Raja Nahar Khan

Raja Bahadur Nahar Khan was the ruler of Mewat and the progenitor of Khanzada clan who were themselves a sub-clan of Jadon Rajput. His original name was Sambhar Pal. He and his brother Sopar Pal (who later became Chhaju Khan) embraced Islam during the era of Firuz Shah Tughlaq. He was also known as Wali-e-Mewat Raja Bahadur Nahar Khan

Background He was the son of Jadaun Rajput Raja Lakhan Pal of Kotla Fort and great-grandson of Raja Adhan Pal (who was 4th in descent from Raja Tahan Pal). Tahan Pal, who founded Timangarh, was the eldest son of Maharaja Bijai Pal (founder of Bijai Garh and Maharaja of Karauli), who was 88th in descent from Krishna.

Conversion to Islam Tughlaq dynasty ruled during 14th century and at one point of time, the local leaders were asserting their independence to a greater extent. Sambhar Pal had risen to prominence during the period. Coercive and co-optative tactics were used by Firuz Shah Tughlaq to tackle such uprisings. Unable to achieve his objectives through forceful tactics, the Tughlaq Sultan then sought a peaceful resolution with Sambhar Pal, who, in a gesture of goodwill, embraced Islam, assuming the name Nahar Khan in 1359. His lineage continued to be known as Khanazadas.

Kunwar Sambhar Pal and his brother Kunwar Sopar Pal, the sons of Raja Lakhan Pal, were in service of Sultan Firuz Shah Tughlaq of Delhi Sultanate. They were accompanying the Sultan in one of his hunting expedition, where the Sultan was attacked by a tiger. Kunwar Sambhar Pal saved the Sultan by killing the tiger single-handedly. Sultan Firuz gave them the title of Bahadur Khan for his bravery.

Haveli Naharwali, in Kucha Sadullah Khan of Chandani Chowk in Old Delhi, is said to be originally owned by him, which later came in the ownership of family of former president of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, where he was born and his grandfather sold it to Prem Chand Gola after whom this area is now called Gola Market.