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

History

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

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

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

Lineage Rulers of Mewat State Reign1st Raja Nahar Khan, f.k.a Raja Sonpar Pal - the founder of Mewat state and the progenitor of Khanzada Rajputs 1372–14022nd Raja Khanzada Bahadur Khan - founded Bahadurpur in 1406. 1402–14123rd Raja Khanzada Akleem Khan 1412–14174th Raja Khanzada Feroz Khan - founded Ferozepur Jhirka in 1419. 1417–14225th Raja Khanzada Jalal Khan 1422–14436th Raja Khanzada Ahmad Khan 1443–14687th Raja Khanzada Zakaria Khan 1468–14858th Raja Khanzada Alawal Khan - won Bala Quila from Nikumbh Rajputs to stop the practice of human sacrifice. 1485–1504 9th Raja Khanzada Hasan Khan Mewati - The last Khanzada Rajput ruler of Mewat. 1504–1527

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

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

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

References