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The Royal Jarrals & Rajouri Dynasty - 650 years

The Conquest of Rajauri
Raja Nooruddin Khan attacked the kingdom of Rajauri in Kashmir and captured it in the year 1194 AD. The Jarrals now established Muslim rule over Rajouri, which lasted for six hundred and fifty years.

During this period, the Jarral Dynasty enjoyed a revenue of Rs 300,000 per annum. They were also recorded as being fair to all their subjects irrespective of caste or creed. In fact, many Hindus were employed in senior positions of government and received rewards for their services to the Jarral rulers.

The relations between the Jarrals and the Mughals
The Jarral Rajas of Rajouri accepted Mughal rule and even helped the Mughals in their conquests of the country. Raja Mast Khan, a Jarral ruler received lands yielding revenues of Rs. 50,000 from the Mughal Emperor Akbar for his services rendered in conquests and campaigns.

Shah Jahan requested the Jarral King, Raja Tajuddin Khan for the hand of his daughter, princess Nawab Bai Begum (also known as Raj Mahal Begum) for the Mughal prince, Muhammed Muinuddin (who later became Emperor Aurangzeb). It was also at this time that the royal Mughal court conferred the title of Mirza on the Jarral Rajputs. Nawab Bai was the second wife of Emperor Aurangzeb and bore two sons and a daughter namely Muhammad Sultan and Moazzam Shah a.k.a. Shah Alam Bahadur Shah-1. He became the Emperor of Mughal Empire after the death of Aurangzeb. The name of the daughter was Badarunnisa who died at the age of 19 years in 1673 and was a very pious princess. Prince Mohammad Sultan who was the eldest son died in 1676 in a supervised detention as he had revolted against his father Emperor Aurangzeb.

The relations between the Jarrals and the Sikhs
The period of the rise of the Sikhs to prominence and the Jarrals' relationship with them was one of turbulence, resistance, support and eventually rebellion.

In 1813, Raja Aghar Khan, came into conflict with Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He resisted, but was defeated, captured and later died in prison. His brother, Raja Rahimullah Khan was allowed a Jagir (estate) of 12,000 rupees.

“ Raja Rahimullah Khan made friends with the Maharaja and was employed in many military expeditions, including one against Kashmir which proved successful, and for which he received a jagir worth Rs 50,000. This was held by him until his expatriation in 1841, when he made an assassination attempt on the life of the Dogra chieftain, Maharaja Gulab Singh ”
—Punjab Chiefs

In March 1846 AD, after the defeat of the Sikhs in the First Anglo-Sikh War, under the terms of "The Treaty of Amritsar", Maharaja Gulab Singh bought the whole of Kashmir from the British, which included the Rajouri Kingdom.

Raja Rahimullah Khan's son and heir apparent, prince Faqirullah Khan in conjunction with the then Governor of Kashmir, Nawab Imam-ud-din Khan, refused to recognise the Dogras' rule and fought many battles against the Dogra Army, thus creating a havoc in the region. The Dogras then sought the help of the British to resolve the conflict.

Famous Jarral Rajas

Raja Inayatullah Khan
Raja Inayatullah Khan was the grandson of Raja Tajuddin Khan mentioned above. He was appointed the Governor of the Western Kashmiri Frontier. Punjab Chiefs records, "He was granted Poonch, Bhimbar and certain other tracts. He laid out handsome gardens at Rajauri, built a palace and a Sarai at Inayatpur, and forts at Nowshera and Manawar."

Raja Rafiullah Khan
He was the grandson of Raja Inayatullah Khan. During his rule, a conflict arose between him and Raja Dharb Dev of Jammu, over a boundary dispute. The above mentioned source refers to this episode, "...in the fight which ensued, he worsted the Raja (of Jammu) and beat him back to his capital. To commemorate the victory he removed some bricks from the Mandi Palace at Jammu and placed them in the walls of his own house at Rajauri, whence they are said to have been removed and restored to their original position by Maharaja Gulab Singh."

Raja Rahimullah Khan
Already mentioned above, he also took an active part in service to the British Government. He sent his eldest son, Raja Yahya Khan to take part in the First Afghan War, under Maharaja Ranjit Singh's orders with a force of almost a thousand soldiers. But in the Sikh Wars, he sided against the English. He died in 1847.

