikhit also known as Kinwar are a Hindu Rajput clan found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India.- Origin :The clan gets its name from the Sanskrit word dikshita which means "the initiated". They are said have given the name by Rajah Vikramjit of Ujjain about 50 B.C. They claim to be... |
25 | 184 | 209 | ||||||||||
| Gaharwar | 399 | 83 | 50 | 532 | |||||||||
| Gaur | 33 | 623 | 28 | 684 | |||||||||
| Gautam Gautam Rajputs -History and origin:The Gautam claim descent from a Brahmin called Siringhi, who married a daughter of the Gaharwar rajah. For his dowry he obtained all the country between Allahabad to Haridwar. They are said to have originated in the region above or around the doab area of the upper Gangetic plain... |
8 | 7 | 23 | 361 | 714 | 129 | 20 | 84 | 10 | 5 | 1,361 | ||
| Kanhpuria | 24 | 225 | 249 | ||||||||||
| Parihar Parihar Parihar is a clan which is part of many communities including Rajputs, Gurjars and Jats. According to the Handbook on Rajputs by famous British historian A. H... |
40 | 111 | 10 | 161 | |||||||||
| Panwar | 95 | 61 | 587 | 348 | 343 | 25 | 73 | 22 | 1,554 | ||||
| Raghuvanshi Raghav (Raghuvanshi) Badgujars rajputs, Jayas rajputs clans claim descent from Suryavanshi king Raghu and his grandson Lord Rama and his son Lava and write Raghav as their surname. They ruled some kingdoms and princely states.-Etymology:... |
36 | 623 | 686 | ||||||||||
| Raikwar | 431 | 39 | 62 | 9 | 350 | 42 | 116 | 17 | 1,066 | ||||
| Rajkumar | 13 | 52 | 65 | ||||||||||
| Rathore Rathore The Rathore is a Suryavanshi Rajput clan same caste as Lohana. Their Kuldevi is Nagnechiya Mata and "Karani Mata". Rathores are originally from Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh. Rathores are historically considered the samurais of India... |
3 | 103 | 222 | 38 | 366 | ||||||||
| Sengar Sengar Sengar are a clan of Rajputs. One of the 36 clan Rajput Kshatriya, they are mainly found in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh states of India.- Origin :... |
34 | 34 | |||||||||||
| Sikarwar Sikarwar Sikarwar is a clan of Rajputs found around Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Sikarwars were the founders of Vijaypur Sikri by Babur.Some Jatt clans have adopted 'Sikarwar' as their Gotras.... |
9 | 11 | 11 | 1,473 | 1,194 | 23 | 2,721 | ||||||
| Sombansi | 12 | 89 | 13 | 180 | 604 | 67 | 507 | 64 | 269 | 2,712 | |||
| Tomar Tomar Tomar Municipality has a total area of 351.0 km² and a total population of 43,007 inhabitants.The municipality is composed of 16 parishes, and is located in Santarém District... |
129 | 13 | 142 |
In Purvanchal
The Khanzada of Gorakhpur DistrictGorakhpur District
Gorakhpur district is a district of Uttar Pradesh state in India. Gorakhpur is the administrative headquarters of the district.-History:The district was ceded by the Nawab of Awadh to the British East India Company in 1801. With this cession, Gorakhpur was raised to the status of a district. The...
are found mainly in Padrauna
Padrauna
Padrauna is as same as Kushinagar or Kushinagar districtThis article is for a small geographical area of Padrauna and for broader information, please refer to the above suggestion...
(now in Kushinagar District
Kushinagar District
Kushinagar District is a district of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. Padarauna is the district headquarters. The district is named for Kushinagar, a Buddhist pilgrimage site where Gautama Buddha attained parinirvana in the 6th or 5th centuries BCE....
), Gorakhpur
Gorakhpur
Gorakhpur is a city in the eastern part of the state of Uttar Pradesh in India, near the border with Nepal. It is the administrative headquarters of Gorakhpur District and Gorakhpur Division. Gorakhpur is one of the proposed capitals of the Purvanchal state which is yet to be formed...
and Deoria. The chief clans are the Bais
Bais Rajput
The Bais Rajput , are an ancient Rajput clan consisting of the wealthy, warriors, entrepreneurs and Zamindar .The Bais Rajput are one of the Chattis Rajkul - 36 Royal Rajput lineages...
