• SHERWANI AFGHAN
• Shah Izz ud-din Husain I Ghori, of Persia
• Sherwani
• Shaikh Nihal
• Shaikh Jaffar
• Shaikh Kakor
• Shaikh Ibrahim
• Shaikh Mahmud
• Shaikh Musa
• Shaikh Ahmad Jawan Mard
• Shaikh Wali
• Shaikh Ali Shah Baz
• Shaikh Ahmad Shah Zinda Pir (Chhut)
• (title: Chief of Malerkotla)
• Sheikh Sardaruddin Sadr-i-Jahan [Hazrat Shaikh]...........1454 - 1508 d. 1516
• Local tradition says that Bahlul Lodhi (1451–1517), the Afghan king who had most of western India under his control, desired to rule Delhi and on his way, he was caught in a sand drift. In the darkness the King spotted a dim light of a lamp still burning in the wind. It was the hut of Sheikh Sadruddin and when the king found out he came to the hut to show his respect and asked the holy man to pray for him to bear a son and have victory. During 1451 and 1452, the king married off his daughter Taj Murassa to Shaikh Sadruddin after being enthroned in Delhi, and also gave him the area of Malerkotla as a jagir.
  Shaikh Sardar ud-din Sardar-i-Jahan, a Sherwani Afghan was originating from Daraban. Received Maler, Hadiya, Barnala, Phul, Mahraj, Longawal, Sankhera, Pail, Chumkaur, Amrgarh, Balian, Amloh and 56 smaller villages near Ludhiana and three lakhs of rupees in dowry, after marrying a daughter: Shahzadi Taj Murassa Begum of Sultan Bahlol Lodhi of Delhi in 1454. He later also married Bhatianiji Murtaza Begum, a Rajput lady from the family of Rai Bahram Bhatti [Kapura], of Kapurthala. He sometimes severed as Sardr-i-Jahan (chief judicial officer) at the court of Delhi. Thus it became the ruling family descends from Shaikh Salar ud-din from this marriage. He died in Maler on 11 October 1516. The descendants of Shaikh Sadruddin branched into two groups. One started ruling the state and were given the title of Nawab when the Mughal Empire arose. The other branch lived around the Shrine of Shaikh Sadruddin, controlling its revenue from pilgrim. He had three sons and one daughter:
  • Shaikh Hassan Muhammad (from Taj Murassa Begum). He was disinherited by his father in favour of his second brother in 1508. He was "Khalifa" of the Hazrat Shaikh Dargah. He died in 1538.
  • Shaikh Muhammad Isa, Rais of Maler (from Bhatianiji Murtaza Begum).
  • Shaikh Muhammad Musa (from Bhatianiji Murtaza Begum). He educated privately. He became a dervish and renounced the material and physical world.
  • Hajjiah Bibi Mango (born at Maler in 1471 and daughter of Taj Murassa Begum). She married into an Afghan or Muslim Rajput family in Tohana, near Jakhal, in the Hissar district. She became a widow after five years into marriage. After her death, she was buried in Tohana.
• Sheikh Isa S/o Sheikh Sardaruddin.........................1508 - 1538
• He got married in 1493 to the daughter of Rai Suba Khan of Sonepat. He died at Maler in 1538 and had only one son: Khan Muhammad Shah.
• Khan Muhammed Shah S/o Sheikh Isa.........................1538 - 1545
• He was born in 1494. Educated privately. Reigned under the regency of Mir Faisli, but killed him and assumed full charge of the state. Deposed by the Delhi authorities but restored on the orders of Emperor Sher Shah Suri in 1543. Got married in 1514 to a daughter of a Rajput landlord from Murinda. He died at Maler in 1545 and had three sons:
  • Khan Muhammad Ishaq Khan [Khwaja Maudad] Rais of Maler.
  • Shah Mansur Khan (born at Maler in 1520).
  • Shah Muhammad Abdullah Khan [Shaikh Abdullah] (born at Maler in 1523).
• Khan Muhammad Ishaq Khan S/o Khan Muhammed Shah...........1545 - 1566
• He was born at Maler in 1518. Got married to a lady from a Rajput family from Bazidpur. He died at Maler in 1566 and had three sons: Khan Fath Muhammad Khan Rais of Maler, Abdul Razzaq Khan and Abdul Haq Khan.
• Khan Fateh Muhammed Khan S/o Muhammad Ishaq...............1566 - 1600
• He was born at Maler in 1543. He got married (firstly) to a Rajput lady from Jhal and later (secondly in 1594) to an Afghan lady from Rupar (she became regent for her elder son during 1600-1624). He died at Maler in 1600 and had two sons from the Afghan lady:
  • Nawab Muhammad Bayazid Khan Bahadur.
  • Khan Sahib Muhammad Bahawal Khan [Babbal Khan]. He was born at Maler in 1595 and was killed by his cousin, Sultan Khan at Kotla in 1653.
• (title: Nawab of Malerkotla)
• Muhammad Bayezid Khan S/o Fateh Muhammed..................1600 - 1659
• Full Name: Saif ul-Mulk, Nawab Muhammad Bayazid Khan Bahadur, Asad ullah Jang, Nawab of Malerkotla.
