Maulaheri Jats

Maulaheri Jats is a Jat family that derives its name from the Village of Maulaheri, situated on the banks of the Hindon River, in the district of Muzaffarnagar in Western Uttar Pradesh. The Maulaheri Jats were the most promionent family of Jat landlords in Western Uttar Pradesh. To quote The Imperial Gazetteer of India 1901- Gazetteer of Muzaffar Nagar, "The chief Jat landholder in the district is Chaudhri Ghasiram, the son of Chaudhri Jawahir Singh of Maulaheri in tahsil Muzaffarnagar. He is the head of the great family of Maulaheri Jats, and owns twelve villages, paying a revenue of Rs. 9736. Of these six lie in Baghra, three in Muzaffarnagar, two in Khatauli and one in Bhuma Sambalhera."^[1]

History

The Maulaheri Jats came into prominence during the Third battle of Panipat. One of the ancestors of the Maulaheri Jats had risen to become a General in the Maratha Army and was in charge of the outpost of the Marathas at Shukartal, on the river Ganges. When the Marathas lost the Third battle of Panipat, Ahmed Shah Abdali rewarded all his allies including Najib-ul-Daula with gold and precious stones, among other things. Najib-ul-Daula was returning victorious from Panipat when he was ambushed at Shukartal by the Maratha outpost and relieved of all his precious belongings by the Maulaheri General. As a consequence, Najib-ul-Daula also had to surrender the Doab. The Jat General from Maulaheri became famous for this act, and was given a jagir in Maulaheri, giving rise to the name.

The Maulaheri Jats grew in prominence over the years and became the most distinguished and respected family among the Jats in western UP. At one point, the family owned over 36,000 acres of land, in over 20 villages. The family also built two beautiful palaces in Maulaheri (which are in ruins now).

The family also had close links with the family of Liaquat Ali Khan, the first Prime Minister of India, and fellow aristocrat, whose land holdings lay next to the Maulaheri Jats in the United Provinces of pre-independent India.

1. ^ http://muzaffarnagar.nic.in/CHAPTER%20III.HTM