Hindu Bengali Surnames Bestowed by Muslim Rulers
In the Middle Ages, Muslim rulers of undivided Bengal—the Sultans of Gaur, the Mughal Subahdars, and the Nawabs of Murshidabad—offered all Bengalis opportunities to join prestigious government service, regardless of caste, religion, or creed. This opportunity was previously restricted to upper castes during Sena rule. Lower-caste individuals had neither prestigious professions nor social standing. During the Muslim rule, numerous Hindu Bengalis participated in governance under the Muslim rulers. The Muslim rulers granted prestigious titles to those Hindus who participated in governance, enabling them to attain social honor and dignity. Hindu Bengalis continue to use those titles given by the Muslim rulers across generations alongside their names, maintaining their family heritage. These surnames remain a living document of the shared Bengali culture between Hindus and Muslims in medieval Bengal.
Adhikari
It is believed that the surname Adhikari originated nearly 700 years ago during the reign of the Sultans of Gaur, between 1334 and 1538 CE. During that period, certain individuals were granted the right to collect land revenue or govern a group of villages. Those who received the authority (adhikar) to rule these villages were bestowed with the title Adhikari. Over time, their descendants began using it as a hereditary surname. Many believe this to be the origin of the Adhikari surname. Today, the Adhikari surname is found across various communities—including Karmakar, Namasudra, Paundra Kshatriya, Brahmin, Vaishnava, Mahishya, Malakar, Yogi, Rajbongshi Kshatriya, Mali, Sadgope, Sabitru, Sabhasundar, among others—as well as among Bengali Muslims.
(At one time, the directors or heads of Jatra troupes and Kirtan groups were also called Adhikari. However, since the head of a Jatra or Kirtan group does not necessarily pass the position down hereditarily, it seems unlikely that the surname originated in this way. Additionally, priests associated with the Cooch Behar royal family were given the Adhikari title—meaning only a select few Brahmins received it through this route, not everyone.)
Ohodedar/Oyaddedar
The word ‘Wada’ means promise, to which the Arabic-Persian suffix ‘-dar’ was added. During the Muslim rule, government officials appointed to collect promised land revenue were called Wadadar. It is believed that the surnames Ohdedar or Waddedar originated from this designation.
Kagazi
The word ‘Kagaj’ (paper) comes from the Persian word ‘Kaghaz’. Although paper was invented in China, it was introduced to India and Bengal by followers of Islam. The Sultans of Gaur established paper-manufacturing mills. According to the accounts of Chinese travelers, paper in Murshidabad was manufactured from the bark of mulberry trees. This paper was extremely white and smooth as parchment (deer skin). Those who were engaged in this profession were given the title ‘Kagazi’. This surname is found among the Kayastha caste as well as among Muslims.
Koyal / Kayal
The word ‘Koyal’ comes from Arabic, meaning an accountant. During the Muslim rule, government employees who were tasked with weighing and measuring grain, rice, or other crops were given the title Koyal. The surname Koyal originated from this designation. This surname is prevalent among communities such as the Paundra Kshatriya, Rajbongshi, Namasudra, Mahishya, Sadgope, Nabasakha, as well as other groups.
Foujdar
The word ‘Foujdar’ means a military commander or a police chief (Kotwal). ‘Fouj’ is an Arabic word. During the Sultanate period in Bengal, many untouchable and lower-caste Hindus joined the Sultan’s army with the hope of acquiring wealth and social dignity. Based on their abilities, many of them were able to attain the rank of military commander or Foujdar. Later, to preserve their social status, they adopted this rank as a family surname. This surname is found among communities such as the Tili, Namasudra, Paundra Kshatriya, Baishya Saha, Sadgope, as well as within the Muslim community.
Poddar
The surname ‘Poddar’ originated from ‘Photadar’. The word ‘Phota’ or ‘Photah’ means a bag of money. The role of a Photah-dar was to inspect and test the purity of gold and silver and lend money accordingly. The word is derived from the Arabic ‘Futwah’ and the Persian suffix ‘-dar’. From ‘Futwahdar’ it evolved into ‘Photdar’, then into ‘Potdar’, and finally into ‘Poddar’.