Raja Faqirullah Khan
He was the son of Raja Rahimullah Khan as mentioned above. In 1855, Raja Faqirullah Khan was given a choice by the intervening British Government to pick one of the following places for his permanent residence: Fort Sheikhupura, Bara Darri Batala or Musaman Burj Wazirabad. Musaman Burj was reluctantly selected, being closer to Rajouri and with a hope that one day situations would change and the royal family would be able to regain prominence as rulers once more.

Raja Faqirullah bought Musaman Burj from the British Government at a price of Rs 5000 the same year. Musaman Burj is located on the northern end of the city of Wazirabad. It comprised of approximately fifteen acres. There were six acres of gardens in the center with walkways to reach the residence. On the northern end of Musaman Burj, a tributary of the Chenab known as the Pulkhu flowed. As per history, Musaman Burj was built before the time of the Mughal Emperor, Jehangir. Raja Faqirullah further constructed a rest house for his stay while travelling to Kashmir with his wife, Queen Noorjehan. Sir Lepel H. Griffin notes in "He owned, four hundred and thirty two acres in the Mitranwali and Nika Khel villages, Tahsil Daska, Sialkot, and about one hundred acres in Radal, Tahsil Wazirabad, Gujranwala."[5]

He was also an Honorary Magistrate at Wazirabad and a Provincial Darbari of Gujranwala. In 1877, he was conferred with the title of Khan Bahadur. He died in 1889.

It was said of Raja Faqirullah Khan:

“ A friend, once foe, Raja Faqirullah Khan is a well-behaved and respectable man, the eldest son of the Raja of Rajouri in Kashmir, opposed us in the field four years ago like a man and has since conducted himself in his fallen condition like a gentleman. ”
— Sir H.M. Lawrence, Lahore, February 21, 1850

Raja Ataullah Khan
His full rank of distinction was H.E. Sardar Bahadur Lieutenant Colonel Raja Ataullah Khan. He was the elder son of Raja Faqirullah Khan and was born in 1836 in the city of Rajouri. An excellent horseman with a strong personality, he had joined the British Army with his Jarral Horsemen and became part of the Hodson's Horse. He was a tall, brave and a handsome man. He served in the Hodson's Horse and 9/10 Bengal Lancers. Wounded many a times, he was a much decorated soldier of his time. His awards included Order of British India (OBI) and Order of Merit (OM) for valour and bravery. After his death in 1903 when East India Company was Chartered by the Queen and India became part of the British Empire, Order of Merit was converted into Victoria Cross. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and in the year 1885, became the British envoy (Ambassador) to Afghanistan. He was also conferred the title of Sardar Bahadur by the British.

“ He took part in the Second Afghan War, receiving the Orders of Merit and Order of British India. In special acknowledgement of his services, a grant of six hundred acres in Rukhanwala, Tahsil Kasur, Lahore, was to him and his heirs in perpetuity. He was subsequently promoted to the honorary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in his Regiment, the 10th Bengal Lancers...for his services at Kabul, he received the personal title of 'Raja' (though he also inherited the title from his father) ”
—Punjab Chiefs

He was the first Muslim ever to be designated as a British Ambassador. He married the daughter of the Nawab of Farakhabad and sister of Nawab Muhammad Nyaz Khan Bangash located in UP,India. Nawab Mohammad Nyaz Khan Bangash was exiled to Makkah for strongly supporting his people against the Britishers in 1857. Sardar Bahadur Raja Ataullah Khan encouraged his clansmen to join the Civil Service and the Armed Forces. He played a major part in bringing the Jarrals together was able to unite many of the family members who had chosen to live in Rehlu, during the period of their exile. He died in 1903, a highly decorated officer of his time.

Photographs of H.E. Sardar Bahadur Lt. Col. Raja Ataullah Khan are available with his Great Grandson Irfanullah Raja which date back to 1858, 1888 and 1897 and were so kindly provided by Ex-Commandant of Hodson Horse Brig. Jiti Chaudhary in India. Contact at e-mail address: rajamedlink@hotmail.com

Raja Hamidullah Khan
He was the grandson of Raja Rahimullah Khan and nephew of the respected Khan Bahadur Raja Faqirullah Khan.