, Bisen
Bisen
Bisen/Vishen are the Suryavanshi Rajput clan found in North India, mainly in the state of Uttar Pradesh.They trace their descent from Raja Prithvi Mull of Majhaul, and get their name from the Sanskrit words visva meaning "entire" and sena means an "army".In other words it connotes those who have...
, Chandel
Chandel
Chandela may refer to* Chandela, a Rajput clan in India* Chandel district, a district in Manipur, India* Suresh Chandel, Indian politician...
, Chauhan
Chauhan
Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan...
, Dikhit
Dikhit
The Dikhit also known as Kinwar are a Hindu Rajput clan found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India.- Origin :The clan gets its name from the Sanskrit word dikshita which means "the initiated". They are said have given the name by Rajah Vikramjit of Ujjain about 50 B.C. They claim to be...
, Panwar, Raghubansi and Surajbansi. A good number of the Khanzada are simply referred to as Pathans, a term that also used in Balia
Balia
Balia may refer to:Bangladesh*Balia, Bangladesh Places*Ballia, in Uttar Pradesh, India*Balia, MaliElectoral constituencies*Ballia , in Uttar Pradesh, India...
and other districts of the Varanasi
Varanasi
-Etymology:The name Varanasi has its origin possibly from the names of the two rivers Varuna and Assi, for the old city lies in the north shores of the Ganga bounded by its two tributaries, the Varuna and the Asi, with the Ganges being to its south...
divisions.
In Basti District, they are concentrated mainly in Domariagang and Khalilabad
Khalilabad
Khalilabad is a city and a municipal board in Sant Kabir Nagar district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is the district headquarters of Sant Kabir Nagar district....
tehsils. They belong mainly to the Bais, Bisen
Bisen
Bisen/Vishen are the Suryavanshi Rajput clan found in North India, mainly in the state of Uttar Pradesh.They trace their descent from Raja Prithvi Mull of Majhaul, and get their name from the Sanskrit words visva meaning "entire" and sena means an "army".In other words it connotes those who have...
, Chauhan
Chauhan
Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan...
, Chandel
Chandel
Chandela may refer to* Chandela, a Rajput clan in India* Chandel district, a district in Manipur, India* Suresh Chandel, Indian politician...
, Gautam
Gautam Rajputs
-History and origin:The Gautam claim descent from a Brahmin called Siringhi, who married a daughter of the Gaharwar rajah. For his dowry he obtained all the country between Allahabad to Haridwar. They are said to have originated in the region above or around the doab area of the upper Gangetic plain...
, Janwar, Panwar, Sombansi, Surajbansi and Tomar
Tomar
Tomar Municipality has a total area of 351.0 km² and a total population of 43,007 inhabitants.The municipality is composed of 16 parishes, and is located in Santarém District...
clans.
In Azamgarh District
Azamgarh district
Azamgarh district is one of the three districts of Azamgarh Division in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.-Etymology:The district is named after its headquarters town, Azamgarh. Azam, son of Vikramajit, founded the town in 1665. Vikramajit a descendant of Gautam Rajputs of Mehnagar in pargana...
, the majority of Khanzada are found in Muhammadabad
Muhammadabad
Muhammadabad Gohna is a town and a nagar panchayat in Mau district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The town has services such as schools, colleges, hospitals, banks, ATMs and many Hi-Tech facilities. The majority of the population are adherents of Islam. Textile and handloom is a flourishing...
, Sagri and Mahul
Mahul
Mahul is a neighbourhood of Mumbai in the Trombay area....
. Their main clans are the Bai, Bisen
Bisen
Bisen/Vishen are the Suryavanshi Rajput clan found in North India, mainly in the state of Uttar Pradesh.They trace their descent from Raja Prithvi Mull of Majhaul, and get their name from the Sanskrit words visva meaning "entire" and sena means an "army".In other words it connotes those who have...
, Chauhan
Chauhan
Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan...
and Panwar. The Chauhan are found mainly in Azamgarh
Azamgarh
Azamgarh is a town in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is headquarters of Azamgarh district and Azamgarh Division.-History:Azamgarh, one of the easternmost districts of the State, once formed a part of the ancient Kosala kingdom, except the north-eastern part of it which was included in the...
