In Mughal Emperor Akbar's time, most of the Muzaffarnagar district region, called Sarwat then under the Mahal control of Tagas / Tyagis of Sarvat village, belonged to the sarkar (circle) of Saharanpur.

Akbar bestowed pargana of Sarwat on Sayyed Mahmud Khan Barha which remained with his descendants up to the 17th century.

[6] The Indian Muslim inhabitants of Barah, especially from near the town of Jansath, were heavily recruited in the Army of the Mughal Empire, where they had a hereditary right to lead the vanguard of the imperial troops in every battle.

[7][8] The unique privilege of the Barah Sayyids of leading the imperial vanguard also gave them an advantage over other parts of the Mughal military and exalted their sense of social pride.

[10][11][12] Muzaffarnagar district gained notoriety in the 20th century with frequent incidents of loot, murders, kidnappings and dacoity.