“ Raja Hamidullah Khan, having furnished levies who were employed in Hoshiarpur, Kulu, Kangra and Dharamsala, under the orders of the Rajouri (Jarral) clan. They behaved in an exemplary way, and a relation of Hamidullah Khan had charge of all posts of trust at Dharamsala. His uncle, Nawab Khan fought on our side at Multan, and accompanied General Taylor with a body of retainers when that officer proceeded to Nurpur to Taylor to disarm a wing of the 4th Native Infantry. In recognition of these services Hamidullah Khan received a Khilat of Rs.1,000 and the title of 'Raja Bahadur'... (also) took service under Government, and died as an Extra Assistant Commissioner in 1879. He was succeeded by his son Niamatullah Khan, who was given the title of 'Raja' as a personal distinction and made an Honorary Extra Assistant Commissioner. ”
—Punjab Chiefs

Niamatullah Khan was also a Divisional Darbari, and his younger brother Karamatullah Khan was a Tahsildar.

Raja Ikramullah Khan
Raja Ikram Ullah Khan, son of Sardar Bahadur Lt. Colonel Raja Ataullah Khan was born at Wazirabad in 1874. He was the only son of Raja Ataullah Khan and rose to prominence locally as well in the state of Punjab. He was also an Honorary Magistrate in Gujranwala and inherited his father's seat in the Provincial Darbars.

He was member of Council of State for the Viceroy of India and First Chairman of the District Board of Gujranwala. He fathered five sons namely:

H.E. Lieutenant Colonel Raja Abdullah Khan (1897-1969), who continued the tradition of dignity. He was Pakistan's ambassador to Brazil in 1956
Lt. Col. Raja Karamullah Khan (d 1973).
Raja Azizullah Khan (1905-1974).
'Kunwar Saadatullah Khan (19011-1965).
'Kunwar Izazullah khan