  He was born at Maler in 1593. Reigned under the regency of his mother until 1624. Entered the military service of the Mughal Emperor, becoming a high-ranking mansabdar. He is said to have saved Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb's life by slaying a charging tiger with a single blow in 1657. Received a sanad turning his hereditary jagir into and Imperial riyasat (state), thereby becoming an independent ruler. Granted the titles of Nawab Bahadur, Asadu'llah Jang and Saif ul-Mulk, from Emperor Aurangzeb in 1658. Bayazid Khan was granted the privilege to build a fort, Therefore founded the fort and town of Kotla from whence the name of the state has been Malerkotla in May 1657. According to family tradition, Bayezid Khan summoned Shah Fazl Chishti, a Sufi saint, and Damodar Das, a Hindu sadhu, to place the foundation stone, thereby also laying the foundations for the spirit of communal harmony and religious toleration that characterise Malerkotla. Bayezid Khan got married (firstly) to a lady from Bahmanian. Later got married (secondly) to a lady from Kapurthala. He died at Malerkotla in 1659, having five sons:
  • Nawab Firuz Khan Nawab of Malerkotla (s/o the Kapurthala Begum).
  • Chaudhri Husain Khan (s/o the Kapurthala Begum).
  • Sahibzada Birbal Khan (s/o the Kapurthala Begum. He died at the age of eleven years).
  • Sahibzada Sarwar Khan.
  • Chaudhri Muhammad Ikhtiyar Khan (s/o the Bahmanian Begum).
• Feroz Khan S/o Bayezid Khan...............................1659 - 1672
• He was born at Fort Kotla in 1616. Received a number of additional jagirs from the Emperor, in recognition of his services against the Rohillas. He died in 1672 and had two sons:
  • Nawab Sher Muhammad Khan
  • Khwaja Khizar Muhammad Khan. He was killed along with his two sons: Khan Nashtar Khan and Khan Wali Muhammad Khan in battle against the Sikhs at Ropar.
• Sher Muhammad Khan Bahadur S/o Feroz Khan.................1672 - 1712
• Full name: Nawab Sher Muhammad Khan Bahadur, Sher Jang, Nawab of Malerkotla.
  He was born at Fort Kotla in 1640. He was granted the titles of Bahadur and Sher Jang, and a Sword of Honour, by the Emperor. Held in near veneration by the Sikhs because he appealed to Aurangzeb to spare the lives of Guru Gobind Singh's two young sons, when captured at Sirhind. He declared that their execution contravened the dictates of Islam and the laws laid-down by the Prophet. According to the Mahan Kosh, when told that the Nawab of Malerkotla had raised his voice, the Guru blessed the house of the Nawab, declaring that its "roots shall remain forever green". He married (amongst others) a lady of the family of Guru Gobind Singh, who he had converted to Islam. He died in 1712 and was buried at the Shahi Muqbara. He had eight sons:
  • Nawab Ghulam Husain Khan (Became future ruler of Malerkotla).
  • Sahibzada Mirza Khan.
  • Sahibzada Muhammad Azim Khan.
  • Nawab Jamal Khan (Became future ruler of Malerkotla).
  • Sahibzada Fateh Ali Khan (killed in the battle against Maharaja Ala Singh of Patiala in 1732).
  • Sahibzada Akbar Ali Khan.
  • Sahibzada Ghulam Ali Khan (killed in the battle against Maharaja Ala Singh of Patiala in 1732).
  • Sahibzada Ghulam Rasul Khan (killed in the battle against Maharaja Ala Singh of Patiala in 1732).
• Ghulam Husain Khan S/o Sher Muhammad Khan.................1712 - 1717
• He was deposed by his younger brother in 1717. He died in 1734 and was buried in Shahi Muqbara, Malerkotla. He had eight sons:
  • Sahibzada Sarbuland Khan.
  • Sahibzada Muhi ud-din Mehdi Bakhsh Khan.
  • Sahibzada Fateh Ali Khan.
  • Sahibzada Sa'adat Ali Khan.
  • Sahibzada Sikander Ali Khan.
  • Sahibzada Qadir Bakhsh Khan.
  • Sahibzada Talia Muhammad Khan.
  • Sahibzada Khan Bahadur Khan.
• Ghulam Husain Khan also had a daughter:
  • Sahibzadi Bulakan Begum, who got married in 1713 to Usman Yar Khan, son of Ali Muhammad Khan Rohilla.
• Jamal Khan S/o Sher Muhammad Khan.........................1717 - 1762
• Full Name: Rustam-i-Hind Nawab Jamal Khan, Nawab of Malerkotla.
  He was the fourth son of Nawab Sher Muhammad Khan Bahadur. Allied himself to Ahmad Shah Durrani, during his invasion of India and was rewarded with a khilat and the personal title of Rustam-i-Hind. He had four wives. His first wife was Nawab Inayat Begum Sahiba and second was Nawab Sultan Begum Sahiba. The names of 3rd and 4th wives are unknown. He was killed in battle against Maharaja Ala Singh of Patiala in 1762 and was buried at Shahi Muqbara in Malerkotla. He had six sons as mentioned below. He also had two daughters; one from his 3rd wife and the another from 4th wife.
