A portrait of abdullah khan from padshahnama folio

The Mian is a royal

title A title is one or more words used before or after a person's name, in certain contexts. It may signify their generation, official position, military rank, professional or academic qualification, or nobility. In some languages, titles may be ins ...

of the

Indian subcontinent The Indian subcontinent is a physiographic region of Asia below the Himalayas which projects into the Indian Ocean between the Bay of Bengal to the east and the Arabian Sea to the west. It is now divided between Bangladesh, India, and Pakista ...

, also sometimes used as a surname.

Begum Begum (also begüm, bagum, begom, begam, baigum or beygum) is an honorific title from Central Asia, Central and South Asia, often used by leading women in society, including Royal family, royals, aristocrats, first lady, first ladies and prime ...

or Beygum, is used to describe the wife of a Mian. It is used by several monarchs of Indian states. In the

Mughal Empire The Mughal Empire was an Early modern period, early modern empire in South Asia. At its peak, the empire stretched from the outer fringes of the Indus River Basin in the west, northern Afghanistan in the northwest, and Kashmir in the north, to ...

, ''mian'' indicated a king or a prince under the

suzerainty A suzerain (, from Old French "above" + "supreme, chief") is a person, state (polity)">state or polity who has supremacy and dominant influence over the foreign policy">polity.html" ;"title="state (polity)">state or polity">state (polity)">st ...

of the

Mughal emperor The emperors of the Mughal Empire, who were all members of the Timurid dynasty (House of Babur), ruled the empire from its inception on 21 April 1526 to its dissolution on 21 September 1857. They were supreme monarchs of the Mughal Empire in ...

; it is hence roughly equivalent to the title of ''

raja Raja (; from , IAST ') is a noble or royal Sanskrit title historically used by some Indian subcontinent, Indian rulers and monarchs and highest-ranking nobles. The title was historically used in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. T ...

'', but could also take the higher meaning of ''

maharaja Maharaja (also spelled Maharajah or Maharaj; ; feminine: Maharani) is a royal title in Indian subcontinent, Indian subcontinent of Sanskrit origin. In modern India and Medieval India, medieval northern India, the title was equivalent to a pri ...

'', in which sense it was used by the

Kalhora dynasty The Kalhora dynasty () was a Sindhi Muslim Kalhora tribe dynasty based in the region of Sindh, present day Pakistan. The dynasty governed much of Sindh and parts of Kutch (present-day Gujarat, India) between 1701 and 1783 from their capital of ...

Sindh Sindh ( ; ; , ; abbr. SD, historically romanized as Sind (caliphal province), Sind or Scinde) is a Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Pakistan. Located in the Geography of Pakistan, southeastern region of the country, Sindh is t ...

. It was also conferred by the Mughal emperor

Jahangir Nur-ud-din Muhammad Salim (31 August 1569 – 28 October 1627), known by his imperial name Jahangir (; ), was List of emperors of the Mughal Empire, Emperor of Hindustan from 1605 until his death in 1627, and the fourth Mughal emperors, Mughal ...

upon

Rajput Rājpūt (, from Sanskrit ''rājaputra'' meaning "son of a king"), also called Thākur (), is a large multi-component cluster of castes, kin bodies, and local groups, sharing social status and ideology of genealogical descent originating fro ...

rulers in the group of northern princely states known as the Indian Hill States. The title is mentioned by the

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. * British national identity, the characteristics of British people and culture ...

in ''The Golden Book of India'' as one of the principal titles used by " Mohammedan Princely States":

