AHMAD YAR KHAN TIWANA

AHMAD YAR KHAN TIWANA (d. 1829), second son of Khan Muhammad Khan, the Tiwana chief of Mittha Tiwana, in Shahpur district, measured swords with Sikhs more than once during Maharaja Ranjit Singh`s time. Ahmad Yar Khan revolted against his father and, having succeeded in attracting most of the tribe to his side, compelled him to surrender the chief ship to him. In 1817, Maharaja Ranjit Singh dispatched troops under the command of Misr Divan Chand against the Tiwana chief at Nurpur Tiwana. The fort was conquered and Ahmad Yar Khan ran away to Jhandavala, situated in the Mankera territory. 

On the withdrawal of the Sikh army, with some troops having been left behind under Jasvant Singh Mokal in Nurpur for guarding the fort, Ahmad Yar Khan came back and recovered control of the country, but he had to withdraw for the second time and again run back to Jandiala.The Nawab of Mankera gave him no quarter, turned him out from there and imprisoned his sons. He then yielded to the authority of the Maharaja who granted him a jagir worth Rs 10,000, subject to the service of sixty horse. In 1821, Maharaja Ranjit Singh left on a campaign against Hafiz Ahmad Khan, the Nawab of Mankera, when Ahmad Yar Khan readily took the opportunity to join him in the enterprise just to settle some old scores with the Nawab.

The assistance rendered by Ahmad Yar Khan and his tribe, the Tiwanas, during this campaign was of crucial importance. The Maharaja was especially struck with the handsome and manly bearing of his men and their bold riding, and insisted upon a troop of Tiwana horse returning with him to Lahore. Ahmad Yar Khan died in 1829.

References :

1. Suri, Sohan Lal, `Umdat-ut-Twankh. Lahore, 1885-89