Bhale Sultan Khanzada
Encyclopedia
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
.
from the Hindu
Bhale Sultan
Rajput
s, and different clans have different traditions regarding their conversions. According to some authorities, the word bhale sultan means lord of spear, a title given to army commanders in medieval India
. There are in fact two distinct communities of Bhale Sultan, those of Bulandshahr
and those of Awadh
.
In western Uttar Pradesh
, the Bhale Sultan of Bulandshahr District
trace to ancestry to Hamir Singh, a Solanki
Rajput
, who was granted the title Bhale Sultan by a grateful Sultan of Delhi for subjugating the Meo
s, who had been attacking royal forces. He was granted a jagir
near Delhi
, and settled in the village of Amigan. A descendent of Hamir Singh, Khan Chand converted to Islam
, and was granted an estate in Khurja
. Khan Chand was an important courtier of Khizar Khan Sayyid. They are now several Bhale Sultan villages in the vicinity of Khurja
. They form one of the larger Ranghar
biradaris in the district.
The Bhale Sultan in Awadh
have different traditions as to their origin. Those in Sultanpur District
trace their descent from Palhan Deo. This conversion is said to have taken at the time of Sher Shah Suri
. From Palhan Deo descend the taluqdar
families of Deogaon, Unchgaon and Mahona. While in neighbouring Faizabad District
, they trace their descent to Rao Mardan Sinh, a horse dealer from the village of Dundiya Khera, who is said to have to seized territory from the Bhar
s, which was confirmed by the then Sultan of Delhi. A descendent Baram Deo converted to Islam
, and founded the Faizabad
branch of the community.
Besides these taluqdar families, there are several settlements of the Bhale Sultan Khanzada found throughout Awadh
. In Barabanki District
, they are found in several villages near the town of Subeha. While in Sultanpur District
, there are several settlements near Jagdishpur, such Makhdumpur, Kachhnaon, and Nasura. Other settlements are found in Gonda
, Bahraich
, Balrampur
, Shravasti
, Kheri and Raebareli
districts.
s, but incorporate many folk beliefs. In eastern Uttar Pradesh
, the Bhale Sultan speak both Awadhi and Urdu
., while those of Bulandshahr District
largely speak Urdu
. Those who belonged to the taluqdar
families and at one time were substantial landowners, but with the carrying out of land reform by the government of India
after independence in 1947, they lost many of their larger estates. The community is now mainly made up of small to medium sized farmers, growing wheat, sorghum, pulses and sugar cane. They have no caste council or panchayat, although there are localized panchayats in their villages. The Bhale Sultan intermarry into neighbouring Khanzada communities, while in western Uttar Pradesh
, the Bhale Sultan intermarry with other neighbouring Ranghar
communities.
The sense of belonging to the Rajput community remains strong, with the Bhale Sultan 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. Many members of the community continue to serve in the armed forces of India, an activity traditionally associated with the Rajputs. The Bhale Sultan Khanzada, however have been badly affected by abolishment of the zamindari system, with many now destitute. However, 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 in their settlements in eastern Uttar Pradesh
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
community found in 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...
. They are a sub-group within the Khanzada
Khanzada (Awadh)
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 Khanzadas, who are also a community of Muslim Rajputs. They also...
community 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...
.
Origin
The Bhale Sultan Khanzadas are converts to IslamIslam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
from the 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...
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...
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, and different clans have different traditions regarding their conversions. According to some authorities, the word bhale sultan means lord of spear, a title given to army commanders in medieval 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...
. There are in fact two distinct communities of Bhale Sultan, those of Bulandshahr
Bulandshahr District
Bulandshahar District is a district of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. Bulandshahr city is the district headquarters.-Geography:...
and those 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...
.
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...
, the Bhale Sultan of Bulandshahr District
Bulandshahr District
Bulandshahar District is a district of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. Bulandshahr city is the district headquarters.-Geography:...
trace to ancestry to Hamir Singh, a Solanki
Solanki
The Solanki was a royal Hindu Indian dynasty that ruled parts of western and central India between the 10th to 13th centuries. A number of scholars including V. A. Smith assign them Gurjar origin....
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...
, who was granted the title Bhale Sultan by a grateful Sultan of Delhi for subjugating the Meo
Meo
Mayo or Meo or Mewati is a prominent Muslim Rajput tribe from North-Western India. A considerable number of Meos migrated to Pakistan after independence in 1947 and now they are estimated to be over 12 million. In Pakistan, Meos have lost their distinct group identity and cultural traditions and...
s, who had been attacking royal forces. He 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...
near Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
, and settled in the village of Amigan. A descendent of Hamir Singh, Khan Chand converted to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, and was granted an estate in Khurja
Khurja
Khurja is a city in the Bulandshahr district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is situated around 85 km from Delhi...
. Khan Chand was an important courtier of Khizar Khan Sayyid. They are now several Bhale Sultan villages in the vicinity of Khurja
Khurja
Khurja is a city in the Bulandshahr district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is situated around 85 km from Delhi...
. They form one of the larger 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...
biradaris in the district.
The Bhale Sultan 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...
have different traditions as to their origin. Those in 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:...
trace their descent from Palhan Deo. This conversion is said to have taken at the time 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...
. From Palhan Deo descend the 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 of Deogaon, Unchgaon and Mahona. While in neighbouring 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...
, they trace their descent to Rao Mardan Sinh, a horse dealer from the village of Dundiya Khera, who is said to have to seized territory from the Bhar
Bhar
The Bhar are a Hindu caste found in North India. They are also known as Rajbhar. British historian General Cunningham said that Bhars are branch of the Ahir tribe.-History and origin:...
s, which was confirmed by the then Sultan of Delhi. A descendent Baram Deo converted to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, and founded the 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...
branch of the community.
Besides these taluqdar families, there are several settlements of the Bhale Sultan Khanzada found throughout 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...
. 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 found in several villages near the town of Subeha. While in 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:...
, there are several settlements near Jagdishpur, such Makhdumpur, Kachhnaon, and Nasura. Other settlements are found 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....
, 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:...
, 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....
, 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...
, Kheri and Raebareli
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:...
districts.
Present circumstances
They are Sunni MuslimMuslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
s, but incorporate many folk beliefs. In 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...
, the Bhale Sultan speak both Awadhi and 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...
., while those of Bulandshahr District
Bulandshahr District
Bulandshahar District is a district of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. Bulandshahr city is the district headquarters.-Geography:...
largely speak 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...
. Those who belonged to the 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 at one time were substantial landowners, but with the carrying out of land reform by the government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
after independence in 1947, they lost many of their larger estates. The community is now mainly made up of small to medium sized farmers, growing wheat, sorghum, pulses and sugar cane. They have no caste council or panchayat, although there are localized panchayats in their villages. The Bhale Sultan intermarry into neighbouring Khanzada communities, while 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...
, the Bhale Sultan intermarry with other neighbouring 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...
communities.
The sense of belonging to the Rajput community remains strong, with the Bhale Sultan 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. Many members of the community continue to serve in the armed forces of India, an activity traditionally associated with the Rajputs. The Bhale Sultan Khanzada, however have been badly affected by abolishment of the zamindari system, with many now destitute. However, 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 in their settlements in 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...