Khan Bahadur


Khan Bahadur – a compound of Khan "Leader" and Bahadur "Brave" – was an honorary title in British India conferred on Indian subjects who were adherents of Islam or Zoroastrianism. The equivalent title for Hindus, Buddhists and Indian Christians was Rao Bahadur/Rai Bahadur and Sardar Bahadur for Sikhs. The title of Khan Bahadur was one degree higher than the title of Khan Sahib.
The title was conferred on individuals for faithful service or acts of public welfare to the British Empire. Recipients were entitled to prefix the title to their name and were presented with a special Title Badge and a citation. It was conferred on behalf of the Government of British India by the Viceroy and Governor-General of India.
Awarding of the Khan Bahadur title was discontinued in 1947 upon the independence of India.
The title "Khan Bahadur" was originally conferred in Mughal India on Muslim subjects in recognition of public services rendered and was adopted by British India for the same purpose and extended to cover other non-Hindu subjects of India. Hindu subjects of British India were conferred the title of "Rai Bahadur".

Recipients

The following is an incomplete chronological list of selected recipients:
File:Medals Chief of Swatis.jpg|thumb|The first shield is of Khan Sahib presented to Khan Muhammad Hussain Khan Swati in 1916, the second shield is of Khan Bahadur presented to same person in 1921 while the third shield of Khan Sahib was presented to his nephew Khan Muhammad Aslam Khan Swati. Picture is taken from a wall of Chief of Swati house at Garhi Habibullah
; Zoroastrian recipients
  • Khan Bahadur Ardeshir Irani, director of the first Indian talkie picture Alam Ara.
  • Khan Bahadur Sir Kavasji Katrak, Parsi businessman and philanthropist.