Sial dynasty

Sial dynasty was a Punjabi Muslim dynasty that ruled over the Sial state^[2] (c. 1727–1816) in central Punjab during the 18th and 19th centuries. It was centred around the city of Jhang.^[3][4]

Sial State
c. 1727–1816
Map of the state of Jhang in Punjab in the mid-18th century
Status	Chieftainship
Capital	Jhang
Common languages	Punjabi Lahnda
Ethnic groups	Punjabis (with the Sials being the dynastic rulers)
Religion	Islam (dynastic)
Chief
• 1723 – 1747	Walidad Khan Sial (founder)
• 1747 – 1787	Inayatullah Khan Sial
• 1787 – 1798	Sultan Kabir Khan Sial
• 1798 – 1816	Ahmad Khan Sial (last)
Area
• Total	6,007[1] sq mi (15,560 km2)
Preceded by Succeeded by Mughal Empire Sikh Empire
Today part of	Pakistan

History

Map of Punjab in 1780, depicting Sial capital of Jhang in the Rechna Doab.

Jhang has been historically the stronghold of the Punjabi Sial tribe for centuries. The 13th Sial chief, Walidad Khan established a strong regional state in the early-18th century following the decline of the Mughal Empire, which was supported by a large agricultural base along river Chenab.^[2][1] He gradually gained control of the lower Rechna Doab, including the cities of Chiniot, Pindi Bhattian, Jhang and Mankera.^[5] Next chief, Inayatullah Khan (r. 1747– 1787) was a successful general who won 22 battles against Bhangi Misl and the Multan chiefs.^[5] His son, Sultan Kabir Khan was a mild ruler and his reign was peaceful. In 1798, he abdicated in the favour of his son, Ahmed Khan, who proved to be the last Sial ruler.^[6]

In 1803, the Sikh ruler of Lahore, Ranjit Singh, sent his agents to Jhang to demand tribute from Ahmed Khan. Upon his refusal Ranjit Singh marched with his army to Jhang. Ahmed Khan collected a force consisting of Sials, Kharrals and Bharwanas, but was defeated, ultimately being forced to pay a tribute of 60,000 rupees per year. Ranjit Singh annexed the Sial capital of Jhang in 1807, on the pretext that Ahmad Khan Sial was making an alliance with Nawab Muzaffar Khan of Multan and had signed a secret treaty with the latter.^[6][7] However, Ahmed Khan seized control of Jhang again in 1808 with the help of Pathans of Multan.^[4] Ranjit Singh again invaded Sial-ruled territories in 1810 while going on campaign against the Nawab of Multan, and defeated the Sials.^[5] The Sial rule came to end in 1816, and Ahmed Khan was awarded a small jagir by Ranjit Singh worth 12,000 rupees in the Amritsar District as compensation.^[6][8]