  • Nawab Bhikan Khan - Nawab of Malerkotla (s/o Inayat Begum).
  • Khan Bahadur Khan - Regent of Malerkotla (s/o Inayat Begum).
  • Khan Sahib Umar Khan - Regent of Malerkotla (s/o Sultan Begum).
  • Khan Sahib Asad ullah Khan - Regent of Malerkotla (s/o Sultan Begum).
  • Khan Sahib Ata ullah Khan - Regent of Malerkotla (s/o Sultan Begum).
  • Sahibzada Amanat Khan (s/o Sultan Begum. He died at young age).
• Bhikan Khan S/o Jamal Khan................................1762 - 1763
• He joined Ahmad Shah Durrani of Afghanistan, in his war against the Sikhs, and received the right to mint his own coinage. Lost the towns of Sherpur and Bhasaur, as a consequence of his unhappy alliance. He got married only to Nawab Nadira Begum Sahiba. He was killed by a Sikh (shot in the back while drinking), at Kotla in 1763/1764. He was buried at Shahi Muqbara at Malerkotla. His two sons were:
  • Nawab Muhammad Wazir Ali Khan - Nawab of Malerkotla.
  • Sahibzada Fateh Khan.
• Khan Sahib Khan Bahadur Khan S/o Jamal Khan...............1764 - 1766
• He became Regent for his minor nephew, after the death of his elder brother during 1762-1764. In 1764. He later usurped sovereignty. Lost Jarg, Payal and Isru to the combined attacks of Patiala and Kapurthala. He got married in 1764 to a lady from the Malerkotla family. He was killed in a skirmish with Maharaja Amar Singh of Patiala, near Mansurpura in 1766. He was buried at Shahi Muqbara, Malerkotla. His two sons were:
  • Sahibzada Himmat Khan. He died in 1831. Got married and had three sons.
  • Sahibzada Daler Khan [Zafar Khan]. He died 1832. He got married and had one son.
• Khan Sahib Umar Khan S/o Jamal Khan.......................1766 - 01 Nov 1780
• He recovered many of the family territories, which had been lost to the Sikhs. He died at Malerkotla on 01 November 1780. He was buried at the Shahi Muqbara. He had two sons and one daughter:
  • Khan Sahib Husain Ali Khan (son).
  • Khan Sahib Muhammad Ali Khan of Buzynub, Nurbaksh and Nathumajra (son).
  • Sahibzadi Jhando Begum (daughter).
• Khan Sahib Asadullah Khan S/o Jamal Khan...........01 Nov 1780 - Apr 1784
• He got married (firstly) to Nuran Bibi Sahiba and then married (secondly) to Sultan Bibi Sahiba. He died at Malerkotla in April 1784. He was buried at the Shahi Muqbara. He had only one son: Sahibzada Muhammad Ali Khan.
• Khan Sahib Ataullah Khan S/o Jamal Khan...............Apr 1784 - 14 Aug 1809 d. 1809
• He attacked and defeated Sardar Chuhar Singh of Bhadaur and recovered Kawanwala from him. He later attacked Patiala but was defeated at Khanpur and was forced to submit tribute. He joined in alliance with the HEIC to oppose the Marathas, serving under Lord Lake at Laswari and the conquest of Delhi in 1803. He placed his state under British protection on 03 May 1809 and was made part of the Cis-Sutlej states until 1862. Malerkotla ranked 12th in the Punjab Darbar in 1890. He died at Malerkotla on 14 August 1809. He was buried at Shahi Muqbara. He had three sons:
  • Khan Sahib Muhammad Rahmat Ali Khan, of Rahmatgarh. He contested the succession with his cousin, Nawab Muhammad Wazir Khan in July 1810. Reconciled and granted a number of villages, which he erected into the jagir of Rahmatgarh. Served during the Gurkha campaign 1818 and the Anglo-Sikh War 1846. He got married to Zainab Bibi Sahiba (d. 1819). He died at Calcutta on 04 February 1852 and was buried at Malerkotla. He had three sons and a daughter. One of his son was Colonel Khan Sahib Muhammad Dilawar Ali Khan of Rahmatgarh who served with distinction during the Indian Mutiny in 1857 (He died at Rahmatgarh in 1861).
  • Khan Sahib Fazal Ali Khan. He served at the siege of Bharatpur during 1804-1805. He died in 1844.
  • Khan Sahib Imam Ali Khan. He had three wives. He died in 1839. He had one son and one daughter.
