Bisen Khanzada

Bisen is derived from the Sanskrit word which means "one-man army". Bisen are also known as Mall Rajput (Mall Bisen). They are found mainly in the Districts of Mau, GKP, Kushinagar and Devoria. They are rajput found in India mainly in Uttar Pradesh widely spread across Bihar, MP, HP and other areas. They are well known for their power and words. They were the older rajputs among with others.

Origin

The Bisen are from Bisen Rajput community. There are in fact several distinct communities of Bisen scattered throughout eastern Uttar Pradesh. Each. Perhaps the most famous Bisen Khanzada family is said of the taluqdars of Usmanpur in Barabanki District. This estate was founded by one Kaunsal Singh(Raja Khushhal singh), who obtained an estate as a reward for military service under the period of mughal emperor Humayun. One of his two son Thakur lakhan singh converted to islam & took the nameThakur lakhu khan.he devided his state into three taluqas (lakhupur,Usmanpur &kothi)The estate of Usmanpur was founded by Ghanzafar Khan(the grand son of lakhu khan), who was confirmed ownership of Usmanpur and neighbouring villages by the Nawabs of Awadh.^[1]

In addition to the Rajah of Usmanpur, prominent Bisen families are also found in Balrampur District, where the zamindars of Mahua and Burhapara were substantial landowners.

Present circumstances

They are Hindu rajput, except the taluqdar families, but incorporate many folk beliefs. They are found mainly in the districts of Basti, Mau, Gorakhpur, Azamgarh, Sitapur, Faizabad, Barabanki, Sultanpur and Balrampur. The Bisen Khanzada are no longer substantial landowners, as their large estates have now been broken up. Most are now small to medium sized farmers.

The sense of belonging to the Rajput community remains strong, with the Bisen Khanzada still strongly identifying themselves with the wider Rajput community of Awadh, and often refer to themselves as simply Rajput. This is shown by the persistence in their marriages of Rajput customs, like bursting of fire crackers and sending specially made laddoos to biradati members. Many members of the community continue to serve in the armed forces of India, an activity traditionally associated with the Rajputs. The Khanzada, however have been badly affected by abolishment of the zamindari system, with many now destitute. However, like other Indians, there is growing movement towards rthodoxy, with many of their villages containing schools, with it beginning to replace the Awadhi dialect they traditionally spoke.^[2]

See also

• Bisen
• Sikarwar Khanzada

References