Other Mohammadan titles sometimes equivalent in consideration to
Nawab Nawab is a royal title indicating a ruler, often of a South Asian state, in many ways comparable to the Western title of Prince. The relationship of a Nawab to the Emperor of India has been compared to that of the Kingdom of Saxony, Kings of ...
, but not always are
Wali The term ''wali'' is most commonly used by Muslims to refer to a saint, or literally a "friend of God".John Renard, ''Friends of God: Islamic Images of Piety, Commitment, and Servanthood'' (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2008); John ...
,
Sultan Sultan (; ', ) is a position with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", derived from the verbal noun ', meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be use ...
,
Shah Shāh (; ) is a royal title meaning "king" in the Persian language.Yarshater, Ehsa, ''Iranian Studies'', vol. XXII, no. 1 (1989) Though chiefly associated with the monarchs of Iran, it was also used to refer to the leaders of numerous Per ...
,
Amir Emir (; ' (), also transliterated as amir, is a word of Arabic origin that can refer to a male monarch, aristocrat, holder of high-ranking military or political office, or other person possessing actual or ceremonial authority. The title has ...
,
Mir ''Mir'' (, ; ) was a space station operated in low Earth orbit from 1986 to 2001, first by the Soviet Union and later by the Russia, Russian Federation. ''Mir'' was the first modular space station and was assembled in orbit from 1986 to ...
, Mirza, Mian, Khan; also
Sardar Sardar, also spelled as Sardaar (, , 'commander', literally 'headmaster'), is a title of royal family, royalty and nobility that was originally used to denote princes, noblemen, chiefs, kings and other Aristocracy (class), aristocrats. It ha ...
and Diwan, which are common to
Hindus Hindus (; ; also known as Sanātanīs) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism, also known by its endonym Sanātana Dharma. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pp. 35–37 Historically, the term has also be ...
and Mohammadans.

As a title in India

The Koli rulers of petty Princely States of Ramas, Dabha, Punadra and Khadal used the Mian as their hereditary title.

Etymology

Mian is said to literally mean "Prince". Although it may also be translated as "Lord" or "Master".

Compound Derivatives

The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb conferred the compound derivative of Sayyid Mian upon Abdullah Khan Barha. The compound title Miangul is used by all member of the erstwhile state

Swat A SWAT (''Special Weapons and Tactics'') team is a generic term for a police tactical unit within the United States, though the term has also been used by other nations. SWAT units are generally trained, equipped, and deployed to res ...

including the head of the house. . While in Sangri state the ruler is addressed as Rai Mian.

British Era

The title was translated by the British as meaning "Prince", "Lord" or "Master". The title was often used by rulers of

Jagir A jagir (), ( Hindustani: जागीर/جاگیر, ''Jāgīr''), ( Marathi: जहागीर, ''Jahāgīrá'') also spelled as jageer, was a type of feudal land grant in the Indian subcontinent at the foundation of its Jagirdar ( Zamindar ...

s as well as Princes of Blood of both Hindu Rajput States, as well as Muslim Princely States. The title held pre-eminence in Sindh where it was used by the dynasts of the former Royal dynasties of Kahlora dynasty and

Soomro Soomro ( Sindhi: , Devanagari: सूमरो), Soomra, Sumrah or Sumra is a tribe having a local origin in Sindh, Pakistan. They are found in Sindh, parts of Punjab especially bordering Sindh, Balochistan province, and the Kutch district of ...

and held in that capacity by the former Soomro Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Mian Soomro. The title was prominent in the Himalayan region as well as regions adjacent to it. The British noted in the Gurdaspur Imperial Gazetteer that the title Mian held the highest rank above Malik or Chaudhry within the Gurdaspur District of Punjab. The title was also often given to sons of Nawabs.

Princely States

The title is used in varying capacity by members of princely states, sometimes used for Princes and other times used by the Monarch himself. *In

Baoni Kadaura is a town and a Nagar Panchayat in Jalaun District in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. During the British Raj, Kadaura was the capital of an 11-gun salute princely state. History During the British Raj era, Kadaura was the capital ...

the title is used by members of certain branches of the royal family. *In

Bhopal Bhopal (; ISO 15919, ISO: Bhōpāl, ) is the capital (political), capital city of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and the administrative headquarters of both Bhopal district and Bhopal division. It is known as the ''City of Lakes,'' due to ...

its used by members of certain branches. *In Muhammadgarh State, the title of Mian is used by the Heir Apparent. * In Pathari State the hier apparent is styled as Mian. *In Khajuria State the monarch is styled as Mian. *In Swat State. The title Miangul was used by all dynasts of the Swat state including the Wali of Swat himself. * In Guler State the monarch was formerly styled as Mian and later styled as Raja. * In

Punjab Punjab (; ; also romanised as Panjāb or Panj-Āb) is a geopolitical, cultural, and historical region in South Asia. It is located in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent, comprising areas of modern-day eastern Pakistan and no ...

the sons and especially the heir apparent of rulers are styled as Mian as well as some rulers themselves. * In

Bihar Bihar ( ) is a states and union territories of India, state in Eastern India. It is the list of states and union territories of India by population, second largest state by population, the List of states and union territories of India by are ...

the Zamindars of the Sadaat e Hasib Clan used Mian for male members of the family that did not hold any offices of power

Bombay Region

The title held immense importance in the Bombay region, and was used by the monarchs of several Princely States in that area. Including: *In Dabha state the monarch is styled as Mian. * In Dugri State the monarch is styled as Mian. * In Jabria Bhil State the monarch is styled as Mian. * In Kharal State the monarch is styled as Mian. * In Punadra State the monarch is styled as Mian. * In Ramas State the monarch is styled as Mian.