• Muhammad Wazir Ali Khan S/o Bhikan Khan............14 Aug 1809 - 04 Sep 1821
• He was born in 1757. He was heir Apparent at the death of his father, but was usurped by his uncles since 1762. He succeeded on the death of his uncle on 14 August 1809. Contested the succession with his cousin, Khan Muhammad Rahmat Ali Khan in July 1810. He appealed to the British authorities and received recognised as the rightful and hereditary ruler of the state. He was installed on the musnaid at Fort Kotla on 29 September 1810. He served in person, during the Anglo-Nepalese War against, in the Gurkha campaign around the Simla Hills during 1815-1816. He died at Malerkotla on 04 September 1821. He was buried at the Shahi Muqbara. He had one son and one daughter:
  • H.H. Nawab Amir Ali Khan Bahadur - Nawab of Malerkotla (son).
  • Sahib Jan Begum. She got married to Khan Sahib Faiz ullah Khan, elder son of Sahibzada Fateh Khan.
• Amir Ali Khan Bahadur S/o Muhammad Wazir Ali.......04 Sep 1821 - 08 Apr 1846
• He served in person during the First Afghan War 1839-1842 at Mudki and Ferozeshah, and rendered further assistance during the Second Anglo-Gurkha War. He was rewarded by the grant of three villages in jagir, a hereditary salute of 9-guns and the personal style of His Highness in 1840. He died at Fort Kotla on 08 April 1846. He was buried at the Shahi Muqbara. He had one son: H.H. Nawab Mahbub Ali Khan Bahadur - Nawab of Malerkotla.
• Mahbub Ali Khan Bahadur "Sube Khan" S/o Amir Ali...08 Apr 1846 - 25 Nov 1857
• He ascended the musnaid on 09 April 1846. Served in the First Anglo-Sikh War and provided a contingent of 700 foot for the Sutlej campaign in 1845-1846. He was granted a personal salute of 11-guns, together with the style of His Highness on 26 January 1847. He assisted the government in the Mutiny campaigns at Ludhiana and other places in the Punjab in 1857. He was granted Fatehpur, Chhanna and Maherna Khurd in jagir for his loyal service. He married (firstly) to H.H. Nawab Maher Begum Sahiba (she died at Malerkotla on 03 October 1872 and was buried at Shahi Muqbara). Got married (secondly) at Malerkotla on 22 December 1848 to a lady from a Rajput family. He died at Malerkotla on 25 November 1857 and got buried at the Shahi Muqbara. He had only a surviving son from Maher Begum: H.H. Nawab Muhammad Sikander Ali Khan Bahadur - Nawab of Malerkotla.
• Sikander Ali Khan Bahadur S/o Mahbub Ali...........25 Nov 1857 - 16 Jul 1871
• He was appointed as Heir apparent by his father in December 1848. Served with his father in the Mutiny campaigns at Ludhiana in 1857. Succeeded on the death of his father on 25 November 1857 (recognized by the GOI on 14 May 1858). Installed at Kasauli on 18 May 1858. He was reigned with limited powers until invested with full ruling powers on 05 March 1862. He was granted a sanad confirming succession in accordance with Islamic laws on 05 March 1862. He was granted a permanent salute of 9-guns on 31 May 1863. He is author of “Tafsir-e Rahmani” (1852). He got married firstly on 1842 to H.H. Nawab Karamat un-nisa Begum Sahiba, daughter of Khan Imam Ali Khan. Got married secondly in 1862 to Bu-Allah Jawaria Begum Sahiba, sister of Muhammad Husain Khan. Got married thirdly in 1865 to a daughter of Alif Khan Nusrat Khani. He died at Malerkotla on 16 July 1871. He was buried at the Shahi Muqbara. He had two sons and one daughter:
  • Nawabzada Ghaus Muhammad Khan Bahadur (born at Malerkotla on 20 December 1849, s/o Karamat un-nisa. He was appointed as Heir Apparent on 18 May 1858. He died from smallpox on 02 January 1860).
  • Nawabzada Roshan Ali Khan Bahadur (born at Malerkotla on 11 October 1861, s/o Karamat un-nisa. He was appointed as Heir Apparent at birth. He died in 1863).
  • A daughter from third wife (She lived only for ten days).
• Sikander Ali Khan was succeed by his adopted son: H. H. Nawab Muhammed Ibrahim Ali Khan.
• Muhammad Ibrahim Ali Khan..........................16 Jul 1871 - 23 Aug 1908
• He was born at Rahmatgarh on 13 October 1857. He was the eldest son of Colonel Khan Sahib Muhammad Dilawar Ali Khan of Rahmatgarh. He educated at the Ward's Institute at Ambala, Punjab. Adopted and appointed as Heir Apparent by Nawab Sikander Ali Khan on 29 June 1871. Succeeded on his death on 16 July 1871. He reigned under a superintendent until he came of age and was invested with full ruling powers during 16 Jul 1871 - 1875. The state was placed under a Superintendent because of the Nawab's incapacity in 1885. Granted a personal salute of 11-guns, together with the style of His Highness on 01 January 1877. He received: KIH gold medal (1877). He got married Fazilatunnisa Begum, daughter of Khan Sahibzada Ghulam Muhammad Khan. He died from cholera at Malerkotla on 23 August 1908. He was buried at the Shahi Muqbara. He had three sons and several daughters, including:
  • Nawabzada Muhammad Ishaq Ali Khan Bahadur (born at Malerkotla on 19 September 1874. He was appointed as Heir Apparent at birth. He died at Malerkotla on 19 February 1884).
