Pradhan
Encyclopedia
Pradhan is a high, generally ministerial, title of Sanskrit
origin in cultures of Hindu
tradition, mainly in and around the Indian subcontinent
. Pradhan literally means "Prime". The precise meaning(s) can differ significantly by state, and in many cases the style has been abandoned, as in many Indian princely state
s (mainly since the Mughal
era, often in favour of Muslim styles such as Diwan or Wasir). Meanings given in the Oxford Hindi-English Dictionary include 'chief' and 'leader'.
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
origin in cultures of Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
tradition, mainly in and around the Indian subcontinent
Indian subcontinent
The Indian subcontinent, also Indian Subcontinent, Indo-Pak Subcontinent or South Asian Subcontinent is a region of the Asian continent on the Indian tectonic plate from the Hindu Kush or Hindu Koh, Himalayas and including the Kuen Lun and Karakoram ranges, forming a land mass which extends...
. Pradhan literally means "Prime". The precise meaning(s) can differ significantly by state, and in many cases the style has been abandoned, as in many Indian princely state
Princely state
A Princely State was a nominally sovereign entitity of British rule in India that was not directly governed by the British, but rather by an Indian ruler under a form of indirect rule such as suzerainty or paramountcy.-British relationship with the Princely States:India under the British Raj ...
s (mainly since the Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
era, often in favour of Muslim styles such as Diwan or Wasir). Meanings given in the Oxford Hindi-English Dictionary include 'chief' and 'leader'.
Nepal
- Pradhan Mantri: Prime Minister (MantriMantriMantri is a word of Sanskrit origin , used in Asian cultures with a Hindu tradition . It is used for a variety of public offices, from fairly humble to ministerial in rank. The term also forms part of a number of compounds...
is the root of MandarinMandarin (bureaucrat)A mandarin was a bureaucrat in imperial China, and also in the monarchist days of Vietnam where the system of Imperial examinations and scholar-bureaucrats was adopted under Chinese influence.-History and use of the term:...
). - Pradhan SenadhipatiPradhan SenadhipatiPradhan Senadhipati is a supreme military rank of the Nepal military intended to be held solely by the King of Nepal. The rank outranks the Field Marshal rank of Pradhan Senapati and is considered to be a rank held by the Commander in Chief of Nepal...
: Chief of Staff (Senadhipati refers to an old Sanskrit style for military, also used in Nepal for Commander in Chief). - Pradhan SenapatiPradhan SenapatiPradhan Senapati, literally meaning "Chief General" but usually translated as "Chief of the Army Staff", is the title of the professional head of the Nepalese Army...
: "Grand GeneralGrand GeneralGrand General is a supreme military rank which is normally the accepted translation of:#The Indonesian rank Jenderal Besar#The Nepal military rank of Pradhan Senadhipati# The Chinese rank of Da Jiang...
", also translated as Chief of Staff.