Kanungo
The Arabic word ‘Kanun’ means law, and the Persian word ‘Go’ means knowledgeable, referring to a legal expert. During the Muslim rule, these individuals served as revenue auditors or revenue officials. Their duties included maintaining revenue accounts, collecting revenue, determining land value and ownership rights, transferring land, and similar responsibilities. This surname is found among Bengalis of both Hindu and Muslim communities.
Khan
In the Turkic and Mongol languages, the word ‘Khan’ means a chief, leader, or king. The Mughal emperors bestowed the title ‘Khan’ upon noble individuals regardless of whether they were Hindu or Muslim. Although this title was primarily awarded to military personnel, it was also customary to grant it for public welfare activities. This surname is found among Bengalis of both Hindu and Muslim communities.
Khasnabish
The word ‘Khas’ is of Arabic origin, meaning special or personal. During the Nawabate period, those who looked after state-owned land—that is, khas-land—were given the title Khasnabish. They served as the accountants for khas-land. This surname is found among Bengalis of both Hindu and Muslim communities.
Goladar
Those who supervised grain storehouses (golas) in villages on behalf of the Nawab were given the title Goladar, which later became Goldar. Their primary duty was to ensure the supply of food for the Nawab’s army. This surname is found among Bengalis of both Hindu and Muslim communities.
Chakladar
During the Mughal era, a Chakla was formed by grouping several Parganas together. The government official appointed to oversee these Chaklas was called a Chakladar. The surname originated from this official title.
Chongadar /Chongdar
During the Muslim rule, a type of cylinder—closed at one end and fitted with a lid at the other—was used for security when transporting official documents or important records from one place to another. Letters or documents were rolled up and kept inside this cylinder. The person who supplied these cylinders was called a Chongadar or Chongdar.
Chowkidar
The word ‘Chowki’ means a guard post or watch post. The person who manages this post is a Chowkidar, meaning a watchman or security guard.
Chopdar
From the Persian ‘Chub-dar’ came Chobdar, which later became Chopdar. During the Muslim rule, the special officer who dressed in ceremonial attire and carried the mace or staff of office (asa-lathi)—the symbol of sovereign authority—held the title Chopdar. This surname is found among Bengalis of both Hindu and Muslim communities.
Joddar / Jotdar
Arable or cultivable land is called a ‘Jot’. During the Mughal era, individuals who were granted tenure or ownership rights over large tracts of land were called Jotdars. The surname Joddar originated from Jotdar.
Jowardar
Sorghum (Jowar) was widely used as horse fodder in the Mughal cavalry. The officials who supervised the supply of sorghum to the military were called Jowardar. It is believed that the surname originated from this designation.
Tarafdar
During the Mughal era, the entire state was divided into several Parganas for the convenience of administration and revenue collection. Again, the sub-divisions of a Pargana were called Tarafs. The government employee appointed to collect revenue and maintain law and order in a Taraf was called a Tarafdar (Taraf-dar). It is believed that the surname originated from this designation. This surname is found among Bengalis of both Hindu and Muslim communities.
Tehsildar / Tahsildar
Like ‘Taraf’, ‘Tehsildar’ (or ‘Tahsildar’) incorporates ‘Tehsil’, an Arabic word meaning revenue or tax. The word ‘-dar’ is Persian, meaning holder or keeper. Therefore, Tehsildar means a tax collector. During the Mughal era, those who collected taxes for any part of a zamindari estate—such as a Mahal, Dihi, or Mouza—were given the title Tehsildar.
Talukdar
The word ‘Taluk’ is of Arabic origin, meaning landed property or estate. Generally, the owner of a landed property is a Talukdar. During the Mughal era, the landed estates granted to minor military commanders as their salary were called Taluks, and those commanders were called Talukdars. The surname Talukdar is found among various castes such as Brahmin, Kshatriya, Kaibarta, Tili, Namasudra, and Karmakar, as well as within the Muslim community.
Darji
The word ‘Darji’ (tailor) refers to a person associated with the profession of making clothes. The custom of wearing stitched clothing in India was introduced during the era of Islamic rulers. Before that, the people of India did not know how to wear stitched clothes; hence, tailors did not exist in India prior to the arrival of Islam. After the arrival of Islam, many people from lower castes adopted this profession in hopes of gaining social dignity and accepted it as a surname. This surname is observed among the Byagra Kshatriya and Namasudra communities.
