Nawab of Pataudi

The term Nawab of Pataudi may refer to any of an Afghan/Pashtun lineage of rulers of the princely Pataudi State in India, but most commonly refers to the 8th Nawab, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, who played cricket for both England and India. Both he and his son the 9th Nawab captained the Indian cricket team. Actor Saif Ali Khan, son of the ninth Nawab, was recently made the successive Nawab.

A Nawab was originally the provincial governor or viceroy of a province or region of the Mughal empire. Since most of the Muslim rulers of the subcontinent had accepted the authority of the Mughals, the term "Nawab" is generally understood to mean any Muslim ruler in the subcontinent. Under British rule, Nawabs ruled several princely states including Pataudi.

However the title is also much used as a prefix (similar to Lord in English peerage) by Muslim aristocrats or landed gentry in the subcontinent prior to Independence of India.

The Pataudi Palace is now a heritage hotel.