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{{more citations needed|date=November 2020}} {{more citations needed|date=November 2020}}
] ] of the ]. ].]] ] ] of the ]. ].]]
] son Sultan Mahmud Khan (1925-2003), ] granted his relative ] the title Sultan (Higher Sardar) by birth in honor of his descent to ]]]
]'', Prince ] of Qajar Persia ''c. 1920s''.]] ]'', Prince ] of Qajar Persia ''c. 1920s''.]]
] and First Lady ] with the prized gelding "Sardar".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/jackie-kennedy-receives-horse-from-governor-of-pakistan|title=Jackie Kennedy receives horse from governor of Pakistan - Mar 23, 1962 - HISTORY.com|website=history.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317090022/http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/jackie-kennedy-receives-horse-from-governor-of-pakistan|archive-date=2016-03-17}}</ref>]] ] and First Lady ] with the prized gelding "Sardar".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/jackie-kennedy-receives-horse-from-governor-of-pakistan|title=Jackie Kennedy receives horse from governor of Pakistan - Mar 23, 1962 - HISTORY.com|website=history.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317090022/http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/jackie-kennedy-receives-horse-from-governor-of-pakistan|archive-date=2016-03-17}}</ref>]]
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In ] it is known as the title for Afghan Princes during the ], descending from the Emir ul Umara Payindah Muhammad Khan, father of the King ]. Sardar was from 1823 until 1964 equal to ] until the initiation of the ], that led to the introduction of the titles Shahzada and Shahdukht limited for the descendants of ]. This constitutional act, that was regarded as controverse by senior Sardars of the Barakzai Royal Family, initiated a clan feud with ] finally ousting his cousin ]. In ] it is known as the title for Afghan Princes during the ], descending from the Emir ul Umara Payindah Muhammad Khan, father of the King ]. Sardar was from 1823 until 1964 equal to ] until the initiation of the ], that led to the introduction of the titles Shahzada and Shahdukht limited for the descendants of ]. This constitutional act, that was regarded as controverse by senior Sardars of the Barakzai Royal Family, initiated a clan feud with ] finally ousting his cousin ].


== Etymology ==
The term and its cognates originate from Persian ''sardār'' ({{lang|fa|]}}) and have been historically used across ] (Iran), the ] and Turkey (as "]"), ] (now Iraq), Syria], South Asia (Pakistan, India, ] and ]), the ], Central Asia, the ] and ] (as "]").<ref name=EB1911>{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Sirdar |volume=25 |page=154}}</ref> The term and its cognates originate from Persian ''sardār'' ({{lang|fa|]}}) and have been historically used across ] (Iran), the ] and Turkey (as "]"), ] (now Iraq), Syria], South Asia (Pakistan, India, ] and ]), the ], Central Asia, the ] and ] (as "]").<ref name=EB1911>{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Sirdar |volume=25 |page=154}}</ref>


==Modern Statemanship==
⚫ The term ''sardar'' was used by ] leaders and generals who held important positions in various ]. The title is still commonly used by Sikhs today. Though historically signifying one's military rank or membership of a locally important family, in the contemporary period the title is used widely in India and neighbouring countries for any respected Sikh male. ''Sardar'' was also used to refer to generals of the ]. After the decline of ], ''sardar'' later indicated a ], a ], and an army ]. As a military rank, a ''sardar'' typically marked the ] or the highest-ranking ] in an army, akin to the modern ], ] or ]. The more administrative title ''Sirdar-Bahadur'' denoted a ] or ] of a remote province, akin to a British ].
=== Afghanistan ===
In modern statemanship Sardar is mostly associated to the ], which was used for Princes.


Princes had 3 ranks:<ref>Buyers in Royal Ark; Afghanistan, Section: Glossary</ref>
⚫ In ] ], a ''sirdar'' is a local leader of the ].<ref>{{cite book | last = Sayre | first = Woodrow Wilson | title = Four Against Everest | url = https://archive.org/details/fouragainstevere00sayr | url-access = registration | publisher = Prentice-Hall | year = 1964 | location = Englewood Cliffs, NJ, USA | id = Library of Congress Catalog Card No: 64-15208 }}</ref> Among other duties, he records the heights reached by each Sherpa, which factors into their compensation.
* Shah (Sardars achieving the rank of ], who are below the ]. Linguistical usage before the name whereas the head of state (Padishah) used the title shah after his name. Exclusively for three Sardars in Afghan history ], ] and ] (at that time War Minister Sardar Shah Nadir Khan Ghazi) during ]´s reign
* Sultan (a high title of honour, superior to ] and Sardar, but ranking below Shah. Notable holders by royal decree were ] son Sultan Mahmud Khan (1925-2003) as well as their relative ] (b.1967))
* Sardar (By birth for all Princes descending from Sardar Paydinah Khan Muhammadzai)


