What is an Indian aristocrat?

Answer 1

There are a number of different "types" of aristocracy in India.

India was ruled in whole or in part by a number of different rulers. The longest lasting, widest reaching and most prominent monarchy in India was the Mughal Empire. As such high ranking members of the Mughal court would have been considered "aristocrats" in the modern sense.

After the fall of the Mughals, the British took over control of the Subcontinent and it became part of the British Empire.

During this time (from the mid 1800's to 1947), the British controlled much of the country, while there were a number of semi autonomous Princely States in existence which were ruled by Maharajahs, Nawabs, Nizams etc. These states were politically aligned with the British.

All together there were 565 official Princely states, and each had its own court, ministers and other members of the court. These people and their families are the most recent example of Indian aristocracy, and many of these families still hold positions of high importance and influence in modern day India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

In 1971 the 26th ammendment to the Constitution of India abolished all official symbols of princely India, including titles, privileges, and remuneration. As a result, even titular heads of the former princely states ceased to exist.

In addition to the above, there were many other kingdoms in India through the centuries, and the more important and influential members of these courts would be considered to be "aristocracy".

India, Pakistan and Bangladesh (the successor states to pre 1947 India) are all parliamentary democracies now, and no form of royal or aristocratic titles are officially recognised any more.