Sadaat-e-Bara
Sadat e-Bara sometimes pronounced Sadaat-e-Bahara, are a tribe of Indian Muslim Sayyids, originally elite or noble Sayyid families situated in the present-day Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh in India.
This community had considerable influence during the early 18th century Mughal Empire. Its members were also found in Hyderabad, Karnal District and Haryana, Gujarat & Karnataka, Maharashtra state in India. Some of the members of this community have migrated to Pakistan after independence and have settled in Karachi, Khairpur State in Sind and Lahore.
History
According to one version, the ancestor of the Sadaat-e-Bara, Sayyid Abu Farah al-Husayni al-Wasiti, left his original home in Wasit, Iraq, with his twelve sons at the end of the 10th or beginning of the 11th century CE and migrated to India, where he acquired four estates in the Punjab. These estates were located in Sirhind-Fategarh. By the 16th century Abu Farah's descendants had taken over Bārha villages in Muzaffarnagar.Another version says the family are an Indian Muslim clan, whose claim to be Sayyids has been disputed by some modern historians. American historian Richard M. Eaton considered that their clan was "as native to India as were Jats, Rajputs or Marathas." Also, Dutch historian and indologist Dirk H. A. Kolff argues that the ancestors of the Barhas moved at an uncertain date from their homeland in Punjab to a barren region in the Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh.
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.Conquest of Gujarat (1572–1573)
Akbar’s conquest of Gujarat targeted the weakened Gujarat Sultanate under Muzaffar Shah III to secure its ports and agricultural wealth. The Akbarnama highlights Sayyid Mahmud Khan Barha, a Barha Sayyid, who served as a commander during the siege of Surat in 1573. He led Mughal forces against the rebellious Mirzas, securing a decisive victory. Sayyid Ahmad Barha also played a key role in the siege of Patan, supporting Khan A‘zam against the Mirzas and Sher Khan Fuladi, repelling the besiegers and consolidating Mughal control.Conquest of Malwa (1561–1562)
The conquest of Malwa aimed to defeat the Afghan ruler Baz Bahadur. The Akbarnama records Sayyid Mahmud Khan Barha’s participation under Adham Khan in the Battle of Sarangpur, where Baz Bahadur was routed. The campaign was marred by Adham Khan’s slaughter of Muslim theologians and Sayyids, highlighting their dual role as commanders and victims.Conquest of Rajasthan: Chittor (1567–1568) and Ranthambore (1569)
Akbar’s campaigns against Rajput rulers, notably in Chittor and Ranthambore, were central to his Rajput policy. Sayyid Muhammad Khan aided in breaching Chittor’s defenses against Jaimal Rathore and Patta Singh Sisodia. Sayyid Qasim Barha supported the Ranthambore siege, facilitating Rao Surjan Hada’s surrender. The Akbarnama notes Sayyid Muhammad Khan’s role in the siege of Chittor, where he served as a commander under Akbar, contributing to the defeat of Jaimal Rathore. Sayyid Qasim Barha participated in the Ranthambore campaign, aiding the siege against Rao Surjan Hada, which led to the fort’s surrender.Campaigns against Afghan rebels
Afghan rebellions in eastern India challenged Akbar’s authority. The Akbarnama records Sayyid Ahmad Khan’s efforts in Jaunpur and Bihar during the 1560s, suppressing rebels like Khan Zaman. Sayyid Abdullah Khan fought against Daud Khan Karrani in Bengal, contributing to his defeat in 1576.Aurangzeb era onward
By the time of Emperor Aurangzeb in the 17th century, the dynasty was firmly regarded as "Old Nobility" and held prestigious Subahs such as Ajmer and the Deccan. They formed a Hindustani faction of Mughal nobility as opposed to the Turko-Persian Turani in the late Mughal period.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.