, Deogaon
Deogaon
Deogaon is a small village on the Kusei River in the Kendujhar District of Orissa, India. It lies at a distance of 10 km. from Anandapur, 90 km. from the district headquarters 'Kendujhar' and 170 km. from Bhubaneswar, the state capital....
and Mahul
Mahul
Mahul is a neighbourhood of Mumbai in the Trombay area....
, the Bais
Bais Rajput
The Bais Rajput , are an ancient Rajput clan consisting of the wealthy, warriors, entrepreneurs and Zamindar .The Bais Rajput are one of the Chattis Rajkul - 36 Royal Rajput lineages...
are found in Sagri, the Bisen in Deogaon
Deogaon
Deogaon is a small village on the Kusei River in the Kendujhar District of Orissa, India. It lies at a distance of 10 km. from Anandapur, 90 km. from the district headquarters 'Kendujhar' and 170 km. from Bhubaneswar, the state capital....
and Panwar in Muhammadabad
Muhammadabad
Muhammadabad Gohna is a town and a nagar panchayat in Mau district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The town has services such as schools, colleges, hospitals, banks, ATMs and many Hi-Tech facilities. The majority of the population are adherents of Islam. Textile and handloom is a flourishing...
. The Rajahs of Azamgarh were Gautam Khanzada
Gautam Khanzada
The Gautam Khanzada are a sub-group wirthin the Khanzada community found in eastern Uttar Pradesh in India. They also refer to themselves as Gautam Thakurs. The Gautam Khanzada are Muslim converts from the Gautam community.-Origin:...
s.
The main clans in Fatehpur District
Fatehpur district
Fatehpur district is one of the 71 districts of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. The district covers an area of 4,152 km². The district has a population of 2,308,384 . Fatehpur city is the administrative headquarters of the district. Located on the banks of the sacred rivers Ganges and...
are the Gautam
Gautam Khanzada
The Gautam Khanzada are a sub-group wirthin the Khanzada community found in eastern Uttar Pradesh in India. They also refer to themselves as Gautam Thakurs. The Gautam Khanzada are Muslim converts from the Gautam community.-Origin:...
, Dikhit
Dikhit Khanzada
The Dikhit Khanzada are a sub-group wirthin the Khanzada community found in eastern Uttar Pradesh in India. They also refer to themselves as Dikhit Thakurs or sometimes just Thakurs...
, Bais and Chauhan
Chauhan
Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan...
. In addition to these clans, the district is also home to the Khokhar Khanzada
Khokhar Khanzada
The Khokhar Khanzada are a Muslim Rajput community found mainly in the Fatehpur district of Uttar Pradesh in India. They have no connection with the Ranghar Khokhar of Moradabad district in western Uttar Pradesh, another community of Muslim Khokhars settled in Uttar Pradesh. The Khokhar are a well...
, a community of immigrant Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
s found mainly in and around the town of Kot. Of the other clans, the Gautam are found mainly in Kora Jahanabad
Kora Jahanabad
Kora Jahanabad is a town and a nagar panchayat in Fatehpur district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.-Demographics: India census, Kora Jahanabad had a population of 24,050. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Kora Jahanabad has an average literacy rate of 58%, lower than...
, Bindki
Bindki
Bindki is a city and a municipal board in Fatehpur district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.-Geography:Bindki is located at . It is about 25 KM away from Fatehpur, and 58 KM from Kanpur...
and Kutia Gunir, the Bais are found mainly in Haswa, Fatehpur
Fatehpur
Fatehpur may refer to:Places in India*Punjab** Fatehpur Jattan, village in district Fatehgarh Sahib** Fatehpur Rayian, village in district Fatehgarh Sahib** Fatehpur Bhangala, village in district Rupnagar* Uttar Pradesh...
and Ghazipur, the Dikhit are found mainly in Lalauli, and the Chauhan in Katila.
In Banda District
Banda District
Banda district is a district of Uttar Pradesh state of India, and Banda is the district headquarters. It is a part of Chitrakoot Division.Banda is famous for its Shajar stone, used for making jewellery, and the historically and architecturally significant sites Khajuraho and Kalinjar. Khajuraho is...
, the Khanzada belong mainly to the Dikhit, Bais and Gautam clans. They are concentrated in Pailani tehsil.
In Allahabad District
Allahabad District
Allahabad district is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh state of India, and Allahabad town is the district headquarters. Allahabad district is a part of Allahabad Division.As of 2011 it is the most populous district of Uttar Pradesh ....