The Royal Jarrals & Rajouri Dynasty - 650 years The Conquest of Rajauri Raja Nooruddin Khan attacked the kingdom of Rajauri in Kashmir and captured it in the year 1194 AD. The Jarrals now established Muslim rule over Rajouri, which lasted for six hundred and fifty years. During this period, the Jarral Dynasty enjoyed a revenue of Rs 300,000 per annum. They were also recorded as being fair to all their subjects irrespective of caste or creed. In fact, many Hindus were employed in senior positions of government and received rewards for their services to the Jarral rulers. The relations between the Jarrals and the Mughals The Jarral Rajas of Rajouri accepted Mughal rule and even helped the Mughals in their conquests of the country. Raja Mast Khan, a Jarral ruler received lands yielding revenues of Rs. 50,000 from the Mughal Emperor Akbar for his services rendered in conquests and campaigns. Shah Jahan requested the Jarral King, Raja Tajuddin Khan for the hand of his daughter, princess Nawab Bai Begum (also known as Raj Mahal Begum) for the Mughal prince, Muhammed Muinuddin (who later became Emperor Aurangzeb). It was also at this time that the royal Mughal court conferred the title of Mirza on the Jarral Rajputs. Nawab Bai was the second wife of Emperor Aurangzeb and bore two sons and a daughter namely Muhammad Sultan and Moazzam Shah a.k.a. Shah Alam Bahadur Shah-1. He became the Emperor of Mughal Empire after the death of Aurangzeb. The name of the daughter was Badarunnisa who died at the age of 19 years in 1673 and was a very pious princess. Prince Mohammad Sultan who was the eldest son died in 1676 in a supervised detention as he had revolted against his father Emperor Aurangzeb. The relations between the Jarrals and the Sikhs The period of the rise of the Sikhs to prominence and the Jarrals' relationship with them was one of turbulence, resistance, support and eventually rebellion. In 1813, Raja Aghar Khan, came into conflict with Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He resisted, but was defeated, captured and later died in prison. His brother, Raja Rahimullah Khan was allowed a Jagir (estate) of 12,000 rupees. “ Raja Rahimullah Khan made friends with the Maharaja and was employed in many military expeditions, including one against Kashmir which proved successful, and for which he received a jagir worth Rs 50,000. This was held by him until his expatriation in 1841, when he made an assassination attempt on the life of the Dogra chieftain, Maharaja Gulab Singh ” —Punjab Chiefs In March 1846 AD, after the defeat of the Sikhs in the First Anglo-Sikh War, under the terms of "The Treaty of Amritsar", Maharaja Gulab Singh bought the whole of Kashmir from the British, which included the Rajouri Kingdom. Raja Rahimullah Khan's son and heir apparent, prince Faqirullah Khan in conjunction with the then Governor of Kashmir, Nawab Imam-ud-din Khan, refused to recognise the Dogras' rule and fought many battles against the Dogra Army, thus creating a havoc in the region. The Dogras then sought the help of the British to resolve the conflict. Famous Jarral Rajas Raja Inayatullah Khan Raja Inayatullah Khan was the grandson of Raja Tajuddin Khan mentioned above. He was appointed the Governor of the Western Kashmiri Frontier. Punjab Chiefs records, "He was granted Poonch, Bhimbar and certain other tracts. He laid out handsome gardens at Rajauri, built a palace and a Sarai at Inayatpur, and forts at Nowshera and Manawar." Raja Rafiullah Khan He was the grandson of Raja Inayatullah Khan. During his rule, a conflict arose between him and Raja Dharb Dev of Jammu, over a boundary dispute. The above mentioned source refers to this episode, "...in the fight which ensued, he worsted the Raja (of Jammu) and beat him back to his capital. To commemorate the victory he removed some bricks from the Mandi Palace at Jammu and placed them in the walls of his own house at Rajauri, whence they are said to have been removed and restored to their original position by Maharaja Gulab Singh." Raja Rahimullah Khan Already mentioned above, he also took an active part in service to the British Government. He sent his eldest son, Raja Yahya Khan to take part in the First Afghan War, under Maharaja Ranjit Singh's orders with a force of almost a thousand soldiers. But in the Sikh Wars, he sided against the English. He died in 1847. Raja Faqirullah Khan He was the son of Raja Rahimullah Khan as mentioned above. In 1855, Raja Faqirullah Khan was given a choice by the intervening British Government to pick one of the following places for his permanent residence: Fort Sheikhupura, Bara Darri Batala or Musaman Burj Wazirabad. Musaman Burj was reluctantly selected, being closer to Rajouri and with a hope that one day situations would change and the royal family would be able to regain prominence as rulers once more. Raja Faqirullah bought Musaman Burj from the British Government at a price of Rs 5000 the same year. Musaman Burj is located on the northern end of the city of Wazirabad. It comprised of approximately fifteen acres. There were six acres of gardens in the center with walkways to reach the residence. On the northern end of Musaman Burj, a tributary of the Chenab known as the Pulkhu flowed. As per history, Musaman Burj was built before the time of the Mughal Emperor, Jehangir. Raja Faqirullah further constructed a rest house for his stay while travelling to Kashmir with his wife, Queen Noorjehan. Sir Lepel H. Griffin notes in "He owned, four hundred and thirty two acres in the Mitranwali and Nika Khel villages, Tahsil Daska, Sialkot, and about one hundred acres in Radal, Tahsil Wazirabad, Gujranwala."