Munshi is a Persian word, originally used for a contractor, writer, or secretary, and later used in the Mughal Empire and India for native language teachers, teachers of various subjects, especially administrative principles, religious texts, science, and philosophy and were also secretaries and translators employed by Europeans.

Etymology

Munshi ( fa, منشی) is a Persian word derived form Arabic, that is used as a respected title for persons who achieved mastery over languages, especially in the Indian subcontinent. It became a surname to those people whose ancestors had received this title and some of whom also served as ministers and administrators in the kingdoms of various Royals and are regarded as nobility. In modern Persian, this word is also used to address administrators, head of departments.

Use by British

Administrators, head of departments, accountants, and secretaries hired by the government in India were known as Munshies. The family name Munshi was adopted by families whose ancestors were honoured with this title and were responsible for administering various offices etc. and these families (selective) were and are regarded as nobility.

Abdul Karim ʻAbd al-Karīm (ALA-LC romanization of ar, عبد الكريم) is a Muslim male given name and, in modern usage, also a surname. It is built from the Arabic words '' ʻabd'' and ''al-Karīm'', one of the names of God in the Qur'an, which give ris ...

, known as "The Munshi", was a highly valued and respected Indian attendant of Queen Victoria.

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External links

{{Wiktionary Bengali words and phrases Government of British India Government of the Mughal Empire Historians from the Mughal Empire Indian surnames Hindu surnames Kashmiri tribes Kashmiri-language surnames Urdu-language words and phrases Titles in Bangladesh

Etymology

Use by British

See also

References

External links