# Mian (title)

The Mian 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":
   Other Mohammadan titles sometimes equivalent in consideration to Nawab, but not always are Wali, Sultan, Shah, Amir, Mir, Mirza, Mian, Khan; also Sardar and Diwan, which are common to Hindus and Mohammadans.

## As a title in India

The Koli rulers of petty Princely States of Ramas, Dabha, Punadra and Khadal used the Mian as their hereditary title.

## Etymology

Mian is said to literally mean "Prince". The title Mian originated from the Persian title Mīr, which is too originated from the Arabic title Amīr (English: Emir). 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.. 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.
* In Bhopal its used by members of certain branches.
* In Muhammadgarh State, the title of Mian is used by the Heir Apparent.
* In Pathari State the hier apparent is styled as Mian.
* In Khajuria State the monarch is styled as Mian.
* In Swat State. The title Miangul was used by all dynasts of the Swat state including the Wali of Swat himself.
* 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.
* In Sangri State the monarch is styled as Mian.
* In Kashmir State the title is held by grandsons of the Maharaja of Kashmir.
* In Nadaun, the title is reserved for the hier apparent of the state.
* In Lambagraon, dynasts are styled as Mian.
* In Jaswan, the monarch is styled as Mian.
* In Rai State the monarch is styled as Mian.
* In Pirthpura State the monarch is styled as Mian.
In the foothills of the Himalayas. Dynast's of the Rohilla Dynasty which ruled the erstwhile Kingdom of Rohilkhand and later the Princely State of Rampur are styled informally as Mian. The style of address is extended to all dynasts including the Nawab of Rampur himself.

## Notable people
### America

* Atif Mian, economist
* Mian Hussain, boxer
* Zia Mian, physicist, nuclear expert, nuclear policy maker and research scientist

### Bangladesh

* Abu Taher Miah (1932–2004), Bangladeshi industrialist and politician
* Badsha Miah, kabaddi player
* Bande Ali Mia (1906–1979), Bangladeshi poet
* M. A. Wazed Miah (1942–2009), Bangladeshi nuclear scientist
* Mohammad Mamun Miah (born 1987), footballer
* Mohammad Moniruzzaman Miah (c.1935–2016), academic
* Muhammad Shahjahan Miah, politician
* Rana Miah, cricketer
* Ruhul Miah, Bangladeshi DJ
* Sheikh Sujat Mia, former MP for Habiganj-1
* Tofazzal Hossain Manik Miah (1911–1969), journalist and politician

### Europe

* Abjol Miah, former councillor of Shadwell
* Andrew Muzaffar Miah, bioethicist and journalist
* Badrul Miah, convicted of a racially motivated murder
* Emran Mian, author
* Hammad Miah (born 1993), professional snooker player
* Helal Miah, investment analyst at The Share Centre
* Moina Meah, restaurateur and social reformer
* Safwan AhmedMia, technology reviewer and Internet personality
* Saiman Miah (born 1986), architectural designer and graphic designer
* Tamanna Miah, activist
* Mohammad Ajman Tommy Miah MBE, celebrity chef

### India

* Ameen Mian Qaudri, Sufi custodian
* Azhari Miyan, Barelvi leader
* Fazal Karim Miah, Indian politician
* Ghazi Miyan, legendary figure
* Habib Miyan, longevity claimant
* Hashmi Miya, Muslim theologian
* Madni Miyan, Sufi leader
* Mian Bashir Ahmed, Sufi leader
* Miya people, a Muslim community in Assam
* Mian Rajputs, landowning clan
* Syed Mian, Mughal commander

#### British India

* Batak Mian, cook
* Dudu Miyan (1819-1862), independence leader
* Jitu Miah (d. 1925), magistrate and sub-registrar
* Kaptan Miah (1872-1922), politician, lawyer and entrepreneur
* Mian Aminuddin, civil servant

### Nepal

* Hasina Miya, Nepalese politician
* Sadrul Miya Haque, Nepalese politician
* Salim Miya Ansari, Nepalese politician

### Pakistan

* Ajmal Mian, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
* Mian Amer Mahmood, businessperson
* Mian family of Baghbanpura, a noble Arain family of Lahore
* Mian (tribe), a Pakistani Punjabi tribe in the Ishaqpura region
* Mian Mir, Sufi saint
* Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, Sufi saint and poet
* Mian Muhammad Mansha, billionaire and business magnate
* Mian Muhammad Latif, businessman
* Mian Muhammad Sharif, businessman
* Mian Tufail Mohammad, theologian
* Mian Hayaud Din, major general
* Mian Iftikharuddin, leftist leader
* Mian Saqib Nisar, jurist
* Mian Nawaz Sharif, former prime minister of Pakistan
* Mian Shahbaz Sharif, chief minister of Punjab
* Mian Wada, Pothwari saint
* Mian Yar Muhammad Kalhoro, philanthropist
* Muhammad Mian Soomro, banker and former Chairman of the Senate
* Salahuddin Mian, Pakistan's first ceramic artist
* Mian Muhammad Yousaf Riaz, renowned baraf-pani athlete

### Uganda

* Farouk Miya (born 1997), footballer

## Places

* Mian, a village in Mansa district, Indian Punjab
* Mian Channu, a city in Khanewal District, Pakistani Punjab
* Mian Channu Tehsil, an administrative subdivision of Khanewal District, Pakistani Punjab
* Mian Wali Qureshian, a town in Rahim Yar Khan District, Pakistani Punjab
* Mianwali, a city in Punjab, Pakistan
* Mian Deh, Badakhshan, Afghanistan
* Mian Sahib and Bab-e-Mian Sahib, Sindh
* Miyan Velayat District, Iran
* Miyan Velayat Rural District, Iran
* Bhaini Mian Khan, India
* Kateh Mian, Iran
* Mian Qaleh, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Iran
* Mian Qaleh, Fars, Iran
* Mian Qaleh, Ilam, Iran
* Safal Mian, Iran
* Mian Bal, Iran
* Mian Talan, Iran
* Mian Tang, Iran
* Mian Qaleh, Kermanshah, Iran
* Taherabad-e Mian, Iran
* Mian Choqa, Kermanshah, Iran
* Mian Choqa, Lorestan, Iran
* Mian Chilan, Iran
* Mian Melk, Iran
* Mian Nahr, Iran
* Mian Bazur, Iran
* Mian Rah, Iran
* Mian Farirud, Iran
* Mian Margh, Iran