Khan Zaman Khan Ali Asghar

Ali Asghar (died ca 1155 AH / 1743 AD) was one of the prominent Emir and nobleman during the Mughal empire. He was entitled 'Khan Zaman Khan Bahadur' by Emperor Farrukhsiyar. He remained in many important posts during the successive rules of Bahadur Shah I, Jahandar Shah, Farrukhsiyar, Rafi ud Darajat, Shah Jahan II and Muhammad Shah.

The fort at Ferozepur Jhirka was built by him. He died in Shahjahanbad (Delhi) on 4 Dhu al-Hijjah 1155 AH/30 January 1743 at the age of 70 years.

Ali Asghar was the son of Kartalab Khan Bahadur Shahi Qazi Ghulam Mustafa and Bibi Rasti, the daughter of Qazi Syed Rafi Mohammad. He was Mansabdar Punj Hazari (5,000) Emir.

His forefathers were settled in Ferozepur Jhirka for a long time and made a big estate (riyasat) in that town. His grandfather Dewan Shaikh Asaf and great grandfather Dewan Maskeen raised both name and fame. They were chief revenue officers of the province Mewat and were entitled Dewan by Mughals.

In Shahnama Munawwar, he was mentioned as a “Mewati Ansari Khanzada” as he was the son of ‘Nawab Kartalab Khan’, hence ‘Khanzada’ and belonged to the family ‘Ansar’ of Medina, hence ‘Ansari’.

Nawab Khan Zaman Khan Bahadur handed over the keys of the Red Fort along with some treasures to Bahadur Shah I on 1 Rabi' al-awwal, when emperor was staying near Delhi