Babi dynasty

The Babi dynasty[1] was a Babai Muslim dynasty that formed the ruling royal houses of British India's princely states. The Babai community, originally of Pashtun descent, now largely resides in India and some parts of Pakistan.[2] The community traces its royal origins to the dynasty founded by Sherkhanji Babi in 1654, who was himself a ruler from the dynasty's founding until 1690.[3] The last Nawab of the British Indian princely state of Junagadh, Sir Muhammad Khanji, signed an Instrument of Accession and acceded his princely state of Junagadh, as well as its vassal state of Bantva Manavadar, to the Dominion of Pakistan after the Partition of British India in 1947. However, the Dominion of India did not recognize the accession and annexed the princely state shortly afterwards.

Coat of arms of Radhanpur State, one of the princely states ruled by the Babi dynasty in British India.

History

The Babi Tribe is a pashtun tribe which originates from eastern Afghanistan and western regions of Pakistan. Babi or Babai (Pashtun tribe) is son of Ghorghasht or Gharghashti.[4] Babi Pathans claim to have arrived in Gujarat during the rule of Shah Jahan. After the collapse of the Mughal Empire, the Babis were involved in a struggle with the Gaekwad dynasty of the Maratha Empire for control of Gujarat. While the Marathas were successful in establishing control over all of Gujarat, the Babis retained sovereignty of the princely states of Junagadh, Radhanpur, Balasinor, Manavadar, Bantva, Pajod and Sardargadh.

They came to India from Khorasan under the leadership of Usman Khan, a follower of Mughal emperor Humayun. Bahadur Khanji Babi, son of Usman Khan, migrated to India and entered service under the Mughals. The hereditary title (Tribe) of Babi was conferred to him in 1554 from Emperor Humayun, for "services against the Rana of Chittor". Sherkhanji Babi, founder of the Babi dynasty in 1654, arrived in Kathiawar in the train of Prince Murad Baksh, the Imperial Viceroy and son of Shah Jahan. Babi descendants are found throughout north Gujarat and Saurashtra. Iconic Bollywood actress Parveen Babi was of Babi lineage, but most contemporary Babis, barring those belonging to princely lineages, are in modest circumstances. Many are petty landowners, but there is marked urbanization among the Babi as well. Though the Babis observe a tradition of endogamy, there are cases of marriages with the Chauhan and Behlim communities, and they accept daughters from the Shaikhs and Sunni Bohras.[5]

Members of this dynasty ruled over the princely states of Junagadh, Radhanpur and Balasinor, as well as the small states of Bantva Manavadar, Pajod and Sardargarh.

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "Babi royal family brings their cuisine to Ahmedabad". The Indian Express. 2019-04-01. Archived from the original on 2019-04-02. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
  2. "AfghanTribes". afghantribes.com. Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
  3. Henry Soszynski. "Junagadh". Members.iinet.net.au. Archived from the original on 2017-05-20. Retrieved 2016-08-07.
  4. Babi, Babi. "Ghorghasht or Gharghashti". Archived from the original on 2018-03-17.
  5. Muslim Communities in Gujarat by Satish C Misra pages 110-111


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