⚫ It was also used as an honor of merit in the original ''Nishan-i-Sardari'' (Order of the Leader), founded by ] in 1923, that was bestowed for exceptional service to the Crown by the Afghan monarch. Recipients enjoyed the titles of ''Sardar-i-Ala'' or ''Sardar-i-Ali'' before their names and also received grants of land. The original Order was disbanded in 1929, and was later revived by ]. The address was also granted by birth for descendants of the ].
==Princes==


=== Ottoman Turkey ===
⚫ *The ], have been ruled by kings of state styled ''Sardar''. For example, the king of ] used the title of Sardar.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://members.iinet.net.au/~royalty/ips/k/kapurthala.html|title=Royal Kapurthala Dynasty History}}</ref>
*In the ] the title Sardar -equivalent to ]- was given by birth for descendants of the ].

==Examples of regional use==
* ] ''sirdar'', ca.1820]]In ], the title ''Sardar'' marked the chief of his tribe.
⚫ * In the ], the title was used for Princes. It was also used as an honor of merit in the original ''Nishan-i-Sardari'' (Order of the Leader), founded by ] in 1923, that was bestowed for exceptional service to the Crown by the Afghan monarch. Recipients enjoyed the titles of ''Sardar-i-Ala'' or ''Sardar-i-Ali'' before their names and also received grants of land. The original Order was disbanded in 1929, and was later revived by ]. The address was also granted by birth for descendants of the ].
* In ], Serdar was a rank in ] with ], later ], encompassing entire ], and parts of ] and ], as well as in other parts Ottoman Montenegro, Serbia, and other lands. Serdar was also used in the ] and the ] as an honorary "title" below that of ]. For example, ] who was a military leader and former prime minister of Montenegro with title of ''Serdar''. However, these were not noble titles as there was no nobility in Serbia and Montenegro and no hereditary titles apart from those borne by members of the reigning families of both countries. * In ], Serdar was a rank in ] with ], later ], encompassing entire ], and parts of ] and ], as well as in other parts Ottoman Montenegro, Serbia, and other lands. Serdar was also used in the ] and the ] as an honorary "title" below that of ]. For example, ] who was a military leader and former prime minister of Montenegro with title of ''Serdar''. However, these were not noble titles as there was no nobility in Serbia and Montenegro and no hereditary titles apart from those borne by members of the reigning families of both countries.

=== Qajar Iran ===
* In ], ''Sardar-i-Bozorg'' was the title of both ] and his brother Hasan Khan Qajar. Both were uncles of ], the King-Emperor of Persia and the Commander-in-chief under Emperor ] in the ] and ]. * In ], ''Sardar-i-Bozorg'' was the title of both ] and his brother Hasan Khan Qajar. Both were uncles of ], the King-Emperor of Persia and the Commander-in-chief under Emperor ] in the ] and ].

*In ], village chiefs, military commanders, and noble personalities were referred to as Sardars. The title is commonly used by both Muslims and Sikhs.
== Indian Use ==
⚫ The term ''sardar'' was used by ] leaders and generals who held important positions in various ]. The title is still commonly used by Sikhs today. Though historically signifying one's military rank or membership of a locally important family, in the contemporary period the title is used widely in India and neighbouring countries for any respected Sikh male. ''Sardar'' was also used to refer to generals of the ]. After the decline of ], ''sardar'' later indicated a ], a ], and an army ]. As a military rank, a ''sardar'' typically marked the ] or the highest-ranking ] in an army, akin to the modern ], ] or ]. The more administrative title ''Sirdar-Bahadur'' denoted a ] or ] of a remote province, akin to a British ].

