Khans of Al-Khilafah
| Khan | |
|---|---|
| noble family (C.1520 to 1686,
2108-) gentry family (C.1694 to 2108) Business family (2037-) | |
| Current region | Al-Khilafah Rasullalah |
| Place of origin | Afghanistan |
| Founded | C.1520 as Kotwal |
| Current head | Abdul-Kareem Khan |
| Titles | Bey (C.1520 to 1686), Beyzade (C.1537 to 1686) |
| Style(s) | Hadrat, Sahib, Ustadh, Ritter |
| Connected members | Grand Imam Sikandar Ali Khan PHD, Ritter Fares Khan KH, Captain Jibril Khan. |
| Connected families | Pizar, Qureshi, Munshi, Shields and Mohammadzai (connected by marriage) |
| Distinctions | Niqaba Al-Islam, Niqaba Al-Mal, Royal Guelphic Order, Hamza Medal |
| Traditions | Sunni Islam
allegiance to the Adil Shahi Sultanate (C.1520 to 1686) allegiance to the British Raj (1858 to 1950) |
| Dissolution | 1686 |
History
The family can be traced to soldiers who came from Afghanistan and served as Kotwals (fort commanders) of a fort called Shiveshvar Kot during the reign of the Adil Shahi Sultanate in Bijapur. Following their deposition, members of the family worked as mamlatdars, magistrates responsible for inheritance of land and the relevant taxes. It was the required genealogical knowledge of this class that preserved the family history. Later on many members of the family worked as lawyers in London.
Political stance
The political stance of the London Khans tend to be supportive of the centre-left Labour Party whilst the Khans in Al-Khilafah tend to support the right-wing to far-right Traditionalist Party.
Professions
Members of the House of Khan have achieved fame in many professions. Among these are Islamic scholarship, the judiciary, business, legal advocacy, law enforcement, the culinary arts and military leadership .