[1] However, it is best remembered for its members' role as de facto rulers in the Mughal court for a decade at the start of the 18th century and their general tolerance toward non-Muslim subjects.

[2][3] Traditionally, the dynasty was believed to be founded by Abul Farah al-Wasiti, who migrated to India from Wasiti in the 13th century after the Siege of Baghdad, along with his twelve sons.

This claim is disputed,[5][6] and according to the American historian Richard M. Eaton, their clan of Indian Muslims was "as native to India as were Jats, Rajputs or Marathas.

"[7] Dirk H. A. Kolff states that the ancestors of Barhas had moved at an uncertain date from their homeland in Punjab to a barren region in Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh.

[8] By the time of Emperor Aurangzeb, the dynasty was firmly regarded as "Old Nobility" and enjoyed the unique status of holding the premier realms of Ajmer and Dakhin.

The branch benefited from Aurangzeb's reign and by the time Aurangzeb passed away, the branch had considerable influence with Sayyid Mian's sons Nawab Hussain Ali Khan and Nawab Abdullah Khan II being attached to the future emperor Bahadur Shah.

In 1712, the sons of Sayyid Mian, having found themselves in a dangerous position and distrustful of other ministers at Delhi, took it upon themselves to raise Prince Furrukhsiyar to the throne as Emperor.

He used his influence at court to help the Raja of Sambalhera to confirm his dignity in the male line to his son, Ram Chand.

Being so pleased with the service rendered to her, she passed on the entirety of her estate to Sayyid Hassan, who was later confirmed in its possession as the Nawab of Sambelhera.

They additionally held a Jagir of twenty eight villages in Ahmedabad which they gained in return for their service in annihilating their Tihanpuri brethren and which they retained until 1850.

There is a still Mosque in Morna built in the name of the wife of Nawab Hassan Khan, bakshi of Muhammad Shah.

Ain-i-Akbari makes mention of Sayyid Mahmud as being the first member of the Barha dynasty to enter into timurid service.

[19] In a famous incident, Sayyid mahmud was once asked how many generations back the Barha dynasty traced its sacred descent.