Khan Bahadur – a compound of Khan "Leader" and Bahadur "Brave" – was a honorary title in British India conferred on Indian subjects who were adherents of Islam or Zoroastrianism. The equivalent title for Hindus, Buddhists and Indian Christians was Rao Bahadur/Rai Bahadur and Sardar Bahadur for Sikhs. The title of Khan Bahadur was one degree higher than the title of Khan Sahib.
The title was conferred on individuals for faithful service or acts of public welfare to the Empire. Recipients were entitled to prefix the title to their name and were presented with a special Title Badge and a citation (Sanad). It was conferred on behalf of the Government of British India by the Viceroy and Governor-General of India.[1]
Awarding of the Khan Bahadur title was discontinued in 1947 upon the independence of India.[2]
The title "Khan Bahadur" was originally conferred in Mughal India on Muslim subjects in recognition of public services rendered and was adopted by British India for the same purpose and extended to cover other non-Hindu subjects of India. Hindu subjects of British India were conferred the title of "Rai Bahadur".
The following is a chronological list of selected recipients (the list below is not exhaustive):
1903: Khan Bahadur Din Muhammad, Extra Assistant Commissioner, Kasur, in the Lahore District of the Punjab.[7]
1905: Muhammad Habibullah was awarded the title of Khan Bahadur by the Indian government[8]
1912: Khan Bahadur Sayed Rustom Ali (Registrar, Court of the Political Resident, Aden).[9]
1912: Khan Bahadur, Nadir Husain, District Superintendent of Police, Bengal.[10]
1914: Khan Bahadur Muhammad Hira Khan, (Civil Engineer from University of Roorkee (Gold Medalist); Supervisor, Public Works Department, Lucknow, United Provinces.[11]
1931: Khan Bahadur, Khan Sahib Chaudhri Khair Ud Din, Supridentant Central Jail Lahore, for his personal distinction and services to the Crown and Punjab. For completing the Lower Bari Doab canal and restoring peace in Lahore by being a member of All personal Committee.
1931: Khan Bahadur Maulvi Muhammad Fazlul Karim, Magistrate, collector, and administrator of Refugees, Bengal.[21]
Al Haj Nawab Jam Kambhu Khan, Chief of Samma (title of Nawab, Khan Bahadur, swords of honour), Khan Sahib Jam Mitha Khan (Khan Bahadur, Chief, Sanghar), Nawab Jam Jan Muhammad Khan (Member Legislative Assembly, title of Nawab, Sardar Bahadur, Khan Bahadur, OBE) S/O Jam Sharif Khan S/O Jam Nawaz Ali Khan who was the Nawab of the Samma and Junejo Tribes.
1946: Lieutenant Colonel Khan Bahadur Muhammad Hassan Khan (1900–1948), He belonged to Rasulpur near Domeli near Jehlum. He served in the British Royal Army during World Wars 1&2 as well as the Pakistan Army in the Magnificent 4th Battalion of Engineers Regiment. First Director General Survey of Pakistan. Appointed by Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah himself. He was considered a courageous and generous officer. Pakistan occupied an additional 3871 square km during partition through the Radcliffe award. He passed away on 21 December 1948. His son Lieutenant Colonel Qurban Hassan Khan (Late), 18th PMA Long Course, Chief Instructor Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), later Adviser to the Prime Minister United Arab Emirates. His Grandson Lieutenant Colonel Faisal Hassan Khan is the Third Generation Officer serving the Pakistan Army.
The Quarterly Civil List for Bengal. Corrected up to 1st April 1930. Appendix. Part II. List of Title-Holders and Recipients of Decorations, etc., in Bengal. Page No. 67
Government of Bengal. The Bengal Civil List (Published annually). Corrected up to 1 July 1944. No. 279. Part II - List of Persons in Bengal Holding Titles Conferred or Recognized by His Excellency The Viceroy. Page 443
The Bengal Civil List (Published half yearly) corrected up to 1 January 1937; Appendix – List of Title-Holders and Recipients of Decorations, etc. Page 696
Government of Bengal. The Bengal Civil List (Published annually). Corrected up to 1 July 1944. No. 279. Part II - List of Persons in Bengal Holding Titles Conferred or Recognized by His Excellency The Viceroy. Page 444
1944: "Khan Bahadur Sardar Aurangzeb", the Rais of Malal, As an Assistant Commissioner in the Indian Civil Services. (Published annually). Corrected up to 1 July 1944. No. 279. Part II - List of Persons in Bengal Holding Titles Conferred or Recognized by His Excellency The Viceroy. Page 445
Proceedings of the joint sitting of the two chambers of the United Provinces Legislature. Official report. Vol.16. United Provinces of Agra and Oudh (India). Legislature. 1940. p.29. OCLC15722918. Khan Babadur Khwaja Azizul Hasan Ghori, B.A., Inspector of Schools, Allahabad
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