, the Khanzada are found mainly in Phulpur
Phulpur
Phulpur is a town and a nagar panchayat in Allahabad district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is known for being the Lok Sabha seat from which Jawaharlal Nehru got elected to the Indian Parliament.-Geography:...
and Handia
Handia
Handia is a town and a nagar panchayat in Allahabad district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.-Geography:Handia is located at . It has an average elevation of 92 metres .-Demographics:...
, and are drawn from several clans. The main ones being the Chauhan
Chauhan
Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan...
and Baghela
Baghela
The Baghela are a Raghav Agnivanshi clan of Rajputs. They are found in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh in India, and the province of Punjab in Pakistan.- History and origin :...
, the latter are descended from a chieftain from the royal house of Rewah
Rewa (princely state)
Rewa was a princely state of India, surrounding its eponymous capital, the town of Rewa.-Description:With an area of about 13,000 mi², Rewa was the largest princely state in the Bagelkhand Agency and the second largest in Central India Agency. The British political agent for Bagelkhand resided...
, who was granted a jagir
Jagir
In historic India, a jagir was a small territory granted by the ruler to an army chieftain in fairly short terms usually of three years but not extending beyond his lifetime, in recognition of his military service...
by the Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
Emperor Akbar, on his conversion to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
. Other clans include the Bais
Bais Rajput
The Bais Rajput , are an ancient Rajput clan consisting of the wealthy, warriors, entrepreneurs and Zamindar .The Bais Rajput are one of the Chattis Rajkul - 36 Royal Rajput lineages...
, Gaharwar and Dikhit. The Chauhan Khanzada are often referred to as the Mainpuri
Mainpuri
Mainpuri is a city and a municipal board in Mainpuri district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is the administrative headquarters of the Mainpuri district and is situated to the north-east of Agra.-Geography:...
Chauhan
Chauhan
Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan...
, on account from their descent from the Chauhan Rajahs of Mainpuri
Mainpuri
Mainpuri is a city and a municipal board in Mainpuri district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is the administrative headquarters of the Mainpuri district and is situated to the north-east of Agra.-Geography:...
. In additions to these clans, the district is also home to a community of immigrants Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
s from Punjab
Punjab (Pakistan)
Punjab is the most populous province of Pakistan, with approximately 45% of the country's total population. Forming most of the Punjab region, the province is bordered by Kashmir to the north-east, the Indian states of Punjab and Rajasthan to the east, the Pakistani province of Sindh to the...
, known as the Johiya Khanzada
Johiya Khanzada
The Johiya Khanzada are a Muslim community found in eastern part of the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. They are a sub-group within the larger Khanzada community. The Johiya are found mainly near Chail and Khairagarh, in Allahabad District. They a cluster of eighty four villages, known as chaurasi...
, who are found in Chail
Chail, Uttar Pradesh
Chail is a town and a nagar panchayat in Kaushambi district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.-Demographics: India census, Chail had a population of 7726. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Chail has an average literacy rate of 41%, lower than the national average of 59.5%;...
.
In Jaunpur District
Jaunpur District
Jaunpur is a district in the Varanasi Division of Uttar Pradesh state in India. Jaunpur serves as the district headquarters.-Geography:The district of Jaunpur is situated in the North-West part of Varanasi Division. Its land area extends from 24.240N to 26.120N latitude and between 82.70E and...
, the Khanzada are found mainly in Khutanah, and are decedents of several clans such as the Bachgoti, Bais
Bais Rajput
The Bais Rajput , are an ancient Rajput clan consisting of the wealthy, warriors, entrepreneurs and Zamindar .The Bais Rajput are one of the Chattis Rajkul - 36 Royal Rajput lineages...
, Chauhan
Chauhan
Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan...
, Gautam, Sikarwar and Sisodia
Sisodia
The Sisodia are Chattari Rajputs of the Suryavanshi lineage who ruled the kingdom of Mewar in Rajasthan. Prior to Rana Hamir the clan was known as Gehlot or Guhilot. In 1303 CE Alla-ud-din Khilji attacked Chittor...
. The Bais are the largest clan, and their main settlements are along the Gomti River
Gomti River
The Gomti, Gumti or Gomati River is a tributary of the Ganges River. According to Hindu mythology the river is the daughter of Sage Vashist, and bathing in the waters of the Gomati on Ekadashi can wash away one's sins...