⚫ *The ], have been ruled by kings of state styled ''Sardar''. For example, the king of ] used the title of Sardar.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://members.iinet.net.au/~royalty/ips/k/kapurthala.html|title=Royal Kapurthala Dynasty History}}</ref>
* The early ] ] prior to ] administration (1674–1749) used the title ''Sardar'' to identify an imperial court ] with military and diplomatic functions. If granted land ('']''), the title ''Sardar'' also marked a ] responsible for administration, defense and taxing of the granted territory (equivalent to the European title ], from the French ''comte'' meaning the "companion" or delegate to the ] that administered a ]). These ''Sardars'' of the early ] were ]; the title was not hereditary. * The early ] ] prior to ] administration (1674–1749) used the title ''Sardar'' to identify an imperial court ] with military and diplomatic functions. If granted land ('']''), the title ''Sardar'' also marked a ] responsible for administration, defense and taxing of the granted territory (equivalent to the European title ], from the French ''comte'' meaning the "companion" or delegate to the ] that administered a ]). These ''Sardars'' of the early ] were ]; the title was not hereditary.
* If the ''Sardar'' was appointed to ] of all ] forces, the style '']'' was used in combination (e.g., ''Sardar Senapati'' or ''Sarsenapati'' Khanderao Yesajirao ]. The title ] is a ] hereditary title, as is evidenced by the current '']'' Shrimant Sardar Padmasenraje ] of ]. * If the ''Sardar'' was appointed to ] of all ] forces, the style '']'' was used in combination (e.g., ''Sardar Senapati'' or ''Sarsenapati'' Khanderao Yesajirao ]. The title ] is a ] hereditary title, as is evidenced by the current '']'' Shrimant Sardar Padmasenraje ] of ].
* In the ], the more administrative role of ''Sirdar-Bahadur'' denoted a ] or ] of a remote ]; this best equates to a ] '']'' or British ] in function and rank. * In the ], the more administrative role of ''Sirdar-Bahadur'' denoted a ] or ] of a remote ]; this best equates to a ] '']'' or British ] in function and rank.
* The title ''Sirdar'' was used by Englishmen to describe native noblemen in ] (e.g., ''Sirdars'' of the ]). * The title ''Sirdar'' was used by Englishmen to describe native noblemen in ] (e.g., ''Sirdars'' of the ]).

==Aristocrats==
* In the ] of Pakistan, the word ''Sardar'' is used by the ] tribe, traditionally, to stress their upper-caste status. * In the ] of Pakistan, the word ''Sardar'' is used by the ] tribe, traditionally, to stress their upper-caste status.
*In the small district of ], ], ''Sardar'' is used by the hybrid ] tribe. Also, Poonch families in this region use ''Sardar'' at the beginning of their names. *In the small district of ], ], ''Sardar'' is used by the hybrid ] tribe. Also, Poonch families in this region use ''Sardar'' at the beginning of their names.
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*During the time of ], the term Sardar became even more common as a title given to Sikh men. Although it was officially reserved to address a high-ranking official or a commanding chief such as a general or officer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thesardarco.com/blogs/blog/what-is-a-sardar|title=What is a Sardar?|last=www.thesardarco.com|website=The Sardar Co|language=en|access-date=2020-04-03}}</ref> *During the time of ], the term Sardar became even more common as a title given to Sikh men. Although it was officially reserved to address a high-ranking official or a commanding chief such as a general or officer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thesardarco.com/blogs/blog/what-is-a-sardar|title=What is a Sardar?|last=www.thesardarco.com|website=The Sardar Co|language=en|access-date=2020-04-03}}</ref>


==Modern usage== ==Rural usage==
⚫ In ] ], a ''sirdar'' is a local leader of the ].<ref>{{cite book | last = Sayre | first = Woodrow Wilson | title = Four Against Everest | url = https://archive.org/details/fouragainstevere00sayr | url-access = registration | publisher = Prentice-Hall | year = 1964 | location = Englewood Cliffs, NJ, USA | id = Library of Congress Catalog Card No: 64-15208 }}</ref> Among other duties, he records the heights reached by each Sherpa, which factors into their compensation.

