Chandel Khanzada

The Chandel Khanzada are a Muslim community found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. They are part of the larger Khanzada community found in the Awadh region. The community uses the surname Khan.

Origin

The Chandel Khanzada are Muslim converts from the Chandel clan of Rajputs. These Chandel were at one time rulers of much of central India, and their kingdom extended to what is now Hardoi district in Uttar Pradesh. According to the traditions of the Chandel Khanzada, their ancestors are said to have come originally from Shivrajpur in what is now Kanpur district during the period of Rathore rule at Kannauj. They were sent by the Rathore to deal with the Thatheras, who were given the Rathore rulers much trouble. The Chandel successfully subjugated the Thatheras, and were granted the former Thathera lands in Kacchandao in what is now Hardoi district. There immigration is said to have occurred in the early eleventh century. The next event in their history was the arrival of Sher Shah Suri, who was on his way to Delhi to overthrow the Mughal ruler Humayun. He is said to have compelled the Chandel ranas of the villages of Baraichmau, Harpura, and Mallanwan to convert to Islam. Thus arose the community of the Chandel Khanzada.