Bhutto family


The Bhutto family is a prominent political family and among the most powerful families of Pakistan, based in the province of Sindh. Bhuttos have played a prominent role in Pakistani politics and government. The family has held the leadership of the Pakistan People's Party, since its inception in 1967. The Bhuttos are of Rajput ancestry, based in Sindh province. The Bhuttos have been settled in the area for over three centuries.
Two members of the family, Zulfikar and Benazir Bhutto, have been the Prime Minister of Pakistan, whereas Asif Ali Zardari, Benazir's widower, served as the President of Pakistan, from 2008 to 2013.

History

Bhuttos originally migrated to Sindh in the early 18th century from the neighboring region of Rajputana. Bhutto's paternal ancestors were Hindu Rajputs, who converted to Islam in the late 17th century. 'Sheto' was the first member of the Bhutto family, who converted to Islam, to reap tax exemptions for Muslims, during Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's reign. Following the conversion he took the title of Khan, becoming 'Sheto Khan'. In Sindh, Bhuttos under Sheto first settled at Ratodero, a few miles north of Larkana.
Shah Nawaz Bhutto, a direct descendant of Sheto Khan, came to prominence during the British Raj as a dewan of the princely state of Junagadh in south-western Gujarat in India. During the Partition of India in 1947, the Muslim Nawab of Junagarh wanted to accede his state to the newly created Pakistan, but he faced rebellion by the population of Junagadh, majority of whom were Hindus. The Indian government thwarted Junagadh's accession to Pakistan, and the Bhuttos fled to Sindh in modern-day Pakistan. Shah Nawaz Bhutto moved to Larkana District in Sindh, where his land-ownership made him one of the wealthiest and most influential people in Sindh.
Beginning the political dynasty, Shah Nawaz's third son Zulfikar Ali Bhutto founded the Pakistan People's Party in 1967 and served as President and Prime Minister. He married an Iranian-Kurdish woman named Nusrat Bhutto. His daughter, Benazir, also served as Prime Minister, while Benazir's husband, Asif Ali Zardari, later served as president from 2008 to 2013. The Bhuttos continue to dominate the leadership of the PPP. Benazir's son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari became co-chairperson in 2007.

Family tree

Titles

According to other authors, the family migrated from Sarsa in Hissar.