Khan Sahib


 * ''This article discusses the British Indian title. For other meanings, see Khan

Khan Sahib (Bengali: খ়ান সাহিব, Hindi: ख़ान साहिब, Urdu: خان صاحب) - a compound of khan (leader) and sahib (master) - was a formal title of respect and honour, which was conferred exclusively on Muslim, Parsi and Jewish subjects of the British Indian Empire. It was a title one degree higher than the title of Khan.

Overview
The title was conferred along with a medal and a citation (or sanad) and the recipient was entitled to prefix the title to his name. The title was conferred on behalf of the British Indian Government by the Viceroy and Governor-General of India.

The title "Khan Sahib" was originally conferred by the Mughal Empire on Muslim subjects in recognition of public services rendered and was adopted by the British Indian Empire for the same purpose. Hindu subjects of the British Indian Empire were conferred the title of "Rai Sahib". Since there were no separate titles for Parsi and Jewish subjects, the British Indian Empire conferred the Muslim title of Khan Sahib to Parsi and Jewish subjects as well.

Recipients
The chronological list of recipients below is not exhaustive.

1940. To Sahibzada Khurshid Ali Khan in recognition of services for the British Indian government. He served in the British foreign service in 1940s. He was from wayanwali sharif, distt. Gujranwala, Punjab, Pakistan. 3 June 1918 Pir Syed Karam Shah of Shorkot via letter from Viceroy Barnes Court Simla. Original letter and Parchment document still available
 * 1920, Rana Talia Muhammad Khan for meritorious services (later awarded higher title of "Khan Bahadur")
 * 1926, shah muhammad abdul hakeem faridi superitendent kotadowar awarded title of Khan shahib.
 * 1923, Mehr Abadan, Founder of Zimindara High School Dasua Lyallpur District, Punjab
 * 1925, Muhammad Salim 'Ali Adviser on Arab affairs in Aden (later awarded higher title of "Khan Bahadur")
 * 1925, Manadathu Kunjoo Khader Pillai Municipal President,Alwaye,Madras States awarded the title of Khan Sahib for his meritorious service during the great flood of 1925.
 * 1939, Jalal ud din Jalal Baba for his services in Hazara district and displaying leadership qualities.
 * 1931, Chaudhry Niaz Ali Khan of Jamalpur for public service spanning 30 years by the 32nd Viceroy and Governor-General of India, Freeman Freeman-Thomas, 1st Marquess of Willingdon
 * 1933, Dossabhoy Muncherji Raja
 * 1934, Mir Afzal Khan, Deputy Superintendent of Police, for meritorious police services awarded by the 22nd Viceroy and Governor-General of India, The Earl of Willingdon
 * 1939  Moulavi Huosain Reza, Inspector of police, Bengal presidency Kolkata, was receipent of award KHAN SAHIB
 * 1942, Khan Muhammad Khan
 * 1944, Sheikh Jan Mohammad
 * 1945, Syed Ahmed Quadri
 * 1945, Qazi Zafar Hussain
 * 1946, Choudhary Daswandi Khan Virk, World War Warrior, Superintendent of Police, Lasbela, Resident of Village Virk, Distt. Sialkot, Father of Ch Zafar Iqbal Virk, Ch Khizer Iqbal Virk, Ch Mehmood Iqbal Virk and Ch Javed Iqbal Virk (former candidate of MNA Tehsil Pasrur)