Wars with the Sikh Empire

A portrait of Sardar Mir Bahram Khan Mazari

In 1836, Mithankot, by then a strong Sikh garrison fortress, was attacked by the Mazari Baloch tribal forces under the command of Sardar Karam Khan, the younger brother of the Mazari Chief, Sardar Mir Bahram Khan. The attack came as result of the constant threats of Maharaja Kharak Singh to Rojhan Mazari. The garrison was burnt to the ground and any prisoners captured were skinned alive. Maharaja Ranjit Singh retaliated by sending Diwan Sawan Mal Chopra, his governor of Multan, to attack Rojhan. Rojhan was burnt. Despite this, casualties on the Mazari side were minimal as the Sikh Army lost the element of surprise and the Mazari were able to evacuate their city in time. They, then took refuge in the Sulaiman Mountains and continued to harass the Sikhs from there. This resulted in constant skirmishes between both the parties. According to book 'Tehreek e Mujahideen', after hearing about the bravery of the Mazari, Syed Ahmad Barelvi of Tehreek-e-Mujahidin, approached Sardar Karam Khan, at Kin and offered an alliance to fight jointly against Sikhs and destroy the Kafir kingdom of Lahore but Sardar Karam Khan refused to accept the offer, after having consultation with his elder brother, Mir Fasih Khan. Afterwards, Diwan Sawan Mal Chopra invited Sardar Karam Khan to Multan where they entered to a mutual agreement which was to be ratified at Lahore.

Finally, in 1838, Mir Bahram Khan visited Lahore with 12,000 Mazari tribesmen and officials on the invitation of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The Mazari were well received by the Maharaja at the Lahore Fort and given a royal welcome. The Maharaja had the Mughal-era Naulakha Pavilion (Saman Burj) inside the Lahore Fort specially renovated for the month-long stay of Sardar Mir Bahram Khan Mazari. This meeting between the two leaders officially brought an end to the long war between the Mazari Baloch and the Sikh Empire that started with the attack on Mithankot. This picture of Mir Bahram Khan Mazari is in the Sikh War Gallery in Amritsar, India, and was painted by the personal French artist of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's court when Mir Bahram Khan Mazari visited Lahore.^[2]

The Panjab Chiefs

Lepel Griffin's book mentions Sir Nawab Imam Buksh Khan Mazari and his son Nawab Mir Bahram khan Mazari:

He (Imam Buksh Khan) speedily recognised the advantages of the new regime of law and order, and threw himself heart and soul into the work of making good subjects of the Mazaries. He never allowed self-interest or partnership stand in the way of justice; and the general recognition of his integrity gave him enormous influence, not only with Baluches generally, but among all classes of the population, Musalman and Hindu. His active and intelligent loyalty was conspicuous on various occasions. In the Mutiny he was made Risaldar of a corps raised for service during the absence of the regular cavalry regiment from Asni. He was appointed an Honorary Magistrate in 1859, and he of disposed all the criminal work arising in the Mazari State. Crime was severely dealt with, and good order enforced; his word being law to his people, who had entire faith to justice. An excellent feeling of loyalty prevailed in his territories. His services were conspicuous in deeling with the Maris and Bugtis, with whom he had considerable influence. He was of the greatest assistance to Sir Robert Sandemen when, he had to bring these troublesome and barbaric tribes under control, and prevent their raids on the British territory. In negotiations with the Khan of Kalat, extending from 1874 to 1877, his services were of value in bringing matters to successful issue. He received the title of Nawab in the latter year for distinguished services generally. He was made a Companian of the Indian Empire in 1884, and four years later was raised to the rank of Knighthood in the same order. He was also a provincial Darbari and for a time a member of the Punjab Legislative Council. The Nawab was unquestionably the best of many excellent chiefs whose aid has been so valuable in watching our western border and keeping it free from the ravages of the semi- civilized races living beyond our jurisdiction. His character was singularly admirable one. His energy remained unimpaired to the last, although he was quite blind during his latter years. He died in 1903 and his eldest son, Nawab Bahram Khan, who inherited the whole of his jagir, succeeded him as a chief of the Mazari Tribe. Bahram Khan has won a prestige in his Tuman and in the neighbouring districts in no degree inferior to that which his father enjoyed. His services are sought outside his Tuman and in other districts in the settlement of tribal and inter tribal disputes: the Jacobabad authorities regularly invite him to attend their Jirgas twice a year. He keeps well in touch with the worlds affairs and never spares himself in the work of the Tuman which he has completely in hand. He was granted the title of Nawab in 1904 and was a Companion of the Indian Empire in 1907. In December 1907 he was appointed President of the Punjab Chief's association and was made a member of the Punjab Legislative Council on 1 January 1910. He is a Provincial Darbari and has been given the powers of an Assistant Collector. Of his brothers, Sardar Ghulam Haider Khan is an Extra Assistant Commissioner and Sardar Ata Muhammad Khan a Deputy Superintendent of Police. Of his other relations, his cousin Sardar Ali Akbar Khan is a Divisional Darbari, his cousin Sardar Taj Muhammad Khan is Subedar-Major of the Baloch Levy and his nephew Sardar Ghaus Bakhsh Khan a Jamadar of the B.M. Police and an Honorary Magistrate and Munsiff.

Mention in Northern India's Who's Who

The book describes him in the following words;

Rahim Yar Khan, Mazari, Sardar, Khan Bahadur, Magistrate First Class, Sub-Judge, Provincial Durbari, Rojhan, District Dera Ghazi Khan. Born 1898. As Musahib Khas to the Honorable Sir Nawab Behram Khan Sahib K.C.I.E, Mazari Chief, gained considerable reputation for having satisfactorily performed a lot of intricate duties. In 1932, on the death of Sardar Mir Murad Bakhsh Khan Sahib the need was felt of appointing a guardian to his minor son, Sardar Mir Balakh Sher Khan. At the Durbar held for the purpose in April 1933, by the Chief Political Agent several Sardars offered themselves for the duty. After due consideration the Chief Political Agent in August 1933, appointed Sardar Rahim Yar Khan as guardian, although Sardar Rahim Yar Khan had not applied for it. He performed this responsible task to universal satisfaction. His high abilities were amply recognized by Government. He was made Provincial Durbari, Punjab and Sind; member, Shahi Jirga, Dera Ghazi Khan; and member, Shahi Jirga, Sind. He was also granted criminal powers 3rd Class and granted an allowance of Rs. 1,250 a year by Government. In 1935 he was invested with criminal powers 2nd class, in 1937 Civil powers 4th Class, and in 1939 criminal powers 1st Class together with some political powers.

In recognition of meritorious services to the Government he was conferred on the Title of Khan Bahadur in 1939.

During the last Great War Khan Bahadur contributed one lakh of rupees to the War Loan and collected several thousands for War Fund.

Khan Bahadur is held in universal esteem for being god-fearing, good tempered, hospitable, merciful and as a friend of the poor. His name and legacy will go down in the pages of history.