  • Lt.Col. HH Nawab Sir Muhammad Ahmad Ali Khan Bahadur (succeeded as next ruler of Malerkotla).
  • Nawabzada Raja Muhammad Jafar Ali Khan Sahib Bahadur. He was born at Malerkotla on 23 September 1886. He educated at Aitchison College, Lahore. OBE (c 03.06.1919). Honorary Additional Magistrate and a State Darbari; in receipt of Rs. 22,650 as maintenance. Additional District Magistrate, MSC, Recruiting Officer for Malerkotla 1943-1944, Chief Recruiting Officer for the Punjab 1944-1945. Granted the personal title of Raja, in recognition of his war services on 13 June 1946. He received: Delhi Durbar silver (1911), Silver Jubilee (1935), Coronation (1937) medals, King George V and King George VI Indian Recruiting Badges, etc. He got married to an Afghan Sherwani lady. He had one son and a daughter:
    • Sahibzada Ghulam Muhammed Khan (son who died in 1920).
    • Sahibzadi Asghari Begum Sahiba. She was born in 1915. She got married to H.H. Nawab Altaf Ali Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Malerkotla (born at Malerkotla in 1912 - died on 09 September 1994; buried at Shahi Muqbara, Malerkotla), fifth son of Lieutenant-Colonel H.H. Nawab Sir Muhammad Ahmad Ali Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Malerkotla, KCSI, KCIE. She died at Malerkotla on 02 January 2008. She got buried at Shahi Muqbara. He had one son and a daughter.
  • A daughter, married in 1897 to Mushfiq Meherban The Hon. Nawab Muhammad Ibrahim Ali Khan Sahib Bahadur, Nawab of Kunjpura (born at Kunjpura, Karnal on 21 July 1879), third and eldest surviving son of Mushfiq Meherban Nawab Muhammad Ali Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Kunjpura, in the Karnal district of the Punjab. She died in 1908, having one son and two daughters:
    • Sahibzadi Umar un-nisa Begum [Nawab Umar un-nisa Begum Sahiba, Sarkar Amma of Kurwai]. She educated privately. Regent of Kurwai for her only son during 1906-1923. She married at Maler Kotla in 1892 to Mushfiq Meherban-i-Dostan Nawab Muhammad Munawar Ali Khan, Nawab of Kurwai (he died from grief over the loss of his only son on 10 September 1896). She married secondly on 02 November 1897 to Mushfiq Meherban-i-Dostan Nawab Muhammad Yaqub Ali Khan, Nawab of Kurwai (died from a mastoid at Bhopal on 01 October 1906). She had one daughter by her first husband, and one son and three daughters from her second husband.
  • A daughter married to Ihsan Ali Khan, son of Ala Dia Khan of the Naharkhani line.
  • A daughter married an Azim Khani.
  • A daughter married a Nusrat Khani.
  • A daughter married Mansab Ali Khan, nephew of Ala Dia Khan of the Naharkhani line.
• Ahmad Ali Khan Shirwani S/o Ibrahim Ali...........23 Aug 1908 - 16 Oct 1947
• Full name: Lieutenant-Colonel H.H. Nawab Sir Muhammad Ahmad Ali Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Malerkotla, K.C.S.I. (03.06.1915), K.C.I.E. (01.01.1921).
  He was born on 10 September 1881. He got educated at Aitchison College and Punjab University Lahore. Superintendent of the state administration 01 January 1903-1905, Regent from 01 February 1905 until his accession on 23 Aug 1908. Succeeded on the death of his father, 23rd August 1908. Ascended the musnaid on 24 September 1908. Installed by the Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab, in person, at the Sheesh Mahal Palace, Malerkotla on 05 January 1909 (installed with full ruling powers). From 03 Jun 1915, he was known as Sir Ahmad Ali Khan Shirwani. Honorary Major in the Indian Army on 14 June 1916, promoted Honorary Lieutenant Colonel on 31 December 1919. His salute of 11 guns included 2 guns as a personal distinction, which were made permanent in 1917. Signed the instrument of accession to the Dominion of India in September 1947. He received: Delhi Durbar gold medals (1903 & 1911), Silver Jubilee (1935), Coronation (1937) and Indian Independence (1947) medals. He got married (firstly) at Malerkotla on 06 August 1898 to H.H. Nawab Dulhan Begum Sahiba, daughter of his paternal uncle, Colonel Khan Sahib Muhammad Inayat Ali Khan. He got married (secondly) in 1903 to H.H. Nawab Malika Zamani Begum Sahiba (d. 1968), a cousin of Major-General H.H. Ali Jah, Farzand-i-Dilpazir-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Mukhlis ud-Daula, Nasir ul-Mulk, Amir ul-Umara, Nawab Syed Sir Muhammad Raza Ali Khan Bahadur, Mustaid Jang, Nawab of Rampur, GCIE, KCSI. He got married (thirdly) to H.H. Nawab Murtaza Begum Sahiba, elder daughter of Khan Sahib Anwar Khan, of the Malerkotla family. He got married (fourthly) to H.H. Nawab Ruqaiya Begum Sahiba, younger daughter of Khan Sahib Anwar Khan, of the Malerkotla family. He died on 16 October 1947 and was buried at Shahi Muqbara.