Himalayan Region

Ever since the bestowal of the title of Mian upon the Royal Households of the Himalayas by the Emperor Jahangir, the title has held great importance in the Himalayan region. * In Sangri State the monarch is styled as Mian. * In Kashmir State the title is held by grandsons of the Maharaja of Kashmir. * In Nadaun, the title is reserved for the hier apparent of the state. * In Lambagraon, dynasts are styled as Mian. * In Jaswan, the monarch is styled as Mian. * In Rai State the monarch is styled as Mian. * In Pirthpura State the monarch is styled as Mian. In the foothills of the Himalayas. Dynast's of the Rohilla Dynasty which ruled the erstwhile

Kingdom of Rohilkhand The Kingdom of Rohilkhand was a petty kingdom under nominal Mughal suzerainty, that rose under the declining Mughal Empire in 1721 and continued to exist until 1774 when it was defeated by Oudh. The British transformed its significantly reduc ...

and later the Princely State of Rampur are styled informally as Mian. The style of address is extended to all dynasts including the Nawab of Rampur himself.

Notable people

America

* Atif Mian, economist * Mian Hussain, boxer * Zia Mian, physicist, nuclear expert, nuclear policy maker and research scientist

Bangladesh

* Abu Taher Miah (1932–2004), Bangladeshi industrialist and politician * Badsha Miah, kabaddi player * Bande Ali Mia (1906–1979), Bangladeshi poet * M. A. Wazed Miah (1942–2009), Bangladeshi nuclear scientist * Mohammad Mamun Miah (born 1987), footballer * Mohammad Moniruzzaman Miah (c.1935–2016), academic * Muhammad Shahjahan Miah, politician * Rana Miah, cricketer * Ruhul Miah, Bangladeshi DJ * Sheikh Sujat Mia, former MP for

Habiganj-1 Habiganj-1 is a constituency represented in the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) of Bangladesh. Boundaries The constituency encompasses Bahubal and Nabiganj upazilas. History The constituency was created in 1984 from the Sylhet-8 const ...

* Tofazzal Hossain Manik Miah (1911–1969), journalist and politician

Europe

* Abjol Miah, former councillor of Shadwell * Andrew Muzaffar Miah,

bioethicist Bioethics is both a field of study and professional practice, interested in ethics, ethical issues related to health (primarily focused on the human, but also increasingly includes animal ethics), including those emerging from advances in biolo ...

and journalist * Badrul Miah, convicted of a racially motivated murder * Emran Mian, author * Hammad Miah (born 1993), professional snooker player * Helal Miah, investment analyst at The Share Centre * Moina Meah, restaurateur and social reformer * Safwan AhmedMia, technology reviewer and Internet personality * Saiman Miah (born 1986), architectural designer and graphic designer * Tamanna Miah, activist * Mohammad Ajman Tommy Miah MBE, celebrity chef

India

* Ameen Mian Qaudri, Sufi custodian * Azhari Miyan, Barelvi leader * Fazal Karim Miah, Indian politician * Ghazi Miyan, legendary figure * Habib Miyan, longevity claimant * Hashmi Miya, Muslim theologian * Madni Miyan, Sufi leader * Mian Bashir Ahmed, Sufi leader * Miya people, a Muslim community in Assam * Mian Rajputs, landowning clan * Syed Mian, Mughal commander

British India

* Batak Mian, cook * Dudu Miyan (1819-1862), independence leader * Jitu Miah (d. 1925), magistrate and sub-registrar * Kaptan Miah (1872-1922), politician, lawyer and entrepreneur * Mian Aminuddin, civil servant

Nepal

* Hasina Miya, Nepalese politician * Sadrul Miya Haque, Nepalese politician * Salim Miya Ansari, Nepalese politician

Pakistan

Ajmal Mian Ajmal Mian (Urdu : ) (4 July 1934 – 16 October 2017) was a Pakistani jurist who served as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan from 23 December 1997 to 30 June 1999. See also * List of Pakistanis *Chief Justice of Pakistan ...

, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court * Mian Amer Mahmood, businessperson * Mian family of Baghbanpura, a noble

Arain Arain (also known as Raeen) are a large Punjabi Muslim agricultural community with a strong political identity and level of organisation. At the beginning of the last century, they numbered around 1 million and were mainly rural cultivator ...

family of Lahore * Mian (tribe), a Pakistani Punjabi tribe in the Ishaqpura region * Mian Mir, Sufi saint *

Mian Muhammad Bakhsh Mīān Muhammad Bakhsh (, ; – 22 January 1907) was a Punjabi Muslim poet from Khari Sharif, in present-day Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He wrote 18 books during his lifetime of 77 years, especially remembered for his romantic epic poem, "'' S ...

, Sufi saint and poet * Mian Muhammad Mansha, billionaire and business magnate *

Mian Muhammad Latif Mian Muhammad Latif (; born 28 August 1947) is a Pakistani businessman who is the founder of Chenab Group. He is the father of Pakistani politician Mian Farhan Latif. Early life and career Mian Muhammad Latif was born in 1947 in Toba Tek S ...

, businessman * Mian Muhammad Sharif, businessman * Mian Tufail Mohammad, theologian *

Mian Hayaud Din Mian Hayaud Din (2 July 1910 – 20 May 1965) was a Pakistani military officer who served in the British Indian Army during the Second World War and later became Chief of General Staff. Early life and education Mian Hayaud Din was born in P ...

, major general * Mian Iftikharuddin, leftist leader * Mian Saqib Nisar, jurist * Mian Nawaz Sharif, former prime minister of Pakistan *

Mian Shahbaz Sharif Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif (born 23 September 1951) is a Pakistani politician and businessman who has served as the 20th prime minister of Pakistan since March 2024, having previously been in the role between April 2022 to August 2023. He ...

, chief minister of Punjab * Mian Wada, Pothwari saint * Mian Yar Muhammad Kalhoro, philanthropist * Muhammad Mian Soomro, banker and former Chairman of the Senate * Salahuddin Mian, Pakistan's first ceramic artist * Mian Muhammad Yousaf Riaz, renowned ''baraf-pani'' athlete

Uganda

* Farouk Miya (born 1997), footballer

Places

* Mian, a village in Mansa district, Indian Punjab * Mian Channu, a city in Khanewal District, Pakistani Punjab * Mian Channu Tehsil, an administrative subdivision of Khanewal District, Pakistani Punjab *

Mian Wali Qureshian Mian Wali Qureshian (میاوالی قریشیاں) is a town in Rahim Yar Khan District, Punjab (Pakistan), Punjab, Pakistan. It was founded more than 450 years ago by Makhdoom Rohullah Shah I. The Saraiki language is spoken. Location Mian W ...

, a town in Rahim Yar Khan District, Pakistani Punjab *

Mianwali Mianwali (Saraiki language, Saraiki, ) city in Mianwali Tehsil is the capital city of Mianwali District in Punjab, Pakistan, Punjab, Pakistan. The Largest cities of Pakistan, 81st most populous city of Pakistan, it is known for its diverse popu ...

, a city in Punjab, Pakistan * Mian Deh, Badakhshan, Afghanistan * Mian Sahib and Bab-e-Mian Sahib, Sindh * Miyan Velayat District, Iran * Miyan Velayat Rural District, Iran * Bhaini Mian Khan, India * Kateh Mian, Iran * Mian Qaleh, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Iran * Mian Qaleh, Fars, Iran * Mian Qaleh, Ilam, Iran * Safal Mian, Iran * Mian Bal, Iran * Mian Talan, Iran * Mian Tang, Iran * Mian Qaleh, Kermanshah, Iran * Taherabad-e Mian, Iran * Mian Choqa, Kermanshah, Iran * Mian Choqa, Lorestan, Iran * Mian Chilan, Iran * Mian Melk, Iran * Mian Nahr, Iran * Mian Bazur, Iran * Mian Rah, Iran * Mian Farirud, Iran * Mian Margh, Iran

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mian, Miyan Titles in Bangladesh Pakistani names Punjabi-language surnames Gujarati-language surnames Bengali Muslim surnames Titles in India