Chowdhury

Chowdhury (Hindi: चौधरी, Urdu: چودهری, Bengali: চৌধুরী) is a term in Indo-Aryan languages, literally meaning "holder of four". Traditionally, the term is used as a title indicating the ownership of ancestral land, but in contemporary usage it is often taken as a surname or title. The spelling of the word varies in different areas. In some cases it may also mean "power".especilly Gujjars use this title.

In northern Indian states such as Haryana and Punjab, the title is used by landowning ethnic group and communities, mainly Gujjars and Jatts.However, it is also used by the Yadavs, Kurmis, Rajputs, Kambohs, Minhas and Sainis.

In Bangladesh as well as the north and eastern Indian states of Bihar, Bengal and Assam the title is used by landowning Brahmins, Kurmis and Muslim Zamindar orTaluqdar families.Kamboja caste groups with Kayastha connections in Nizami times also used this title.

In Maharashtra (North Maharashtra), the title is used and spelt as "Chaudhari" or "Chaudhary" by the Leva Patil caste.

In Andhra Pradesh, the title is used by the Kamma caste. It is typically spelt as Chowdary to differentiate from other users of the title in other parts of India.

In Pakistan, the title is used by members of landowning communities-Gujjarss and Jattss.In Pakistan, Chaudhari caste mainly exists in punjab.They have lands under them.

History

The Mughal Emperor Zaheerudin Babur mentions the Chowdhurys of Bhera in his book, Tuzk-e-Babri; they were appointed by the Turk King Alauddin Khilji. According to the Glossary of Punjab Castes, the Talukdars belonging to Mair-Minhas مائر- منهاس and Mughal Kassar مغل کسر/ مغل قصر tribes of the Dhani country (present-day Chakwal District) in the northwest of Punjab were among the first few to receive this honourific title from the Mughal Emperor Zaheerudin Babur, for their services to his army as ration suppliers for animals during a later expedition in that region.The reality which most of the Chaudharies are not ready to except is thatthey are not a tribe or a clan, During the Mughal era the courtiers had a group of chawdurries who Use to lay Carpets on the route of king during the visits to different places in the entire length and Breadth of the empire they use to be locals from the same area and as a reward king use to give them lands ,,, that is the sole reason that choudharies or chowdurries are spread all over the length & breadth of sub continent ,, More over they are not a Clan or a Creed, people from a Great varity of different races are chaudhary from Punjab in the north west to Bangal, Aasam and Mesoram in the east and south eastren part of sub continent.

During the Sikh rule in Punjab, the title became very common and quite a few village headmen or "Lumberdars" were given "Chowdhury" as a title by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Ever since, the Chowdhurys of Chakwal style themselves as "Chowdhurial" to distinguish themselves from the newly appointed men.

Chowdhury as a surname is also used by the Kammas and abassi of coastal Andhra Pradesh. During the 16th century, the Golkonda Nawab Ibrahim Qutb Shah captured the coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh. Rayarao, his Maratha commander, appointed Kammas as Deshmukhs and Choudharys in 497 villages, beginning the use of the title "Chowdhury" for Kammas in coastal Andhra Pradesh.

For Chamars in Haryana, the father use the word chaudhary for the father of the daughter inlaw and son inlaw. They also use the word for the leader or important person in a group. They also used the word chaudhury with the names as a mark of respect such as Chaudhury Chand

In Nepal "Chaudhary" as a surname is also used by the Tharu community.

Current usage

Although the title has lost its original exclusivity, in both Indian and Pakistani Punjab regions a Chowdhury is still considered a leader of a tribe in some villages and small towns. Male members of Chowdhury families are entitled to use the prefix "CH.", an abbreviation for Chowdhury that acts as a courtesy title before their first name.

In the northern and eastern Indian states of Bihar and Bengal, this title is still used by Brahmins and certain Muslim zamindar orTaluqdar families. Roy or Chowdhury is used by Zamindars of Bengal (Bangladesh).

The Kammas of coastal Andhra Pradesh, use Chowdary (mainly spelt as such) as a title and as a symbol of honour.

Since the partition of British India, people from many tribes have retained this title in Pakistan as well India, including the Gujjars Jats, Muslim Rajputs Janjua, Minhas, and Sulehrias.