* The term ''Sardar'' is today used to refer to adult male followers of the religion of ], as a disproportionate number of Sikhs have honorably served in many high-ranking positions within the ]. Notable examples include Generals ] and ]. * The term ''Sardar'' is today used to refer to adult male followers of the religion of ], as a disproportionate number of Sikhs have honorably served in many high-ranking positions within the ]. Notable examples include Generals ] and ].
*In ] ], a ''Sirdar'' is the local leader of the ] and porters.<ref>{{cite book| last = Sayre | first = Woodrow Wilson| title = Four Against Everest | publisher = Prentice-Hall| year = 1964 | location = Englewood Cliffs, NJ, USA | url =https://archive.org/details/fouragainstevere00sayr| url-access = registration | id = Library of Congress Catalog Card No: 64-15208 | page = }}</ref> Among other duties, he records the heights reached by individual Sherpas, which dictates the amounts the Sherpas will be paid. *In ] ], a ''Sirdar'' is the local leader of the ] and porters.<ref>{{cite book| last = Sayre | first = Woodrow Wilson| title = Four Against Everest | publisher = Prentice-Hall| year = 1964 | location = Englewood Cliffs, NJ, USA | url =https://archive.org/details/fouragainstevere00sayr| url-access = registration | id = Library of Congress Catalog Card No: 64-15208 | page = }}</ref> Among other duties, he records the heights reached by individual Sherpas, which dictates the amounts the Sherpas will be paid.
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==See also== ==See also==
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]

Revision as of 05:16, 3 April 2023

Persian-language title of nobility For other uses, see Sardar (disambiguation).
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File:Sardar Daoud Khan Portrait.jpg
His Royal Highness Sardar Muhammad Daoud Khan of the Barakzai Dynasty. First President of Afghanistan.
On the request of Shah Mahmud Khan´s son Sultan Mahmud Khan (1925-2003), Zahir Shah granted his relative Sayyid Sultan Masood Dakik the title Sultan (Higher Sardar) by birth in honor of his descent to Prophet Muhammad
Sardar-I-Azam, Prince Abdol Majid Mirza of Qajar Persia c. 1920s.
Pakistani President Ayub Khan and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy with the prized gelding "Sardar".
Grand Vizier Ahmet Tevfik Pasha, the last Ottoman Serdar-ı Azam.
Serdar Janko Vukotić of the Principality and Kingdom of Montenegro.

Sardar, also spelled as Sardaar/Sirdar (Template:Lang-fa, Persian pronunciation: [særˈdɑr], 'commander', literally 'headmaster'), is a title of royalty and nobility that was originally used to denote princes, noblemen, chiefs, kings and other aristocrats. It has also been used to denote a chief or leader of a tribe or group. It is used as a Persian synonym of the title Emir of Arabic origin.

In modern history it is known as the title for Afghan Princes during the Afghan Royal Kingdom, descending from the Emir ul Umara Payindah Muhammad Khan, father of the King Sultan Mohammed Khan. Sardar was from 1823 until 1964 equal to Prince until the initiation of the constitution of year 1964, that led to the introduction of the titles Shahzada and Shahdukht limited for the descendants of Zahir Shah. This constitutional act, that was regarded as controverse by senior Sardars of the Barakzai Royal Family, initiated a clan feud with Sardar Mohammed Daoud Khan finally ousting his cousin Zahir Shah.

Etymology

The term and its cognates originate from Persian sardār (سردار) and have been historically used across Persia (Iran), the Ottoman Empire and Turkey (as "Serdar"), Mesopotamia (now Iraq), Syria], South Asia (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Nepal), the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Balkans and Egypt (as "Sirdar").

Modern Statemanship

Afghanistan

In modern statemanship Sardar is mostly associated to the Royal Afghan Kingdom, which was used for Princes.

Princes had 3 ranks:

It was also used as an honor of merit in the original Nishan-i-Sardari (Order of the Leader), founded by King Amanullah in 1923, that was bestowed for exceptional service to the Crown by the Afghan monarch. Recipients enjoyed the titles of Sardar-i-Ala or Sardar-i-Ali before their names and also received grants of land. The original Order was disbanded in 1929, and was later revived by King Muhammad Zahir Shah. The address was also granted by birth for descendants of the Emir Sultan Mohammed Khan Telai.

Ottoman Turkey

Qajar Iran

Indian Use

The term sardar was used by Sikh leaders and generals who held important positions in various Sikh Misls. The title is still commonly used by Sikhs today. Though historically signifying one's military rank or membership of a locally important family, in the contemporary period the title is used widely in India and neighbouring countries for any respected Sikh male. Sardar was also used to refer to generals of the Maratha Empire. After the decline of feudalism, sardar later indicated a Head of State, a Commander-in-chief, and an army military rank. As a military rank, a sardar typically marked the Commander-in-Chief or the highest-ranking military officer in an army, akin to the modern Field Marshal, General of the Army or Chief of Army. The more administrative title Sirdar-Bahadur denoted a Governor-General or Chief Minister of a remote province, akin to a British Viceroy.

