Ustad Inayat Hussain Khan (1849–1919) was the founder of this gharana.
[1] The gharana find its origins in Mehboob Khan, the chief khayal singer in the royal court of Rampur State (in present Uttar Pradesh), his tradition was followed by his son Inayat Hussain Khan (1849–1919) and in turn by Inyat's brothers-in-law, Haider Khan (1857–1927), Ustad Fida Hussain Khan and Padma Bhushan Ustad Mushtaq Hussain Khan (1878–1964; first recipient of the Padma Bhushan Award), thus all the singers were connected with each other, and gharana was named after their ancestral place, Sahaswan, in present Badaun district.
The Rampur-Sahaswan gayaki (style of singing) is closely related to the Gwalior Gharana,[1] which features medium-slow tempos, a full-throated voice and intricate rhythmic play.
The gharana style is also known for the diversity and intricacy of the taans (rapidfire elaborations), as well as tarana singing.
The gharana is represented by two interrelated families - the direct descendants of Inayat Hussain Khan and his other relatives and disciples.