Munshi is a Persian word, originally used for a contractor, writer, or secretary, and later used in Mughal 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. [1]
Munshi (Persian : منشی) is a Persian word, derived from Arabic, that was the active participle of inshāʾ, or the composition of official documents. It came to be 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 royalty and are regarded as nobility. In modern Persian, this word is also used to address administrators, head of departments.
Administrators, head of departments, accountants, and secretaries hired by the government in British India were known as Munshies. The family name Munshi was adopted by families in South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh) whose ancestors were honoured with this title and were responsible for administering various offices etc. [2] and these families (selective) were and are regarded as nobility. Abdul Karim, known as "the Munshi", was a highly valued and respected Indian attendant of Queen Victoria. [3]
Munshi is used as a last name by Kashmiri Pandits, native to the Kashmir Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It was a title given to some groups of elite upper-caste Hindu Kashmiris for their mastery over the Persian language. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]
The surname "Munshi" (Bengali: মুন্সি) is commonly used by Bengali Hindus native to West Bengal, India. It originates from families who were historically appointed as Munshis or had inherited the title as an honorary distinction from their ancestors. [9]
Kak is a Kashmiri Pandit surname originating in the Kashmir Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Kashmiris are an Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group speaking the Kashmiri language and originating from the Kashmir Valley, which is today located in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.
Bakshi may refer to:
Sapru, also spelled as Sipru or Saproo is a Kashmiri Pandit clan and surname native to the Kashmir Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Mattoo, also spelled Mattu, is a Kashmiri Pandit clan and surname native to the Kashmir Valley in Jammu & Kashmir, India.
Haksar is a Kashmiri Pandit surname and clan. They are native to the Kashmir Valley within the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir and they have a long tradition of Indian administrative service based on fluency in a link language - Persian under the Mughals and English under the British. In light of this fact, the Haksar family historically became a prominent administrative family in other parts of India, namely in Indore and Gwalior.
Jalali is a Kashmiri surname. Notable people with the surname include:
Bhan is a Kashmiri Pandit clan and surname native to the Kashmir Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The Bhan Brahmin dynasty founded an erstwhile tribal hill state of Kashmir in the 10th century AD. It was ruled by the Bhan dynasty for two hundred years. Currently, all the territory of this state of Bhan is found in the Sudhanoti District of Azad Kashmir administered by Pakistan. Bhan, as a surname, is also used by Punjabi Saraswat Brahmins.
Razdan is a Kashmiri Pandit surname and clan that refers to the royal or aristocratic bloodline of old Kashmir, mostly attributed to the warriors of the Kashmir Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. They are Saraswat Brahmins from the Kashmir Valley, belonging to the larger community of Pancha-Gauda Brahmins, and are widely known for their allegiance to Lord Shiva.
Pandit or Pandita is a Kashmiri Pandit clan and surname, native to the Kashmir Valley in Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Gurtu or Gurtoo is a Kashmiri Pandit clan or surname, native to the Kashmir Valley in Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Wali is a Kashmiri surname. Notable people with the name include:
Bazaz is a Kashmiri Pandit clan and surname native to the Kashmir Valley of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Tikoo, also spelt as Tickoo, Tikku, Tikhu or Ticku is a Kashmiri Pandit clan and surname native to the Kashmir Valley of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Thussu, also spelt as Thusu, Thusoo or Thussoo is a Kashmiri clan and surname native to the Kashmir Valley of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Thussu as a last-name is used by both Kashmiri Hindus and Kashmiri Muslims.
Parimoo or Parimu is a Kashmiri Pandit clan and surname native to the Kashmir Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is used by both Kashmiri Hindus and Kashmiri Muslims.
Ganjoo, also spelt as Ganju is a Kashmiri Pandit clan or surname, native to the Kashmir Valley in Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Saraf is a Kashmiri Pandit clan and surname native to the Kashmir Valley of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Drabu or Draboo is a Kashmiri Pandit clan or surname, native to the Kashmir Valley in Jammu and Kashmir, India. Drabu or Draboo as a last name is shared by both Hindus and Muslims in Kashmir.
Among the leading Krams may be mentioned the following names:— Tikku, Razdan, Kak, Munshi, Mathu, Kachru, Pandit, Sapru, Bhan, Zitshu, Raina, Dar, Fotadar, Madan, Thusu, Wangnu, Muju, Hokhu, and Dulu.
Meaning of surnames found on the Kashmiri Pandit tree: Bakaya, Sapru, Bakshi, Munshi, Wazir, Chalkbast, Bhan, Langar or Langroo, Wattal, Bazaz, Taimini, Mattu, Chak, Zalpuri, Khar, Hazari, Zutshi, Razdan, Tikhu, Kathju, sopori, Thussoo, Haksar, Raina, Waloo or Wali, Wantu/Wanchu, Gamkhwar, Kakh, Mushran, Sharga, Handoo, Gurtu, Kitchlu, and Ganjoo.
Similarly, Mirza, Dhar or Dar, Bhat, Akhoon, Chakoo, Durrani, Kachroo, Draboo, Kaloo, Kanna, Kaw, Khar, Khuda, Kitchloo, Munshi, Machama, Mirza, Padar, Parimoo and Raina are a few typical surnames that are used by both Hindus, and Muslims of Kashmir.
One would come across among Muslims of Kashmir any number of surnames that are equally common among the Pandits. Among these are Bhat, Raina, Nath, Langoo, Malla, Bazaz, Saraf, Munshi, Watal, Wali, Khar, Shangloo, Nehru, Gagar, Kharoo, Aga, Jalali, Peer, Pandit, Parimoo and Mattoo.