Dastidar
During the Mughal era, the government official under whose supervision royal documents—that is, important state records—and imperial seals were kept held the title Dastidar.
Dewan
From the Persian word ‘Divan’, meaning revenue, comes the word Dewan. During the Mughal era, the chief official of the revenue collection department was called a Dewan. The surname originated from this official title.
Laskar and Naskar
During the Mughal era, common infantry soldiers and naval sailors were called ‘Laskar’—and the surname originated from this term. The word Naskar derived from the word Laskar. This surname is found among lower-caste Hindu Bengalis as well as Muslim Bengalis.
Naebs
The Arabic word ‘Naib’ means a representative, deputy, or subordinate. During the Nawabate period, a class of officials responsible for managing zamindari estates was known as Naebs. The surname is derived from this role. This surname is found among Bengalis of both Hindu and Muslim communities.
Layeck / Naik
During the Mughal era, a military commander who led a unit of twenty-five soldiers was called a Naik. This rank still exists in the Indian Army today, where the post between a Sepoy and a Havildar is called a Naik. The surname Naik originated from this Mughal military rank. Layeck (or Layak) is derived from Naik. This surname is found among Bengalis of both Hindu and Muslim communities.
Patranabish / Patri
During the Muslim rule, highly educated Hindus were appointed by the state for drafting official letters and correspondence. These individuals, proficient in letter writing, were called Patranabish or Patri. This surname is most commonly found among the Brahmin and Kayastha communities.
Panja
Panja comes from the Persian word ‘Panja’ (Stamp). When someone received an imperial decree (sanad) for a zamindari estate from the Mughal emperors, that document bore an impression of the imperial stamp mark (Panja). Some of those who received these royal decrees stamped with the Panja added it to their names as a symbol of ancestral pride. The surname Panja originated from this practice.
Poddar
During the Mughal era, those who were capable of assaying the purity of gold and silver and who lent money on interest were called Poddars. The Arabic word Futuh or Fotah (meaning a bag of money) was combined with the Arabic-Persian suffix -dar, forming Futuhdar or Fotahdar, which evolved into Foddar, and eventually became Poddar.
Faujdar
During the Sultanate and Mughal eras, many lower-caste untouchable Hindu Bengalis joined the imperial army in hopes of gaining wealth and social dignity. The commander or head of a military force was called a Faujdar. This surname is found among castes such as Tili, Namasudra, Paundra Kshatriya, Baishya Saha, and Sadgop, as well as within the Muslim community.
Phadnavis / Fadnavis
During the Mughal era, an official proficient in preparing state expenditure lists and balance sheets was called a Fardanabish. From that came Phadnavis (or Fadnavis).
Bera
Hindu warriors in the army of the Sultan of Gaur who demonstrated proficiency in wrestling and hand-to-hand combat were selected as the personal bodyguards of the Sultan. Their title was Bir-ray. The surname Bera originated as a shortened form of this title, Bir-ray.
Bapari
‘Bapari’ means a merchant or trader. Individuals associated with the raw jute trade, as well as those involved in the buying and selling of livestock (goats, sheep, cows, buffaloes) and animal hides, are called Baparis. The usage of this surname has been prevalent since the Mughal era. This surname is found among lower-caste Hindus and Muslims.
Mallick / Mullick
During the Sultanate era, many lower-caste untouchable Hindu Bengalis joined the Sultan’s army in hopes of acquiring wealth and social dignity. Among them, those who received Jagirs (land grants) or zamindaris were awarded the title ‘Mallick’. This surname is found among lower-caste Hindus as well as within the Muslim community.
Majumdar
During the Sultanate era, those who took leases (Ijarah) of individual Mouzas (revenue villages) to collect taxes and conduct local administration were called Moujadars. This position continued to exist during the Mughal era as well. The surname Majumdar originated from this word, Moujadar. This surname is found among Ugra Kshatriya, Karmakar, Kayastha, Tili, Namasudra, Patni, Paundra Kshatriya, Barujibi, Baidya, Baishya Kapali, Baishya Saha, Brahmin, Malla Kshatriya, Mali, Mahishya, Modak, Yogi, Rajbanshi Kshatriya, Sadgop, Sabita, Sabhasundar, Saha Banik, Sutradhar, and Hari Kayastha castes, as well as within the Muslim community.