  Ahmad Ali Khan ascended the throne in 1908 after the death of his father. His formal investiture took place in 1909. From the beginning, his rule was troubled by property disputes among his family. Ahmad Ali Khan attempted to modernize his state and improve the living conditions of his subjects. He built a railroad, schools, hospitals, and a college. He also constructed a bazaar based on Jaipur's "pink city". These projects resulted in major debts for the Nawab and his state. Malerkotla's administration reportedly went bankrupt soon after Ahmad's accession to the throne and remained in this state during most of his rule. Corruption among the state's public services were also a problem. Despite his dire financial situation, Ahmad provided troops and money to the British government during World War I and World War II, incurring even more debts. Nevertheless, British officials generally had a low opinion of Ahmad, regarding him as easily influenced and financially irresponsible.
  Ahmad Ali Khan's full name was inscribed in the coins issued during his reign. He was the only Nawab of Malerkotla to have his name inscribed on the state's coins. Previous rulers had instead inscribed the name of 18th century Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Durrani on their coinage; this tradition stemmed from Ahmad Shah Durrani having granted Malerkotla the right to mint coins in the first place. He had six sons and four daughters:
  • Nawabzada Muhammad Iftikhar Ali Khan Bahadur. He succeeded as next Nawab of Malerkotla (s/o the second wife).
  • Sahibzada Muhammad Mehdi Ali Khan Bahadur. He was born at Malerkotla in 1904 (s/o the first wife). He died after a few months in 1905.
  • Captain Nawabzada Muhammad Mumtaz Ali Khan Bahadur. He was born at Malerkotla in 1906. Educated privately. Cmsnd as 2nd-Lieut Indian Army. Resigned on 10 August 1931. Assistant Recruiting Officer for the Punjab 1943-1945. Received Coronation Medal (1937), King’s Indian Recruiting Badge (1945), etc. Got married a lady three times and divorced her twice.
  • Sahibzada Muhammad Khurshid Ali Khan Bahadur. He died at Malerkotla in 1917.
  • Sahibzada Muhammad Altaf Ali Khan Bahadur. He was born in 1912. He succeeded later as future Nawab of Malerkotla.
  • Sahibzada Muhammad Amjad Ali Khan Bahadur. He died before 1941.
  • Sahibzadi Mahmood Begum. She was born at Malerkotla in 1890. Got married at Malerkotla in December 1920. She was known as "the elder daughter". She died in 1982.
  • Sahibzadi (name unknown) "the younger daughter". She got married at Mussoorie to Sahibzada Raza Husain Khan, younger son of Sahibzada Mumtaz Husain Khan [Chanda Sahib], by his wife, Sahibzadi Shahzadi Begum Sahiba, daughter of Major-General H.H. Ali Jah, Farzand-i-Dilpazir-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Mukhlis ud-Daula, Nasir ul-Mulk, Amir ul-Umara, Sayyid Sir Muhammad Hamid Ali Khan Bahadur, Mustaid Jang, Nawab of Rampur, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO.
  • Sahibzadi Shaukat Jahan Begum [H.H. Nawab Shaukat Jahan Begum Sahiba, of Baoni] (d/o the second wife). She got married in November 1931, as second wife to H.H. Azam ul-Umara, Imad ul-Mulk, Iftikhar ud-Daula, Nawab Sayyid Muhammad Mushtaq ul-Hasan Khan Bahadur, Safdar Jang, Sahib-i-Jah, Mihin Sardar, Nawab of Baoni (born at Kadaura on 07 February 1896; died on 13 September 1977), eldest son of H.H. Azam ul-Umara, Main ul-Mulk, Nazim ud-Daula, Nawab Riaz ul-Hasan Khan Bahadur, Shaukat Jang, Sahib-i-Jah, Mihin Sardar, Nawab of Baoni, by his first wife, a daughter of Khwaja Shahab ud-din Khan.
  • Sahibzadi Fakhri Begum [Fakhri Begum Sahiba of Kunjpura]. She got married in 1932 to her cousin, Nawab Faiyaz Ali Khan Bahadur, Heir-Apparent of Kunjpura and later Nawab of Kunjpura (died 1982), eldest son of Mushfiq Meherban The Hon Nawab Muhammad Ibrahim Ali Khan Sahib Bahadur, Nawab of Kunjpura, by his first wife, the eldest daughter (died 1908) of H.H. Nawab Muhammad Ibrahim Ali Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Malerkotla.
• Iftkhar Ali Khan S/o Ahmad Ali....................16 Oct 1947 - 20 Aug 1948
• Full name: H.H. Nawab Muhammad Iftikhar Ali Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Malerkotla.
