SAYAD  , a descendant of

Ali, the son-in-law of Mahomet, by Fatima, Mahomet's daughter . Many of the Pathan tribes in the North-West Frontier Province of India, such as the Bangash of Kohat and the Mishwanis of the Hazara border, claim Sayad origin . The apostles who completed the conversion of the Pathans to Islam were called Sayads if they came from the west, and Sheikhs if they came from the east; hence doubtless many false claims to Sayad origin . In Afghanistan the Sayads have much of the commerce in their hands, as their holy character allows them to pass unharmed where other Pathans would be murdered . The Sayads gave a short-lived dynasty to India, which reigned at Delhi during the first half of the 15th century . Their name again figures in Indian history at the break up of the Mogul empire, when two Sayad brothers created and dethroned emperors at their will (1714-1720) . In 19o1 the total number of Sayads in all India was returned at 1,339,734 . They include many well-known and influential families . The first Mahommedan appointed to the Council of India and the first appointed to the Privy Council were both Sayads .