Khan Bahadur
Khan Bahadur – a compound of Khan "Leader" and Bahadur "Brave" – was a formal title of respect and honor, which was conferred exclusively on Muslim and other non-Hindu natives of British India. It was one degree higher than the title of Khan Sahib.
| Khan Bahadur | |
|---|---|
Title Badge for Khan Bahadur | |
| Type | Civilian Honour |
| Country | British India |
| Presented by | Viceroy of India |
| Eligibility | Muslim Indian |
| Status | Discontinued (since 1947) |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Nawab Bahadur |
| Equivalent | Rao Bahadur Sardar Bahadur |
| Next (lower) | Khan Sahib |
The title was conferred on individuals for faithful service or acts of public welfare to the Empire. Recipients were entitled to prefix the title to their name and were presented with a special Title Badge and a citation (Sanad). It was conferred on behalf of the Government of British India by the Viceroy and Governor-General of India.
The title was dis-established in 1947 upon the independence of India.
The title "Khan Bahadur" was originally conferred in Mughal India on Muslim subjects in recognition of public services rendered and was adopted by British India for the same purpose and extended to cover other non-Hindu subjects of India. Hindu subjects of British India were conferred the title of "Rai Bahadur".