  He was born at Malerkotla on 20 May 1904. He was the eldest son of Lieutenant-Colonel H.H. Nawab Sir Muhammad Ahmad Ali Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Malerkotla, KCSI, KCIE, by his second wife. He educated privately by European tutors and governesses. He was Chief Minister of Malerkotla 1946-1947. Installed at the Sheesh Mahal Palace, Malerkotla on 01 March 1948. He Received: Delhi Durbar silver (1911), Silver Jubilee (1935), and Coronation (1937) medals.
  The roots of communal harmony in the area date back to 1705, when Sahibzada Fateh Singh and Sahibzada Zorawar Singh, 9 and 7 years old sons of 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, were ordered to be bricked alive by the governor of Sirhind, Wazir Khan. His close relative, Sher Mohammed Khan, Nawab of Malerkotla, who was present in the court, lodged a vehement protest against this inhuman act and said it was against Islam. Wazir Khan nevertheless had the Sahibzadas tortured and bricked into a section of wall while still alive. At this, the Nawab of Malerkotla walked out of the court in protest. Guru Gobind Singh on learning this kind and humanitarian approach profusely thanked the Nawab of Malerkotla and blessed him with his Hukamnama, Kirpan, etc. Many local people attribute this peaceful strain to the presence of the shrine of "Baba Haidar Sheikh", the Sufi saint, who founded the town of Malerkotla more than 500 years ago. It is noteworthy that during the 1947 riots / violence during partition when Punjab was in flames, the State of Malerkotla did not witness a single incident of violence; through it all, it remained a lone island of peace. The reigning Nawab had declared that for every Sikh or Hindu who perished within his principality, four Muslims would also die in atonement. Though considered an ineffectual ruler and relatively unpopular during his lifetime, Ahmad's policies were later credited with ensuring communal peace in his small state during the widespread religious violence amid the Partition of India in 1947. As result, public opinion of his reign greatly improved after his death.
  He got married (firstly) to H.H. Nawab Zubaida Begum Sahiba (she died young from cancer). He got married (secondly) to his cousin (name unknowm). Got married (thirdly) to H.H. Nawab Yusuf Zamani Begum Sahiba (born at Kurwai Fort on August 1906; died at Malerkotla in 1999), youngest daughter of Mushfiq Meherban-i-Dostan Nawab Muhammad Yaqub Ali Khan, Nawab of Kurwai, by his wife, Nawab Umar un-nisa Begum Sahiba [Sarkar Amma], second daughter of H.H. Nawab Muhammad Ibrahim Ali Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Malerkotla. He got married (fourthly) at Tonk in 1947 to H.H. Nawab Shakir un-nisa Begum Sahiba [Tonk Begum; née Sahibzadi Munawar un-nisa Begum], daughter of H.H. Amin ud-Daula, Wazir ul-Mulk, Nawab Hafiz Sir Muhammad Ibrahim Ali Khan Sahib Bahadur, Saulat Jang, Nawab of Tonk, GCSI, GCIE, by his fourth wife, Nawab Mulka Jamil uz-Zamani Begum Sahiba. He got married (fifthly but divorced in 1974) to Sajida Begum Sahiba [She was born in 1940. She got married secondly in 1980 to Haji Anwar Ahmad Khan. She died at Mohali Hospital on 30th July 2006. She was MLA for Malerkotla in the Punjab state assembly 1972-1977 & 1980-1985, President Malerkotla Punjab Pradesh Congress Comittee (PPCC), Chair Malerkotla Waqf Board, etc. She was the sister of Fayyaz Ahmad Khan].
• India..............................................20 Aug 1948 - date
  Following Indian independence, on 20th August 1948, Iftkhar Ali Khan signing of the instrument of accession to the Indian Union. His state Maler Kotla merged into the newly established state of Patiala and Eastern Punjab States Union (PEPSU) until its merger with Punjab in 1956.

• Pretender
• Iftkhar Ali Khan S/o Ahmad Ali (continued).........20 Aug 1948 - 20 Nov 1982
• During the partition of India, The last Nawab Iftkhar Ali Khan remained in Maler Kotla. MLA for Malerkotla in the PEPSU assembly 1952-1956, and Punjab state assembly 1969-1971. The GOI amended the Indian Constitution to remove his guaranteed position as a “ruler” and his right to receive privy-purse payments on 28 December 1971. He bore his sense of political service to the community. Despite many marriages, the Nawab died without heirs on 20 Novemember 1982. He is buried at Shahi graveyard situated at Sirhandi gate. He was succeeded by his younger brother. However a part of the ruling family of Malerkotla State migrated to Pakistan and their members are living mostly in Model Town, Lahore, as well as in Muzaffargarh and Khangarh.
• Altaf Ali Khan S/o Ahmad Ali......................20 Nov 1982 - 09 Sep 1994
• Full Name: H.H. Nawab Muhammad Altaf Ali Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Malerkotla.