. While the Bachgoti are found mainly in Machhlishahr
Machhlishahr
Machhali Shahar is a town and a nagar panchayat in Jaunpur district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.-Geography:Machhali Shahar is located at . It has an average elevation of 84 metres . It has been assigned 222143 pincode by Indian postal services.-Demographics: India census, Machhlishahr...
, and historically provided several taluqdar
Taluqdar
A taluqdar or talukdar , is a term used for Indian land holders in Mughal and British times, responsible for collecting taxes from a district...
families.
In Ghazipur District
Ghazipur District
Ghazipur District is a district of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. The city of Ghazipur is the district headquarters. The district is part of Varanasi Division...
, the Khanzada are very numerous and are found throughout the district but special concentrations are around Zamaniah, Mohammadabad, Mau
Mau
Mau , formerly Mau Nath Bhanjan , nearly 90 km from Varanasi is the powerhouse of textile weavers in Eastern UP, India. It is a small industrial town on the banks of Ghaghra . The Tamasa river flows through the city...
and Ghazipur town. They are mostly Bais
Bais Rajput
The Bais Rajput , are an ancient Rajput clan consisting of the wealthy, warriors, entrepreneurs and Zamindar .The Bais Rajput are one of the Chattis Rajkul - 36 Royal Rajput lineages...
, Gaharwar, Bhatti, Sikarwar
Sikarwar
Sikarwar is a clan of Rajputs found around Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Sikarwars were the founders of Vijaypur Sikri by Babur.Some Jatt clans have adopted 'Sikarwar' as their Gotras....
, Chauhan
Chauhan
Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan...
, Donwar and Dikhit
Dikhit
The Dikhit also known as Kinwar are a Hindu Rajput clan found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India.- Origin :The clan gets its name from the Sanskrit word dikshita which means "the initiated". They are said have given the name by Rajah Vikramjit of Ujjain about 50 B.C. They claim to be...
. The Sikarwar are said to have converted to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
during the rule of the Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
Emperor Aurangzeb
Aurangzeb
Abul Muzaffar Muhy-ud-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir , more commonly known as Aurangzeb or by his chosen imperial title Alamgir , was the sixth Mughal Emperor of India, whose reign lasted from 1658 until his death in 1707.Badshah Aurangzeb, having ruled most of the Indian subcontinent for nearly...
, while other clans were converted under Lodhi
Lodhi dynasty
Lodi Dynasty was a Pashtun dynasty that was the last dynasty to rule the Delhi Sultanate. The dynasty founded by Bahlul Lodi ruled from 1451 to 1526...
rule. Many of the Khanzada villages are situayed near the town of Dildarnagar
Dildarnagar Fatehpur Bazar
Dildarnagar is a town and a nagar panchayat in Ghazipur district of Uttar Pradesh, India.Dildarnagar is a popular market place for the surrounding villages and is an important railway station as it is the last railway junction of Uttar Pradesh before a train enters Bihar border on the...
. They take the surname of Khan and are a fairly orthodox community like the Khanzada of Azamgarh.
In Ballia district
Ballia District
Ballia district is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh state, India. Ballia district is a part of Azamgarh Division situated in eastern Part of Uttar Pradesh. Main occupation is agriculture. Ballia City is district headquarters and commercial Market of this district. There are four Tehsil in...
, the Khanzada belong to the Chauhan
Chauhan
Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan...
clan, and are found mainly in Rasra
Rasra
Rasra is a city and a municipal board in Ballia district in Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.-Geography:Rasra is located at . It has an average elevation of 55 metres...
. The district is also home to small number of Sukurwar clan, which is only found in the district.
In Mirzapur District
Mirzapur District
Mirzapur district is one of the 70 districts of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. The district is bounded on the north by Sant Ravidas Nagar and Varanasi districts, on the east by Chandauli district, on the south by Sonbhadra district and on the norhwest by Allahabad district. The district...
