Lably
Skip to content

Mian (title)

Royal title of India

  • 8 min read
  • 8 chapters

Related on Lably

Through Title, Indian subcontinent and Mughal Empire

In the Mughal Empire, mian indicated a king or a prince under the suzerainty of the Mughal emperor; it is hence roughly equivalent to the title of raja, but could also take the higher meaning of maharaja, in which sense it was used by the Kalhora dynasty of Sindh. It was also conferred by the Mughal emperor Jahangir upon Rajput rulers in the group of northern princely states known as the Indian Hill States. The title is mentioned by the British in The Golden Book of India as one of the principal titles used by "Mohammedan Princely States":

Other Mohammadan titles sometimes equivalent in consideration to Nawab, but not always are Wali, Sultan, Shah, Amir, Mir, Mirza, Mian, Khan; also Sardar and Diwan, which are common to Hindus and Mohammadans.

In Bengal, Mian occurs in many personal Muslim names, generally without any nobiliary or political relevance, although it remains a common part of noble names as well. One Bengali Muslim community in Assam are known as the Miya people.

As a title in India

The Koli rulers of petty Princely States of Ramas, Dabha, Punadra and Khadal used the Mian as their hereditary title.

Sign in to keep reading

7 more chapters are free with a Lably account.

More in Indian history