Naubat Khan – Rudra Veena player of Akbar’s court in the 16th century

Naubat Khan was a prominent musician and Been (Rudra Veena) player in the court of Mughal emperor Akbar. He was the son-in-law of Tansen. He was also known as Ali Khan Karori. Naubat Khan was the honorary title conferred by Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Tansen and Naubat Khan complimented each other during their performances together, and Naubat played an important role in popularizing rudra veena among the masses.

Naubat Khan hailed from a musical family of Rampur, associated with Rudra Veena and vocals. Records are available from the lifetime of I. Samokhan Singh to the latest link – Imtiyaz Ali Khan, thus owning more than 5 centuries old tradition in music. Many of its members have served as court musicians. Some of the prominent musicians of his family are Lal Khan Gunsamundra, Khushal Khan Gunsamundra, Naimat Khan (Sadarang), Omrao Khan, Ameer Khan Khandara, Dabir Khan etc. Imtiyaz Ali Khan, noted painter is a member of the family belonging to present generation. 

Naubat Khan was born as a prince Misri Singh in the kingdom of Kishangarh. His grandfather Samokhan Singh was a Jodhpur prince who was a Veena player. Records are available from the life of Samokhan Singh and now spans to more than 500 years following the tradition of music and legacy. When his grandfather got defeated by Akbar, Naubat Khan then known as Misri Singh was kept under house arrest. The family later accepted Islam, and Akbar gave them the title ‘Khan’ which is still followed. Naubat Khan has served as a court musician of both Akbar and Jahangir, and was a contemporary of Mia Tansen, who later became his father-in-law.

Naubat Khan – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. His family roots back to a Hindu Royal family of Jodhpur associated with music during 16th century who lost its power to Emperor Akbar. The family later embraced Islam, yet remained as musicians.

2. At least 10 generations of his family were performers in music, particularly rudra veena, beginning with King Samokhan Singh who lost battle to Akbar.

3. His family had developed their own dishes influenced by Awadhi cuisine. His family is so fond of desserts that if any member doesn’t like sweet dishes, he is said to be not a Naubat Khani. The family members also own a habit to take desserts after every meal.

4. Khan was the grandson of Maharaja Samokhan Singh of Kishangarh, and the son-in-law of the legendary singer Tansen. He married Tansen’s daughter Saraswati after the death of his first wife, and she accepted Islam.

5. Son of Khan and Saraswati (who changed name as Hussaini after marriage), Lal Khan was the chief musician of Emperor Shahjahan, and he married Hussaini’s niece (Tansen’s granddaughter).