Mohallanabish
During the Mughal era, the government accountant of a Mohalla (neighborhood or quarter) was called a Mohallanabish. The surname
Mahalanobis derived from that title. This surname is most commonly found among the Kayastha community.
Mustafi
The Arabic word ‘Mustafi’ means chosen, preferred, wise, and so on. During the Mughal era, the title of the chief accountant of the Dewani (revenue) office was Mustafi. The surname Mustafi originated from that title.
Manikyas
The surname of the kings of Tripura. It is mentioned in the Rajmala (the royal chronicle of Tripura) that the Muslim Sultan of Bengal, Shamsuddin Iliyas Shah (or according to another account, his son Sultan Sikandar Shah), conquered Tripura, deposed ‘Raja-Pha’, and installed ‘Ratna-Pha’ on the throne. The Sultan conferred the title ‘Manikya’ upon ‘Ratna-Pha’, and it became the traditional hereditary title of the kings of Tripura, establishing the rulers of Tripura as the ‘Manikyas’.
Malik
An Arabic word meaning master, lord, sovereign, and so on. The person who held the highest power and honor after the Sultan was the ‘Malik’. Those who received the title of Malik were considered potential heirs or successors to the empire. Although members of the Sultan’s dynasty usually held this title, it was also conferred upon suitable and trusted noblemen from both Hindu and Muslim communities.
Ray
‘Ray’ is derived from the word ‘Rajan’. From Rajan came Raja, then Raya, and finally Ray. The Hindu warriors who were appointed to high military commander positions at the court of the Sultans of Gaur were granted zamindaris or principalities over vast territories, and their title was ‘Ray’. In terms of official status, they were kings and maharajas. The surname Ray is found among Brahmins, Kayasthas, and Baidyas, as well as many other castes and within the Muslim community.
Shikdar
During the Mughal era, the head of a Pargana was called a Shikdar. The surname later originated from that position. This surname is found among Bengalis of both Hindu and Muslim communities.
Samajdars / Samaddars
During the Mughal era, government officials who inspected cultivation in the district and resolved disputes among farmers were called Samajdars or Samaddars. They held special respect in rural society. The surname originated from that position.
Sarkar
In Persian, ‘Sarkar’ means ruler or governor. During the Mughal era, Sarkar referred to a state representative. Those who were appointed to various government posts during the Mughal period added the word Sarkar to their names as a mark of social honor. The surname Sarkar originated in this way. This surname is found among Brahmins, Kayasthas, Karmakars, Ugra Kshatriyas, Kaibartas, and Muslims alike.
Sardar
In Persian and Turkish languages, ‘Sardar’ means leader or chief. During the Muslim rule, the title Sardar was conferred as a symbol of prestige upon military, political, and socially leading elites. This surname is found among Bengalis of both Hindu and Muslim communities.
Sarkhel
Derived from Persian-Arabic roots—Sar (head, chief, or top) combined with Khail (cavalry unit, tribe, or group). Literally translating to “chief of a military squad” or “cavalry commander.” During the Nawab era, this title was awarded to Bengali Hindus to signify special honor or distinction. Commonly, this surname is observed among the Brahmin, Sabitri Brahmin, and Namasudra communities.
Sapui
During the Mughal era, an individual involved in presenting evidence or proof in court was called a Sabud. The surname Sapui later derived from that term. The surname Sapui is found among Mahishya, Karmakar, Paundra Kshatriya, Byagra Kshatriya, and other castes, as well as within the Muslim community.
Hazari / Hazra
During the Mughal era, a military commander in charge of one thousand soldiers was called a Hazari. The surname Hazra derived from that title. This surname is found among both Hindu and Muslim communities.
Haldar
The surname Haldar derived from the Mughal-era title ‘Havildar’ (military commander). Today, this rank still exists in the Indian Army and Police force. It has no connection with Hal meaning a plow or the helm (Hal) of a boat—since this surname is also found among Brahmins—nor does it have any connection to being a temple priest, as this surname is found among Namasudras and Muslims as well. The surname Haldar is found among Brahmins, Mahishyas, Yadavs, Karmakars, Kaibartas, Namasudras, and other castes, as well as within the Muslim community.
Source:
Podobir utpotti o kromobikasher itihas – Sri Khagendranath Voumik.
Amader podobir itihas – Lokeswa Bosu.
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