  He was born at Malerkotla in 1912, fifth son of Lieutenant-Colonel H.H. Nawab Sir Muhammad Ahmad Ali Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Malerkotla, KCSI, KCIE. He educated at Aitchison College, Lahore and Royal Military College (RMC), Sandhurst. Sometime Cdt Malerkotla State Forces. Cmsnd as temp Hon 2nd Lieutieut on 01 July 1936. Attached Training Btn Royal Bombay Sappers & Miners Indian Army 01 July 1936 to 01 July 1937, promoted Hon. Lieutieut on 06 August 1939, served in WW2 1939-1945. Succeeded on the death of his elder brother as Head of the Royal House of Malerkotla on 20 November 1982. He Received: Coronation (1937), 39/45 Star, British War, India Service (1945) and Indian Independence (1948) medals. He got married to H.H. Nawab Asghari Begum Sahiba (born in 1915; died at Malerkotla on 02 January 2008, buried at Shahi Muqbara), daughter of his paternal uncle, Raja Muhammad Ja’afar Ali Khan Bahadur, OBE. He died at Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan on 09 September 1994 (buried at Model Town Cemetery). He had one son and a daughter:
  • Nawabzada Muhammad Kazim Ali Khan Bahadur, who succeeded as next Nawab of Malerkotla.
  • Sahibzadi Sarwar Jahan Begum [Nawab Sarwar Jahan Begum Sahiba, of Kurwai]. She got married to Nawab Muhammad Zafar Ali Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Kurwai (born at Sarwar Mahal, Kurwai in 1941), second son of Anis ud-Daula, Nawab Muhammad Sarwar Ali Khan Bahadur, Firuz Jang, Nawab of Kurwai, by his third wife, Nawab Dulhan Aisha Humaira Begum Sahiba, youngest daughter of Nawab Bijli Khan Sardar Ghulam Jilani, Nawab of Wai.
• Kazim Ali Khan S/o Altaf Ali Khan..................09 Sep 1994 - date
• Full Name: H.H. Nawab Muhammad Kazim Ali Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Malerkotla.
  He was born in October 1936. He was the only son of H.H. Nawab Altaf Ali Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Malerkotla. He educated from Aitchison College, Lahore. He succeeded on the death of his father as Head of the Royal House of Malerkotla on 09 September 1994. He got married to H.H. Nawab Hamida Begum Sahiba, daughter of Nawab Faiyaz Ali Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Kunjpura, by his wife, Fakhri Begum, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel H.H. Nawab Sir Muhammad Ahmad Ali Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Malerkotla, KCSI, KCIE. He had three sons and two daughters:
  • Nawabzada Asif Ali Khan Bahadur. He has a son: Sahibzada Omar Ali Khan.
  • Sahibzada Ahmad Ali Khan Bahadur (son).
  • Sahibzada Hashim Ali Khan Bahadur (son).
  • Sahibzadi Uzma Begum (daughter, got married in 1990).
  • Sahibzadi Alia Begum (daughter, got married in 1994).

• c.320 BCE - 180 CE: Maurya
• 1206-1526: Sultanate of Delhi
• c.315-1660: Southern Indian Empires
• 1526-1539: Mughal Empire
• 1539-1555: Suri
• 1555-1858: Mughal Empire
• 1765-1858: East India Company

British India coins:

• 1858-1901: Victoria
• 1901-1910: Edward VII
• 1911-1936: George V
• 1938-1947: George VI

Coins of Indian Princely States and other colonies:

• 1775-1949: Alwar
• 1690-1955: Bahawalpur State - merged with Pakistan
• 1527-1949: Banswara
• 1731-1949: Baroda
• c.1670-1949: Bharatpur
• c. 650 - 1311: Chahamana (Chauhan)
• 1728-1948: Dewas Senior Branch
• 1714-1802: Farrukhabad
• 1493-1769: Gakhar and later Khanpur (Jagir) - merged with Pakistan
• 1724-1950: Hyderabad
• c. 1000 BCE - 1846: Jammu
• 1638-1955: Kalat State - merged with Pakistan
• c. 4300 BCE - 1947: Kangra-Lambagraon (Jagir)
• c. 1000 BCE - 1948: Kashmir
• 1775-1955: Khairpur (Talpur Dynasty in Sindh) - merged with Pakistan
• 1147-1948: Kutch
• 1657-1948: Malerkotla  (current page)
• 1674-1857: Maratha Confederacy
• 1761-1948: Patiala
• 1510-1961: Portuguese India
• 1716-1849: Khalsa Military Government + Sikh Empire
• 736 - 1152: Tomaras of Dhillika (Delhi)

Coins of "Republic of India" sorted under below Presidential rulers:

• 1950 - 1961: Rajendra Prasad
• 1962 - 1966: Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
• 1967 - 1968: Zakir Hussain
• 1969 - 1973: Varahagiri Venkata Giri
• 1974 - 1976: Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed
• 1977 - 1981: Neelam Sanjiva Reddy
• 1982 - 1986: Giani Zail Singh
• 1987 - 1991: Ramaswamy Venkataraman
• 1992 - 1996: Shankar Dayal Sharma
• 1997 - 2001: Kocheril Raman Narayanan
• 2002 - 2006: Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam
• 2007 - 2011: Pratibha Devisingh Patil
• 2012 - 2016: Pranab Kumar Mukherjee
• 2017 - date: Ram Nath Kovind

Others:

• Mandvi-Koliwad Association