[5] He was also an Honorary Magistrate at Wazirabad and a Provincial Darbari of Gujranwala. In 1877, he was conferred with the title of Khan Bahadur. He died in 1889. It was said of Raja Faqirullah Khan: “ A friend, once foe, Raja Faqirullah Khan is a well-behaved and respectable man, the eldest son of the Raja of Rajouri in Kashmir, opposed us in the field four years ago like a man and has since conducted himself in his fallen condition like a gentleman. ” — Sir H.M. Lawrence, Lahore, February 21, 1850 Raja Ataullah Khan His full rank of distinction was H.E. Sardar Bahadur Lieutenant Colonel Raja Ataullah Khan. He was the elder son of Raja Faqirullah Khan and was born in 1836 in the city of Rajouri. An excellent horseman with a strong personality, he had joined the British Army with his Jarral Horsemen and became part of the Hodson's Horse. He was a tall, brave and a handsome man. He served in the Hodson's Horse and 9/10 Bengal Lancers. Wounded many a times, he was a much decorated soldier of his time. His awards included Order of British India (OBI) and Order of Merit (OM) for valour and bravery. After his death in 1903 when East India Company was Chartered by the Queen and India became part of the British Empire, Order of Merit was converted into Victoria Cross. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and in the year 1885, became the British envoy (Ambassador) to Afghanistan. He was also conferred the title of Sardar Bahadur by the British. “ He took part in the Second Afghan War, receiving the Orders of Merit and Order of British India. In special acknowledgement of his services, a grant of six hundred acres in Rukhanwala, Tahsil Kasur, Lahore, was to him and his heirs in perpetuity. He was subsequently promoted to the honorary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in his Regiment, the 10th Bengal Lancers...for his services at Kabul, he received the personal title of 'Raja' (though he also inherited the title from his father) ” —Punjab Chiefs He was the first Muslim ever to be designated as a British Ambassador. He married the daughter of the Nawab of Farakhabad and sister of Nawab Muhammad Nyaz Khan Bangash located in UP,India. Nawab Mohammad Nyaz Khan Bangash was exiled to Makkah for strongly supporting his people against the Britishers in 1857. Sardar Bahadur Raja Ataullah Khan encouraged his clansmen to join the Civil Service and the Armed Forces. He played a major part in bringing the Jarrals together was able to unite many of the family members who had chosen to live in Rehlu, during the period of their exile. He died in 1903, a highly decorated officer of his time. Photographs of H.E. Sardar Bahadur Lt. Col. Raja Ataullah Khan are available with his Great Grandson Irfanullah Raja which date back to 1858, 1888 and 1897 and were so kindly provided by Ex-Commandant of Hodson Horse Brig. Jiti Chaudhary in India. Contact at e-mail address: rajamedlink@hotmail.com Raja Hamidullah Khan He was the grandson of Raja Rahimullah Khan and nephew of the respected Khan Bahadur Raja Faqirullah Khan. “ Raja Hamidullah Khan, having furnished levies who were employed in Hoshiarpur, Kulu, Kangra and Dharamsala, under the orders of the Rajouri (Jarral) clan. They behaved in an exemplary way, and a relation of Hamidullah Khan had charge of all posts of trust at Dharamsala. His uncle, Nawab Khan fought on our side at Multan, and accompanied General Taylor with a body of retainers when that officer proceeded to Nurpur to Taylor to disarm a wing of the 4th Native Infantry. In recognition of these services Hamidullah Khan received a Khilat of Rs.1,000 and the title of 'Raja Bahadur'... (also) took service under Government, and died as an Extra Assistant Commissioner in 1879. He was succeeded by his son Niamatullah Khan, who was given the title of 'Raja' as a personal distinction and made an Honorary Extra Assistant Commissioner. ” —Punjab Chiefs Niamatullah Khan was also a Divisional Darbari, and his younger brother Karamatullah Khan was a Tahsildar. Raja Ikramullah Khan Raja Ikram Ullah Khan, son of Sardar Bahadur Lt. Colonel Raja Ataullah Khan was born at Wazirabad in 1874. He was the only son of Raja Ataullah Khan and rose to prominence locally as well in the state of Punjab. He was also an Honorary Magistrate in Gujranwala and inherited his father's seat in the Provincial Darbars. He was member of Council of State for the Viceroy of India and First Chairman of the District Board of Gujranwala. He fathered five sons namely: H.E. Lieutenant Colonel Raja Abdullah Khan (1897-1969), who continued the tradition of dignity. He was Pakistan's ambassador to Brazil in 1956 Lt. Col. Raja Karamullah Khan (d 1973). Raja Azizullah Khan (1905-1974). 'Kunwar Saadatullah Khan (19011-1965). 'Kunwar Izazullah khan							Maps Kashmir Map Rajouri Map Jarral Population Map - UK Jarral Population Map - South Asia Jarral Population Map - Pakistan 1947 - Gadar Find out about 1947 war and mass Jarral migration to Pakistan. Also the story of those who choose to stayed back. More From Gadar to Galgit The story of Late Con. Hassan Jarral - The conqueror of Gulgit. More Golden Moments (1947 to 2005) Contact us - Click here The golden times for Jarrals after mass migration, the hardships and the return of Golden Moments. More