The Mian, often Anglicized as Miah and honorificized further as Mianji or Mian Sahib, is a royal title of the Indian subcontinent, also sometimes used as a surname. Begum or Beygum, is used to describe the wife of a Mian. It is used by several monarchs of Indian states.
In the Mughal Empire, mian indicated a king or a prince under the suzerainty of the Mughal emperor; it is hence roughly equivalent to the title of raja, but could also take the higher meaning of maharaja, in which sense it was used by the Kalhora dynasty of Sindh. It was also conferred by the Mughal emperor Jahangir upon Rajput rulers in the group of northern princely states known as the Indian Hill States. The title is mentioned by the British in The Golden Book of India as one of the principal titles used by "Mohammedan Princely States":
In Bengal, Mian occurs in many personal Muslim names, generally without any nobiliary or political relevance, although it remains a common part of noble names as well. One Bengali Muslim community in Assam are known as the Miya people.
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 including the head of the house. [citation needed]. 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 Jagirs 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 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 the title is used by members of certain branches of the royal family. [citation needed]
In Bhopal its used by members of certain branches.
In Guler State the monarch was formerly styled as Mian and later styled as Raja.
In Punjab the sons and especially the heir apparent of rulers are styled as Mian as well as some rulers themselves.
In Bihar 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.