Head of state

  • In Persian, Sardar i-Azam was occasionally used as an alternative title for the Shahanshah's Head of government, normally styled Vazir i-Azam, notably in 1904-06 for a Qajar prince, Prince Major General Abdol Majid Mirza.
  • Vallabhbhai Patel, the first Deputy Prime Minister of India was referred to as Sardar Patel; he is also now known as the "Iron Man of India".
  • Sadr-e-Riyasat was the title of one Constitutional Head of State of the princely state of Kashmir, Yuvaraj Shri Karan Singhji Bahadur, who was appointed as Heir Apparent in 1931. After his father had acceded to India, ending the sovereign Monarchy, Regent in 1949 to 1956. Sardar-i-Riyasat 1956 to 1965 (succeeded on the death of his father as Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, 1961, no longer carrying any hereditary power), next Governor of the Indian constitutive State of Jammu and Kashmir 1965 to 1967.
  • Mohammed Daoud Khan of Afghanistan had the title of Sardar as president.
  • Saparmurat Niyazov, the authoritarian ruler of Turkmenistan in 1990–2006, carried a few glorifying titles, one of which was Serdar (“Leader”).
  • Sardar Sulakhan Singh Puar of Sikh Empire had the title of Sardar. Among Sikhs, Sardar is the title used by Sikh nobles, Military leaders & village chiefs.

Military title

A Maratha Durbar showing the Chief (Raja) and the nobles (Sardars, Jagirdars, Istamuradars & Mankaris) of the state.
A Sikh sardar
Bhakti Thapa, a Gorkhali Sardar

Rural usage

In Himalayan mountaineering, a sirdar is a local leader of the Sherpas. Among other duties, he records the heights reached by each Sherpa, which factors into their compensation.

See also

References

  1. "Jackie Kennedy receives horse from governor of Pakistan - Mar 23, 1962 - HISTORY.com". history.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-17.
  2. ^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Sirdar" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 25 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 154.
  3. Buyers in Royal Ark; Afghanistan, Section: Glossary
  4. "Royal Kapurthala Dynasty History".
  5. Cummings, Sally N. (2010). Symbolism and Power in Central Asia: Politics of the Spectacular. Milton, United Kingdom: Routledge. pp. 91–92. ISBN 978-0415575676.
  6. Hassan, Syed Siraj ul (1989). The Castes and Tribes of H.E.H. the Nizam's Dominions. New Delhi, India: Asian Educational Services. pp. 332: The Koli country was then known as Bávan Mávals, or fifty - two valleys, each under a naik . These naiks held a good position, both in the Bahamani and in the Ahmednagar kingdoms, ranking among the nobles called ' Sardars ' and Mansabsar. ISBN 978-81-206-0488-9.
  7. Behera, Maguni Charan (2019-11-09). Tribal Studies in India: Perspectives of History, Archaeology and Culture. New Delhi, India: Springer Nature. pp. Bahamani Sultans conferred the title of Sardar to the Koli chiefs who held the charge of hilly tracts. ISBN 978-981-329-026-6.
  8. Heredia, Rudolf C.; Ratnagar, Shereen (2003). Mobile, and Marginalized Peoples: Perspectives from the Past. New Delhi, India: Manohar Publications. pp. 160: Raja Vikramajit, Shahjahan's governor of Gujarat, had to conduct an expedition in 1622 against some Kolis north of Ahmedabad who had ... The Bahmanis conferred the rank of Sardar on Koli chiefs who held charge of hill tracts. ISBN 978-81-7304-497-7.
  9. Robinson, Frederick Bruce (1978). Adaptation to Colonial Rule by the "wild Tribes" of the Bombay Deccan, 1818–1880: From Political Competition to Social Banditry. New Delhi, India: University of Minnesota. pp. 158–360: The men to be appointed over these jurisdictions were to be selected from among the existing Koli Sardars (men of influence), whom this official characterized both as having " acquired rank and substance.
  10. www.thesardarco.com. "What is a Sardar?". The Sardar Co. Retrieved 2020-04-03.
  11. Sayre, Woodrow Wilson (1964). Four Against Everest. Englewood Cliffs, NJ, USA: Prentice-Hall. Library of Congress Catalog Card No: 64-15208 223.
  12. Sayre, Woodrow Wilson (1964). Four Against Everest. Englewood Cliffs, NJ, USA: Prentice-Hall. p. 223. Library of Congress Catalog Card No: 64-15208.
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