TheNagar Muslims are a Muslim community found in the state ofUttar Pradesh in India. They are Muslim converts from the largerNagar Brahmin community. The Nagar are also known as Nagar Shaikh.
TheAharpargana ofBulandshahr District was held by theNagar and Nagar artisans[clarification needed] prior to theMuslim conquest of the region in the 11th century. During the invasion of Muhammad Ghori, many of them along with their ruler from theBaranwal community converted to Islam in a deal to prevent further bloodshed and to save the remaining community. During those times, there was a common practice in which part of the community would convert to Islam and the invader would grant clemency to the remainder of the community. The Barnwal converts were called Barani and the Nagar converts were called Nagar Muslims. Even today, many prominent Muslims from Western Uttar Pradesh belong to these communities. As the Nagar played a key role in the 1857War of Independence, most of their estates were confiscated. They were led by Sohrab Khan, who set himself up as the independent ruler, taking advantage of the collapse ofBritish authority.[1][full citation needed]
The Nagar are largely endogamous, although there have been a few cases of intermarriage with theBehlim Shaikh ofBulandshahr city, a community of similar status. There remains a marked preference to marry close kin, and they practice both cross cousin and parallel cousin marriages. The Nagar areSunni Muslims, and largelyBarelvi. Their customs are similar to otherShaikh communities in theDoab region. The Nagar generally speak standardUrdu.[2][full citation needed]