Babi Dynasty

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The Babi dynasty was founded in 1735 by Muhammed Sher Babi (ruled 1748–1758). The last Nawab of Junagadh declared independence in 1947.

The Babi are supposedly a clan of the Yusufzai tribe of Pashtuns,[1] descended specifically from the tribe's Usmankhel sept. They entered India from Afghanistan under the leadership of Usman Khan Babi, a follower of the Mughal emperor Humayun. Usman's son, Sher Khan Babi, arrived in Kathiawar in the train of Prince Murad Baksh, the Imperial Viceroy.[2]

The Babi Pathans claim to be Yousafzais, who arrived in Gujarat during the rule of Mahmud Begada. After the collapse of the Mughal Empire, the Babi were involved in a struggle with the Maratha Gaekwads for the control of Gujarat. While the Maratha were successful in establishing overall control over Gujarat, the Babi remained masters of the princely states of Junagadh, Radhanpur, and Mangrol. They are found throughout north Gujarat and Saurashtra. Most Babi, barring the princely lineages, are in modest circumstances. Many are petty landowners, but there is marked urbanization among the Babi. The Babi are endogamous, but there are cases of marriages with the Chauhan and Behlim communities, and they accept daughters from the Shaikhs and Sunni Bohras.[3]

His descendants ruled over the princely states of Junagadh, Radhanpur and Balasinor, and the small states of Bantva, Manavadar and Sardargarh.

References

  1. ↑ "Junagadh". Genealogical Gleanings. Soszynski, Henry. University of Queensland. Retrieved 2010-04-12. 
  2. ↑ "Junagadh". The Royal Ark. Buyers, Christopher. Retrieved 2010-04-12. 
  3. ↑ Muslim Communities in Gujarat by Satish C Misra pages 110-111
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