HIRASAT ALI KHAN

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LIFE OF HIRASAT ALI KHAN- A PROMINENT                         GOVERNOR OF SATGARH 


On 26th January 2026, after participating in the Republic Day celebrations at Vaniyambadi, my teacher Dr. Abul Fazal Sahib and my friend Janab K. Ehsan Ahmed Sahib proceeded to explore the historical sites of Pernambut and Satgadh.  Their visit, kindled an interest  to know about Hirasat Khan, the governor of Sathgadh. They also suggested that a brief biography of Hirasat Khan be written.

While authoring “The Many Names of Melvisharam”, 

https://localhistorymelvisharam.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-many-names-of-melvisharam.html

a toponymical study of my native town Melvisharam, I had already discussed Hirasat Khan, as the eastern part of Melvisharam was previously known as Hirasatpur, named after him.

The intriguing historical details concerning Hirasath Khan shared by the two explorers sparked a deeper interest to add few more details.

Hirasat Khan  whose full name was Hirasat Ali khan was a very intelligent and prominent nobleman who served under Nawab Sadathullah Khan I (1710–1732), Dost Ali Khan (1732-1740) and Nawab Safdar Ali Khan (1740–1742). When Nawab Dost Ali Khan was murdered in a battle with Marathas at Damalcheruvu pass in 1740, Hirasat Khan and Bangaru Yachama Nayak (Raja of Venkatagiri) were taken as war prisoners by the Marathas. 

Later, Hirasat khan was released by the Marathas. This was a time when Safdar Ali Khan (son of Dost Ali Khan) had not taken charge of the Carnatic as its Nawab. Hirasat Khan was authorised by the Mughals to seize all the Jagirs in the province. During this critical situation Hirasat Khan raised an army and build a ‘platform’ before the Arcot fort.

In 1740, Safdar Ali Khan became the Nawab of Arcot and poisoned to death by his own family members in 1742. Hirasat Khan took charge of the two youthful sons of Safdar Ali Khan and sent a faithful accounts of the events took place at Arcot and Vellore to Asaf Jah and deplored the forlorn condition of faujdari of the Carnatic. Also played a crucial role in promoting Muhammad Sa’eed II (1742–1744) ( also known as Sadathullah Khan II, the elder and minor son of Safdar Ali Khan) to succeed the throne of Arcot with Asaf Jah’s intervention.

 In 1744, during a marriage function in Arcot, Hirasat Khan along with other nobles accompanied Muhammad Sa’eed II. The rebel Pathan soldiers stabbed the young Nawab Muhammed Sa’eed to death. Hirasat Khan sustained over forty wounds in the encounter and was ultimately unsuccessful in preventing the assassination. Later when Murtuza Ali Khan(Qilledar of Vellore and also Brother in law of SafdarAli Khan) claimed the throne of Arcot in 1744, Hirasat Khan extended his support and also offered gifts during the swearing in ceremony. The above content clearly express the elite position of Hirasat Khan in the Carnatic.

 Hirasath Khan served as the Nawab of Sathgadh. (Correct pronunciation in Urdu is Satgurh or Satgarh which refers to Mausambi in Persian, in English Sweet lime or oranges. The Manila oranges of this place was very famous.). As per the available records, from 1740 until his death in 1754 he remained as the Nawab of Satgadh. Dr. Abul Fazal says, "There are two mosques at Satgadh one is Hirasat Khan Masjid and the other is Hirasat Khan Jamia Masjid at Satgadh. Both are very old and there are few other mosques that are not in use."

              HIRASAT KHAN JUMMA MASJID

 He further states, "The Muslim settlement of Pernambut is  actually migrated from Satgadh about 300 years ago. "


       MASJID E HIRASAT KHAN (Renovated)


Brother Ehsan says, "This village  is of historic importance and there are many things needs to be studied."

Dr. Rahi Fidai refers a poem composed by Hazrat Vali Vellori, a close associate of Hirasat Khan and a court poet whom he sent to the Miyana Nawab Abdul Majeed Khan of Kadapa city with a recommendation letter. 


This poem was written in Dakkani Urdu, the poem offers a heartfelt tribute to Hirasat Khan, reflecting both the poet’s admiration and the noble character of the ruler. The translated excerpt reads:

“Hirasat Khan Amir was a famous man,

His peace and residence was in Satgadh.

He was a man of pain (one who carried the pain of humanity) and good deeds,

I was happy in his company. 

I was the one who was relieved by fate So I came to Kadapa to seek refuge of Nawab Abdul Majeed son of Abdul Hameed, A prominent and fortunate Governor of the province.

     Hirasat Ali Khan was also the son-in-law of Chanda Sahib, a notable figure in the history of South India. One of the sisters of Hirasat Khan was given in marriage to Nawab Muhammed Ali Walajah. Hirasat Khan had four daughters and two sons namely Sa’adatmund Khan (Qilledar of Kaveripakkam) and Jafar Ali Khan. 

One of the daughters of Hirasat Khan was married to Khan Bahadur Rahim Zafar Ali Khan, the Qilledar of Karunguzhi palaiyam (a place in Chengulpet district)

  In 1749, he held the position of Qiledar (Fort Governor) of Arcot  Fort, Hirasat Khan died in December, 1754 and buried at Tajpura Arcot. This short biography further affirms his influential personality and administrative responsibilities within the region.

I hope that Insha Allah, this brief writeup will be helpful to unearth more on Hirasat Ali Khan.

ALHAMDULILLAH,  I express my sincere gratitude to brother K.  Ehsan Ahmed for sharing photos of the Mosques. I anticipate an interesting article from  him on his trip to Sathgarh and Pernambut.

I also thank Janab Dr.D.Abul Fazal Sahib for guiding me to write this article and also for reviewing it. 

References

1. Dr. Zaheer Ahmed Baqwi Rahi Fidai, Iktisab e Nazar, 

2. H. Dodwell, A Calendar of the Madras Records, 1740–1744, Madras, 

3. C.S. Srinivasachari, History of Gingee And Its Rulers, Annamalai University

4. Ananda Ranga Pillai's diary vol 1,3, 4, 9

5. C.S. Srinivasachari Vignettes from the History of the Walajahi Dynasty of the Carnatic, Usmania University

                      Compiled By

                      Mohammed Sadathullah.S

                      Melvisharam 

                     26th January 2026


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