Sadaat-e-Bara

History

Role in the Mughal empire

The Barha Sayyid tribe was famous throughout the country for its obstinate valour and love of fight, as well as religious fervour. The tribe traditionally composed the vanguard of the imperial army, which they alone held the hereditary right to lead in every battle.

Aurangzeb's warning to his sons to be cautious in dealing with the Sayyids of Barha, "...because a strong partner in government soon wants to seize the kingship for himself", would eventually become true.

Six years after the death of Aurangzeb, the Barhas became kingmakers in the Mughal empire under Qutub-ul-Mulk and Ihtisham-ul-Mulk, creating and deposing Mughal emperors at will.

After the Mughal empire

The Barha Sayyids regained many of their estates from the Marathas and regained their status in the parganah by the time of British arrival.