, the Khanzadas belong to a single family, the Gaharwar Rajah of Kera-Mangraur.
| Tribe | Gorakhpur District Gorakhpur District Gorakhpur district is a district of Uttar Pradesh state in India. Gorakhpur is the administrative headquarters of the district.-History:The district was ceded by the Nawab of Awadh to the British East India Company in 1801. With this cession, Gorakhpur was raised to the status of a district. The... | Basti District | Azamgarh District Azamgarh district Azamgarh district is one of the three districts of Azamgarh Division in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.-Etymology:The district is named after its headquarters town, Azamgarh. Azam, son of Vikramajit, founded the town in 1665. Vikramajit a descendant of Gautam Rajputs of Mehnagar in pargana... | Fatehpur District Fatehpur district Fatehpur district is one of the 71 districts of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. The district covers an area of 4,152 km². The district has a population of 2,308,384 . Fatehpur city is the administrative headquarters of the district. Located on the banks of the sacred rivers Ganges and... | Banda District Banda District Banda district is a district of Uttar Pradesh state of India, and Banda is the district headquarters. It is a part of Chitrakoot Division.Banda is famous for its Shajar stone, used for making jewellery, and the historically and architecturally significant sites Khajuraho and Kalinjar. Khajuraho is... | Allahabad District Allahabad District Allahabad district is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh state of India, and Allahabad town is the district headquarters. Allahabad district is a part of Allahabad Division.As of 2011 it is the most populous district of Uttar Pradesh .... | Varanasi District Varanasi District Varanasi district is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India, with Varanasi city as the district headquarters. Varanasi district is a part of Varanasi division. The district occupies an area of 1,535 km². The district has a population of 3,138,671 .-Divisions:The... | Mirzapur District Mirzapur District Mirzapur district is one of the 70 districts of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. The district is bounded on the north by Sant Ravidas Nagar and Varanasi districts, on the east by Chandauli district, on the south by Sonbhadra district and on the norhwest by Allahabad district. The district... | Jaunpur District Jaunpur District Jaunpur is a district in the Varanasi Division of Uttar Pradesh state in India. Jaunpur serves as the district headquarters.-Geography:The district of Jaunpur is situated in the North-West part of Varanasi Division. Its land area extends from 24.240N to 26.120N latitude and between 82.70E and... | Ghazipur District Ghazipur District Ghazipur District is a district of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. The city of Ghazipur is the district headquarters. The district is part of Varanasi Division... | Ballia District Ballia District Ballia district is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh state, India. Ballia district is a part of Azamgarh Division situated in eastern Part of Uttar Pradesh. Main occupation is agriculture. Ballia City is district headquarters and commercial Market of this district. There are four Tehsil in... |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachgoti Bachgoti - Origin :The Bachgoti claim descent from Chauhan Rajputs, settled in Mainpuri. These Mainpuri Chauhan fled Delhi under the leadership of Bariar Singh. The fugitives settled in Sultanpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh. According to their traditions, they are descended from Rana Sangat, a great nephew of... |
70 | 90 | 160 | |||||||||
| Bais Bais Rajput The Bais Rajput , are an ancient Rajput clan consisting of the wealthy, warriors, entrepreneurs and Zamindar .The Bais Rajput are one of the Chattis Rajkul - 36 Royal Rajput lineages... |
1,708 | 9,954 | 2,091 | 672 | 224 | 60 | 125 | 258 | 375 | 59 | 15,526 | |
| Bhale Sultan Bhale Sultan - Origin :The Bhale Sultan get their name from the Sanskrit bhala or javelin and the Arabic word sultan or ruler. Their name therefore means the ruler’s javelin or spear, and this name is said to have been bestowed upon them by the Mohammed Ghori. There are two traditions as to the origin of the... |
64 | 53 | 29 | 18 | 86 | 250 | ||||||
| Bhatti | 66 | 25 | 41 | 854 | 986 | |||||||
| Bisen Bisen Bisen/Vishen are the Suryavanshi Rajput clan found in North India, mainly in the state of Uttar Pradesh.They trace their descent from Raja Prithvi Mull of Majhaul, and get their name from the Sanskrit words visva meaning "entire" and sena means an "army".In other words it connotes those who have... |
207 | 2,308 | 1,096 | 7 | 49 | 2 | 3,669 | |||||
| Chandel Chandel Chandela may refer to* Chandela, a Rajput clan in India* Chandel district, a district in Manipur, India* Suresh Chandel, Indian politician... |
