SHAHIDAN (misl)

LOCATION: Punjab (Ambala Dist.) MILITARY STRENGTH: 5,000 VILLAGES: xx POPULATION: xx RELIGION: Sikh
REVENUE: Rs26,000 (1870)DYNASTY/LINEAGE: Sandhu Jat SEAT: Shahzadpur ACCESSION: 1803

PRESENT HEAD OF HOUSE:

PREDECESSORS AND SHORT HISTORY: The name of the misl was taken after Baba Deep Singhji's martyrdom in defence of the Harminder Sahib (Golden Temple). Their territories were in some districts in Ambala (parganah of Shahzadpur) and the district of Saharanpur. The first two leaders of the misl were considered Shaheeds, or martyrs, by their contemporaries so the misl became known as, Shaheedan, or the followers of the martyrs. The Nihang order of Sikhs maintains the traditions of this misl. The property of the Shahidan chiefs was administered as an independent territory until 1847, when general orders were passed resuming the sovereign powers of all the separate petty states included in the Ambala district. Thereafter the status of the chiefs was as an ordinary jagirdar, but, as such, it ranks second among the jagirs of the district. The succession in the Family follows the law of prmogeniture. The family hold the title of Mushfiq Meherban but prefer to use Shahid. Members were....