Mian Family Baghbanpura

Mian family of Baghbanpura is a Pakistani noble family. It has enjoyed a prominent role in Punjabi and Pakistani politics since the days of the Mughal Empire. On record, this family is the only one which officially received the Royal title of Mian from Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for their prominent contributions in the region, since 711 AD.

The Shalimar Gardens in Baghbanpura, Lahore.

Belonging to the famous Arain tribe of Punjab region, they originally owned the land near Baghbanpura on which the Shalimar Gardens were built. The land was handed to the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan and in return custodianship of the Shalimar Gardens was granted to the family in 1641. The Mian family ceased to be custodians of the site in 1962, after opposing the imposition of martial law in Pakistan by General Muhammad Ayub Khan.

This family earned more respect for their prominent role and achievements in defending rights of South Asian Muslims during British Raj (1857-1947), establishment of All India Muslim League (1906) and later for their contributions in Pakistan movement (1936-1947). Today many people in Punjab proudly use Mian with their names for nobility.

Family Legends

Muhammad Ali Jinnah (right) taking oath from Justice Sir Mian Abdul Rashid (left) as Governor-General of Pakistan on August 14, 1947

List of some history makers belong to Mian family of Baghbanpura (custodian of Shalimar Gardens, Lahore)

• Mian Muhammad Yusaf (Received royal title of Mian from emperor Shah Jahan)
• Nawab Mian Muhammad Fazil (Received royal title of Nawab from emperor Aurangzeb)
• Mian Qadir Buksh Nadir, (Artillery Commander, wrote "Muftah-ul-Qila" Persian text book on science of gunnery in 18th century)
• Justice Mian Shah Din (1868-1918) - First Muslim Judge in British India.
• Sir Mian Muhammad Shafi (1869-1932) - Member Viceroy's Executive Council.
• Mian Sir Muhammad Shah Nawaz - A Prominent Politician of Punjab in 1920s.
• Justice Sir Mian Abdul Rashid - First Chief Justice of Pakistan (1947).
• Mian Iftikhar ud Din - (Owner, Pakistan Times and Daily Imroz, 1947-1962)
• Begum Jahanara Shahnawaz (1896) - Founder All India Women Muslim League in 1935.
• Bashir Ahmad (Poet, publisher of Urdu literary journal Humayun, Muslim League member and Pakistan's first ambassador to Turkey)
• Begum Bashir Ahmad (1899) - Active member All-India Muslim League and Anjumn-i-Himayat-i-Islam.
• Justice Mian Muhammad Aslam
• Mian Masud Akhtar Rafi - Pakistans first representative on the International Civil Aviation Council (ICAO council)
• Mian Faizan Ahmed - Pakistani Cricketer

References

1. The Punjab Gazetteer, published by British Government in 1892 [1]
2. Tarikh-i-Araian by Ali Asghar Chaudri, published by Ilmi Kitabkhana Urdu Bazar Lahore Pakistan in 1989
3. Father and Daughter: A Political Autobiography‎ by Jahan Ara Shahnawaz - 1971 - 304 pages
4. History of Lahore, by Muhammad Latif, published in 1892
5. Justice Shah Din, by Bashir Ahmad, published in 1962 [2]
6. Empire and Islam, Published by University of California in 1988

External links

• Mian family website