60 | 602 | 88 | 6 | 27 | 58 | 8 | 257 | 1,106 | |||
| Chauhan Chauhan Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan... |
4,649 | 10,453 | 3,926 | 76 | 43 | 27 | 253 | 23 | 989 | 656 | 357 | 21,452 |
| Gautam Gautam Rajputs -History and origin:The Gautam claim descent from a Brahmin called Siringhi, who married a daughter of the Gaharwar rajah. For his dowry he obtained all the country between Allahabad to Haridwar. They are said to have originated in the region above or around the doab area of the upper Gangetic plain... |
411 | 778 | 223 | 1,831 | 45 | 92 | 149 | 238 | 3,767 | |||
| Gehlot | 10 | 115 | 99 | 224 | ||||||||
| Panwar | 125 | 7,366 | 1,417 | 28 | 88 | 7 | 783 | 191 | 10,005 | |||
| Raikwar | 14 | 14 | ||||||||||
| Rathore Rathore The Rathore is a Suryavanshi Rajput clan same caste as Lohana. Their Kuldevi is Nagnechiya Mata and "Karani Mata". Rathores are originally from Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh. Rathores are historically considered the samurais of India... |
127 | 82 | 31 | 25 | 14 | 4 | 283 | |||||
| Sikarwar Sikarwar Sikarwar is a clan of Rajputs found around Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Sikarwars were the founders of Vijaypur Sikri by Babur.Some Jatt clans have adopted 'Sikarwar' as their Gotras.... |
141 | 103 | 284 | 13 | 116 | 6,101 | 31 | 6,789 | ||||
| Sombansi | 697 | 153 | 51 | 32 | 933 | |||||||
| Surajbansi | 68 | 68 | ||||||||||
| Tomar Tomar Tomar Municipality has a total area of 351.0 km² and a total population of 43,007 inhabitants.The municipality is composed of 16 parishes, and is located in Santarém District... |
135 | 408 | 171 | 23 | 5 | 742 |
In Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
, the Khanzada, or as they are known Diwani Pathan, are found in the Bhojpur region, in the districts of Kaimur
Kaimur District
Kaimur district is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar state, India. The district headquarters are located at Bhabua. The district occupies an area of 3363 km² and has a population of 1,284,575 ....
, Rohtas
Rohtas District
Rohtas district is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar state, India.The Rohtas district is a part of Patna Division, and it has an area of 3850 km² , a population of 2,448,762 , and a population density of 636 persons per km²...
, Buxar Bhojpur
Bhojpur district, Bihar
Bhojpur district is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar state in eastern India. Arrah town is the administrative headquarters of this district.-History:...
and Saran
Saran district
Saran District is one of the thirty-seven districts of Bihar state, India. The district, part of Saran Division, is also known as Chapra district after the headquarters of the district - Chapra...
. In Saran
Saran district
Saran District is one of the thirty-seven districts of Bihar state, India. The district, part of Saran Division, is also known as Chapra district after the headquarters of the district - Chapra...
, they belong mainly to the Bais, Bisen
Bisen
Bisen/Vishen are the Suryavanshi Rajput clan found in North India, mainly in the state of Uttar Pradesh.They trace their descent from Raja Prithvi Mull of Majhaul, and get their name from the Sanskrit words visva meaning "entire" and sena means an "army".In other words it connotes those who have...
and Ujjainiya
Ujjainiya
The Ujjainiya are a Rajput clan found in the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in India . They are also known as Ujjainiya Panwar.The Ujjainiya are a clan of Panwar Rajputs, whose name means those from the city of Ujjain. According to their traditions, they left Ujjain, and settled in Awadh in the...
clans, and their villages are found in and around the town of Chainur. They are entirely Sunni, and their conversions is said to have occurred in the 16th Century, during the period of the rule of the Suri Dynasty.
Sher Shah Suri
Sher Shah Suri
Sher Shah Suri , birth name Farid Khan, also known as Sher Khan , was the founder of the short-lived Sur Empire in northern India, with its capital at Delhi, before its demise in the hands of the resurgent Mughal Empire...
, the founder of the Suri Dynasty was born in Sasaram
Sasaram
Sasaram , sometimes also spelled as Sahasram, is the administrative headquarters of the Rohtas district in the Indian state of Bihar.It is one of the oldest cities in India, and is famous for production of stone chips and for the local quarrying industry...
, in Rohtas district
Rohtas district
Rohtas district is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar state, India.The Rohtas district is a part of Patna Division, and it has an area of 3850 km² , a population of 2,448,762 , and a population density of 636 persons per km²...
, and started his military career in the Bhojpur region. His is personally said to be responsible for the conversion of a number of Diwani Pathans to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
. Like other communities in the region, they speak Bhojpuri.