Page:Gazetteer of the province of Oudh ... (IA cu31924073057345).pdf/437

 MAL 429 owed its foundation to Muhammad Bakhtiar Khilji, who, we know, invaded Oudh in 599 Hijri (A.D. 1202). Muhammad Bakhtiár Khilji was, as his name would indicate, a Pathan, and from his time must date the Muham- madan settlement in Malihabad. It is not impossible, however, but that there was some earlier Musal- man invasion. It is said that at one time very many of the inhabitants and owners of the soil became converted to Muhammadanism, and this tradition is believed by the present population, who make no difficulty in declaring that the numerous mounds scattered over the face of the pargana belonged to a Jhojha sect. These village sites do not differ from the Bhar dihs that exist in other parganas; they rise conspicuously above the surrounding level, and consist of masses of broken bricks. They are dow quite deserted. The natives say they were forts; they are chiefly to be found in Antgarbi, Mál, Pára, Siswára, and Dilawainagar, but they can everywhere be seen, If these Jhojhas were converted Pásis or Bhars they were afterwards cruelly abandoned by their fierce proselytizers, for the pargana was subse- quently overrun by the Rajput tribes of Gahilwars, Bamhan-Gaurs, Nikumbbs, Gautams, and Janwars; but, on the other hand, the traditions of these new invaders of the soil assert that the country was inhabited by Arakh tribes, whom they attacked and drove out. The pargana seems after this to have been entirely held by Rajputs, their settlements date probably from the thirteenth century, or about the time of their dispossession on the Muhammadan conquest of their ancient king- doms and consequent search for new homes. They held the tappas of Gaiwara, Dakláwal, Siswara, Katauli-Ráo, Khariwon and Rahimabad They all exist to the present day, but have suffered in their turn by three or four different colonies of Pathans, who came into the country at about the middle of the seventeenth century, and secured estates of from ten to twelve villages each round Malihabad, These Patháns are of Afridi, Bázad Khail and Qandhári clans. They have but little connection with each other, or with the original Pathán families of the old encamped settlement, though doubtless it was tidings of them that attracted the later adventurers. Of the Afridi Pathans are the taluqdars Ahmad Khan and Nasím Khan of Kasmandi Khurd, Sahlamau; and different members of the Amnázai family rose to great distinction both under the Delhi empire and the dynasty of Oudh. All traces of the original invasion, however, have not disappeared. Kasmandi kalan and the group of villages round are held by Shekhs, who assert that they are descended from the leaders of the expedition; though it is said of them, on the other hand, that they are no more than converted Hindus. The census will show how great an element of truth must lie in the tradition of an early Hindu conversion. Though, as related, it was at one time colonised entirely by Rajput tribes, excepting only the group of villages round Kasmandi kalán, yet the percentage of Musalmans on the whole population is 167—a percentage only exceeded or approached in the parganas of Kákori and Mahona, where like influences. seem to have prevailed. 55