Muslim Bhumihars

Muslim Bhumihars constitute a small yet noticeable minority within the larger Bhumihar community. Most are concentrated in the greater Gaya Division of Bihar and in and around Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh.

The majority of these conversions took place during the reign of Sher Shah Suri and accelerated under the rule of Aurangzeb.

In Uttar Pradesh, Muslim Bhumihars are found primarily in the following districts, in descending order of their population:

• Ghazipur
• Azamgarh
• Mau
• Chandauli

In Bihar, they are found mainly in the following districts, also in descending order:

• Gaya
• Aurangabad
• Nawada
• Buxar

Bhumihars became Muslim in Ghazipur

Wilton Oldham in 1870, observed many Bhumihars had become Muslim in Ghazipur and highlighted this in his book "North-Western Provinces, Historical And Statistical Memoir Of The Ghazeepoor District" Part 1. The Bhumihars who embraced Islam in Ghazipur became the Muslim landowning tribe of the region.

Bhumihars became Muslim in Ghazipur. Source: North-Western Provinces, Historical And Statistical Memoir Of The Ghazeepoor District Part 1 (1870) by Oldman, Wilton

Bhumihars became Muslim in Gaya

L. S. S. O'Malley in 1906 noted that many Babhans (Bhumihars) had embraced Islam in parts of the Gaya district during the reign of Aurangzeb.

In the Bengal District Gazetteers: Gaya (1906), L. S. S. O'Malley recorded the tradition that many Babhans (Bhumihars) embraced Islam during Aurangzeb's reign

Muslim Bhumihars of Mohammadabad and Zamania

In the Ghazipur Gazetteer, 1909, British Civil Services Officer H.R. Nevill recorded that many Bhumihars of the Muhammadabad and Zamania tahsils had embraced Islam and become Muslim.

HR Nevill found that many Muslims of Ghazipur were Bhumihars who embraced Islam. Source: Ghazipur Gazetteer, 1909

Kinwar Bhumihars of Birpur

British Civil Services Officer H.R. Nevill in 1909 observed that the town of Bara was the home of Muslim Kinwar Bhumihars who originally belonged to the village of Birpur on the opposite side of Ganges river. They held those lands for centuries.