Wazir Khan

Ustad Mohammad Wazir Khan (1860–1926) served as the head of Arbab-e-Nishat (Music Department of Rampur State) during the period of Nawab Hamid Ali Khan of Rampur. He was also an excellent playwright who established the Rampur theatre in the building of club Ghar in Rampur.

Early life and background Wazir Khan was born in 1860 in the former Rampur State to Ameer Khan Beenkar. He was the descendant of Naubat Khan and Hussaini (Tansen's daughter).

Career Ustad Muhammad Wazir Khan was the master of Nawab Hamid Ali Khan of Rampur, Allauddin Khan, Hafiz Ali Khan, and Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande. Alauddin Khan went on to establish the modern Maihar Gharana, with disciples such as Ali Akbar Khan (son), Annapurna Devi (daughter), Pandit Ravi Shankar (son-in-law), Nikhil Banerjee, Vasant Rai, Pannalal Ghosh, Bahadur Khan, and Sharan Rani. The Nawab of Rampur was pleased with Alauddin's perseverance so he sent the vehicle to fetch Wazir Khan and Alauddin was made the disciple of Wazir Khan. Wazir Khan taught Alauddin nothing for two years and only began to teach him when he came to know about the hardships Alauddin's wife was facing at home.

Family tree

15px I. Samokhan Singh, Raja of Kishangarh. Imperial forces fought with the forces of Mughal Emperor Akbar. Samokhan Singh was killed in battle. 15px II. Jhanjhan Singh, Yuvraj Sahib of Kishangarh. Present in the battle and was killed. 15px III. Misri Singh (Naubat Khan), Yuvraj Sahib of Kishangarh. Put under house arrest. Accepts Islam. Akbar confers title of Khan. Emperor Akbar arranges Naubat Khan's marriage to Saraswati, the daughter of Tansen. Jahangir confers the title of Naubat Khan and promotes him to the rank of 500 personnel and 200 horse. IV. Lal Khan Gunsamundra. Title of Gunsamundra conferred by Shahjahan on 19 November 1637. V. Bisram Khan. One of the chief musicians at the court of Mughal Emperor Shahjahan and Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb VI. Manrang VII. Bhupat Khan IX. Sidhar Khan VIII. Khushal Khan Gunsamundra X. Nirmol Shah XI. Naimat Khan, Sadarang (1670–1748). Developed Khayal, chief musician of Mohammad Shah Rangeela. XII. Naubat Khan II XIII. Feroz Khan, Adarang XIV. Mohammad Ali Khan XV. Omrao Khan XVI. Haji Mohammad Ameer Khan Khandara. Went to perform Haj with Nawab Kalbey Ali Khan XVII. Wazir Khan (Rampur). (1860–1926). Chief musician at the court of Nawab Hamid Ali Khan of Rampur XIX. Mohammad Nazeer Khan XXII. Mohammad Dabir Khan XXIII. Mohammad Shabbir Khan XX. Mohammad Naseer Khan XXI. Mohammad Sagheer Khan XVIII. Fida Ali Khan XXIV. Mumtaz Ali Khan XXV. Imtiyaz Ali Khan XXVI. Imdad Ali Khan