Thakur (Indian title)
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Thakur (also Thakoor, Thakkar, Thakhor, Thakir, Thakrar or Tukhar) is an Indian feudal title that literally means "lord". The Jamindar class of people in previous centuries used Thakur as a title or surname. Thakur was also the feudal title used by rulers of many princely states in India; the title "Thakurani Sahiba" (Thakrana Saheba) was used by their wives or spouses.word thakur is originated first in Bengal
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Usage [edit]
/*THAKUR : "Thakur" word is the title of MAITHIL BRAHAMAN in Bihar specially used in Darbhanga, Madhubani. its generation of SHANDIL RISHI and Few other Cast like Barbar (Hazam), & Rajput also used it. The title was used by rulers of the princely states of Ambliara, Bakrol Limbdi Malia, Sayala, Bhavnagar, Lakhtar, Miyagam, Manadar, Dhrol, Rajkot, Virpur, Sathamba, Morbi, Varsoda, Vala, Gad Boriad, Gadhka, Gabat, Kankarwa, Rajpur, Gondal, Pal, Kotda Sangani, Shahpur, Deesa, Kotharia, Lodhika Senior, Lodhika Junior, Gavridad, Rajpara, Jaola, Dundlod, Ghanerao, Tana, in addition to others.[1]
Thakur is the "Royal Caste of Rajput" and "Thakur Sahib" was the feudal title used by the rulers of many princely states in India. "Thakur" can be written in front of a male or female's name (male = Thakur/female = Thakurani)—that is, "Thakur Vijay Singh"—but in some states, the "Thakur" must be written after the name and only the eldest member of the family can use "Thakur" in front of his/her name; for example, "Thakur Sher Singh Rana" (the first word contain the title "Thakur"; "Sher" is the name of the person; "Singh" is the middle name of the person; and the last name reflects the clan (or "kulas") of the person.[citation needed]
- In Uttar Pradesh, the title Thakur is usually adopted by Kshatriyas, such as Rajput.
- In Bihar, Maithil Brahmins and members of the Bhumihar brahmin community occasionally use Thakur.
- Thakur families that belong to the Maratha Kshatriya caste exist in Maharashtra and Goa.[2]
- In the Bihari language, "Thakur Ji" is also the name of a Hindi god Vishnu.
The greatest number of people from the Thakur caste is present in the states of, Rajastahn, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.[citation needed]
Bengal [edit]
Thakur (ঠাকুর) is a Bengali surname derived from 'Thakurmashai' (holy sir) for any Bengali brahmins and also for someone of high spiritual esteem. Thakur can also be known as a title of respect for any member of the Kayastha caste[citation needed]. The surname was given out of respect for any Brahmin family earlier who used to hold a different title (surname) like Kushari,[3][4][5][6][7] Banerjee, Bhattacharya etc. In English, it was Anglicized to "Tāgore". Thakur is also an Indian feudal and colonial title in Hindi.
- Rabindranath Thakur, anglicised to Rabindranath Tāgore, in English.
- Ramakrishna, a 19th century mystic of Bengal, is also addressed as Thakur by his followers.
- The followers of Thakur Anukulchandra address him with the title of "Sri Sri Thakur".
