The Nawabs of Mankhera, also known as Thal Nawabs,[1] were a dynasty based in the Thal desert, in the north-western Punjab, Pakistan, during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

[2][3] Initially the Nawabs of Mankera were governors of the Sindh Sagar Doab under the Durrani Shahs of Afghanistan.

[4] However, with the death of Ahmad Shah Durrani in 1772, it along with several other polities of Punjab became independent.

[6] The state comprised much of the Sindh-Sagar Doab, corresponding the modern districts of Mianwali, Bhakkar, Layyah as well as the south-western districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa below Kohat including Dera Ismail Khan.

[7] It was conquered by the Sikh Empire in 1822 after the siege of Mankera.