The dynasty descends in the male line from the fourth
Rashidun Caliph Ali and was founded by Sayyid Abul Mukhtar Al Naqab, Amir
al Hajj. The
Shrine of Imam Reza at Mashhad was long associated with this dynasty, and heads of the dynasty held immense prestige in the
Safavid Empire. Amir Shamsuddin Ali II, Naqib al Nuqba (Chief Genealogist) of
Khorassan and Iraq came to
Najaf from Iraq during the reign of Shah Rukh. He is separated from Amir Ali Shamsuddin Ali Madi by three generations and his son Amir Shamsuddin Ali III became the pre-eminent noble of Khorasan. Ali III acquired much of the territory of
Sabzwar and when Abdullah Khan Uzbeg of Turan overran most of Khorasan, he remained a staunch opponent and gave a harsh reply to Abdullah Khan's overtures. His boldness and independence caught the eye of
Shah Tahmasp of Iran who bestowed upon him the title of
Sultan and extended his territory. Later, members of this family received mansabs under the emperor
Jahangir and one was appointed
Subahdar of Delhi. == References ==