Kashmir [edit]
A prominent Ahmadi Muslim Thakur family resides in Kotli, Kashmir.[2]
Princely ruler titles [edit]
Since feudal times, Thakur, meaning "Lord," was the Hindi title (below Raja) for the hereditary ruler of a princely state who was usually born of the bloodlines of the Rajput clan; this is particularly the case in western India.[citation needed]
Thakur is the usual rendition of "Thakore" 'Thakar' in northern and central parts of India. The Bengali form, Tāgore, is a derived surname.[citation needed]
Nominal Thakores [edit]
The following non-salute states (and probably several others) were ruled by a Thakur; in some cases, a later promotion (to a higher rank) occurred—this is done on either a personal basis or an official basis, whereby a permanent upgrade of status is deemed by the state:
- Belsan – since the 1858 Rana
- Baraundha Pathar Kachhar – since the 1908 Raja
- Bija, India
- Jewana, Mewar
- Jiliya
- Jadawata
- Kankarwa, Mewar
- Kirar
- Lonia
- Kawardha
- Khaneti
- Baset
- Kharsawan – an estate until 1857
- Kunihar
- Toda Torawati
- Mahlog or Mahilog
- Maihar – since the 1869 Raja
- Pahuna, Mewar
- Panch Mahal Maroth
- Sangri – since the 1887 Rai
- Tharoch – since the 1929 Rana
- Wadagam
Compound titles [edit]
Thakar Sahibs ("Sir Lord") was a loftier title, and was used until the establishment of an independent Indian nation—sovereignty was achieved through a process of accession by the rulers of the following four salute states (the official elite among the British Crown's Indian vassals):
In the following salute state, a higher title was assumed prior to India's independence:
- Bhavnagar (in Gujarat and preceded by the states Sejakpur, Umrala and Sihor, until the founding of the eponymous capital in 1722; Maharaja Rao was then promoted in 1918)
The following non-salute states have been ruled by a Thakar sahib or Thakur sahib until India's independence (list probably incomplete):
- Ambliara
- Bhadarwa
- Jambughoda
- Khirasra (founded by a scion of Dhrol—see above; originally styled as "Thakur")
- Lakhtar
- Vala (Vallabhipur)
- Wadhwan
Other Thakore sahibs (holder or master) were those in Amod, Gogha, Gondar, Kharia (in Jaisalmer), Kerwada and Khadal, Khirasra, Kotda-Sangani, Lakhtar, Mahlog, Malia, Mansa, Mengni (in Rajkot), Muliby, Ranapur, Ranpur, Sejakpur, Vala, Vanod (now in Gujarat) and Virpur.
Thakur Shri (with the politically meaningless suffix Shri) was used in the following non-salute states:
Other uses [edit]
- Thakur is not a caste or religion, but rather an identity; the word is self-assigned by wealthy members in villages, such as landlords, and is placed before an individual's name—such individuals hold a high standing in their villages (this position is in terms of ensuring that justice is served on behalf of their people). These individuals claim to be descendants from a good Kshtriya family, such as the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty of the Kushan Empire in the north-west. The word is derived from the blessings that farmers would pass onto the owners of the land that they used, who were grateful to be able to feed their families—land owners were like "God" to the farmers, so they applied the term "Thakur".[citation needed]
- As a formal title, Thakur was also often used for non-ruling noblemen (either with an estate or merely honorary).
- In Jodhpur (in Rajasthan), until the reign of Maharaja Umaid Singhji, the title of Maharaj was inheritable by all legitimate males for three generations; this later became seven generations to conform with Rajput marriage customs—the sons' titles are stylised as "Rajkumar" during their father's lifetime, and "Maharaj" afterwards. Those members of the eighth generation, and beyond, inherit.
- In Tripura, members of the royal family were known as "Thakurs".[8]
Equivalents [edit]
In Kerala, the term "Thakore" was not used and Madampi, Eshmanan and Thirumukom were used instead. These titles were often affixed to people of the highest ranking Nair subcastes, such as Pillai, Nayanar, Nambiar and Unnithan, who were feudal landlords or jenmis.
Related terms [edit]
- A "Thikana" is the state or estate of a Thakur.
- A "Thakurani" is the title for a Thakur's wife.
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ Christopher Buyers (2001–2008). "India – Salute States". salute. Christopher Buyers. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
- ^ a b Sherring, M.A. (First ed 1872, new ed 2008). Hindu Tribes and Castes as Reproduced in Benaras. 6A, Shahpur Jat, New Delhi-110049, India: Asian Educational Services. ISBN 978-81-206-2036-0.
- ^ Tagore, Rathindranath (New edition (December 1978)). On the edges of time. Greenwood Press. p. 2. ISBN 978-0313207600.
- ^ Mukherjee, Mani Shankar (May 2010). "Timeless Genius". Pravasi Bharatiya: 89, 90.
- ^ Banerjee, Hiranmay (1995). Tagores of Jorasanko. Gyan Publishing House.
- ^ RoyChowdhury, Sumitra (1982). The Gurudev and the Mahatma. Subhada-Saraswata Publications. p. 29.
- ^ Aruna Chakravarti, Sunil Gangopadhyaya. Those Days. pp. 97–98. ISBN 9780140268522.
- ^ Sociological perspectives on globalisation By Ajaya Kumar Sahoo p.128
