Khawas Khan Marwat

Khawas Khan Marwat was one of the best generals of Sher Shah Suri, having played a major role in defeating the Mughal Emperor Humayun in 1539 at the Battle of Chausa. He belonged to the Bahram branch of the Marwat tribe. He was originally a poor fox hunter, but Sher Shah spotted his potential and elevated him to the position of a general. According to historical accounts he was born of a slave woman to a household of Lohani Marwats.

After victory in the Battle of Sammel, Khawas Khan Marwat took possession of Jodhpur and occupied the territory of Marwar from Ajmer to Mount Abu in 1544. When Humayun fled from Agra towards Multan, Sher Shah dispatched Khawas Khan and the greater part of his army to pursue him and drive him beyond the borders of India. The Mughal division which had quit Humayun and was marching toward Kabul, encountered Khawas Khan and not being strong enough, fled. Khawas Khan then rejoined Sher Shah. Sher Shah built Rohtas Fort in Jhelum to keep down Gakhars and to block Emperor Humayun's return to India, and appointed Khawas Khan the administrative head of the fort.