Thakur (Indian title)
Encyclopedia
Thakur is an Indian feudal title in several Indian languages, literally meaning "lord". A Thikana is the state or (more often) estate of a Thakur. A Thakurani is the wife of a Thakur. The big Jamindars of old times used Thakur as their title or surname.
Thakore Sahib was the feudal title used by Rulers of many Princely States in India. Simliary, Thakurani title was used by their wives or spouse. This title was used by Rulers of Princely States of Ambliara, Limbdi
Malia, Sayala, Bhavnagar
, Lakhtar, Manadar, Dhrol
, Rajkot, Virpur
, Sathamba
, Morbi, Varsoda
, Vala, Gad Boriad, Gadhka, Gabat, Rajpur
, Gondal, Pal, Kotda Sangani, Shahpur
, Kotharia
, Lodhika Senior, Lodhika Junior, Gavridad, Rajpara, Jaola, Dundlod
, Ghanerao
, Tana, Kotharia
, etc.
In Rajasthan
The title Thakur is usually adopted by Kshatriya
Rajput
s and Jats of Bharatpur,Dholpur etc.
In Bihar
However, the Bhumihar Brahmin
s in Bihar
occasionally also style themselves as Thakur. Many Bhumihar Brahmin
s belong to the Saryupareen Brahmin division of Kanyakubja Brahmins. In Maharashtra and Goa, there are Thakur families belonging to the Kudaldeshkar Gaud Saraswat Brahmin caste.
In Bihar
some OBC castes have the surname Thakur.
Thakur ji is also a name of Hindu Gods in Bihari language.
In Pakistan
In Pakistan
, the Thakur title is used by Muslim
Rajput
tribes in Sindh
province, especially in Tharparkar District
.
In Bengal
There is a separate article on Thakur Bengali Surname here
In Bengali
Thakur can be a surname known as Tagore
, a title of respect for any Brahmin
or for someone of high spiritual esteem.
Thakur is also the word for God in Bengali
.
Ramakrishna
, a 19th century mystic of Bengal is also addressed as Thakur by his followers.
) for the hereditary ruler of a princely state
usually born of Rajput
clan bloodlines, particularly in western India.
Thakur is the usual rendition of "Thakore" 'Thakar' in northern and central parts of India.
The Bengali form Tāgore
is a derived surname.
s ('Sir Lord') was loftier, and indeed used till their accession to independent India by the rulers of four salute state
s (the official elite amongst the British Crown's Indian 'vassals'; no 'simple' Thakore included), be it only of the lowest class in British India, 'merely' 9-guns, the only one that didn't qualify them for the predicate 'His Highness' (all four in the western state of Gujarat):
Curiously, both elements were maintained in the full style of the Maharaja of Morvi
(11 guns, so HH; originally held as primogeniture by the Heir of the Maharaja of Cutch, independent after a coup there in 1697-98), Maharaja Thakar Shri (personal name) Sahib Bahadur, while neither term was used for other members of his dynasty; last incumbent since 1926 Thakur Sahib Maharaja
In the following salute states, a higher title was assumed before India's independence:
The following Non-salute states have been ruled by a Thakar sahib or Thakur sahib till India's independence (list probably incomplete):
Other Thakore sahibs (junior branches and/or later promoted to higher ruler styles) were those in Amod
, Gogha, in Gondar
, in Kharia
(in Jaisalmer
), in Kerwada and Khadal, in Khirasra, in Kotda-Sangani, in Lakhtar, in Mahlog, in Malia
, in Mansa
, in Mengni (in Rajkot), in Muliby, in Ranapur
, in Ranpur
, in Sejakpur, in Vala
, in Vanod (now in Gujarat), in Virpur
.
Thakur Shri (with the politically meaningless suffix S(h) ri) was used in the following Non-salute states:
, Bhattacharya etc. in its anglicized version is often written as Tāgore
, the term "Thakore" was not used. Rather, Madampi
, Eshmanan
and Thirumukom
were used. These titles were often affixed to people of the highest ranking Nair
subcastes like Pillai
, Nayanar
, Nambiar
and Unnithan
who were feudal landlords or jenmi
s.
Thakore Sahib was the feudal title used by Rulers of many Princely States in India. Simliary, Thakurani title was used by their wives or spouse. This title was used by Rulers of Princely States of Ambliara, Limbdi
Limbdi
Limbdi is a city and a municipality in Surendranagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat.Limbdi has a proud place in women's education. It is home to Lady Wellingdon Girls School, now Municipal school number 3. This school was established in Limbdi on 1 March 1859 when India had hardly any...
Malia, Sayala, Bhavnagar
Bhavnagar
-Topography:Bhavnagar is a coastal city in the eastern coast of Saurashtra, also known as Kathiawar, located at . It has an average elevation of 24 metres . It occupies area of 53.30 km². General slope dips in the northeasterly direction at the apex of Gulf of Khambhat...
, Lakhtar, Manadar, Dhrol
Dhrol
Dhrol is a city and a municipality in Jamnagar district in the state of Gujarat, India.-History:Jadeja dynasty ruled over the Saurastra since 450 years above,the Hardhrolji and Jamravalji came from the Kutch. They spread huge Jadeja state in Saurastra. Dhrol was the second class state in...
, Rajkot, Virpur
Virpur
Virpur is a small town with a municipality, located 53 km off Rajkot in Gujarat state, India. It is famous as a birth place of saint Jalaram Bapa, an ardent follower of a Hindu deity Lord Rama, the seventh Avatar of Vishnu...
, Sathamba
Sathamba
-At glance:Title:SathambaType:VillageCoordinates: 23°9'26"N 73°19'4"E Relative location: Sathamba, Taluka: Bayad, District: Sabarkantha, Gujarat State, IndiaPopulation: 15000 approx.Religions: Hindu -At glance:Title:SathambaType:VillageCoordinates: 23°9'26"N 73°19'4"E Relative location:...
, Morbi, Varsoda
Varsoda
Varsoda is a small village located in northern part of Gujarat, India on the bank of the Sabarmati River. It is approximately 25 km away from Gandhinagar, the state capital of Gujarat.-History:...
, Vala, Gad Boriad, Gadhka, Gabat, Rajpur
Rajpur, Baroda
Rajpur, Baroda is an Indian princely state located on the bank of river Mahisagar. The late. H.H. Thakur Saheb Shree Mansinhji Fatehsinhji was the last thakur saheb of Rajpur. The history of the Rajput royal family is associated with lord Jaladhar Mahadevaji....
, Gondal, Pal, Kotda Sangani, Shahpur
Shahpur, Gujarat
Shahpur is a city and a notified area in Ahmedabad district in the Indian state of Gujarat.This village is in Ahmedabad District....
, Kotharia
Kotharia
Kotharia is present town in Rajkot district of Gujarat, which was a small princely state off-shoot of the Rajkot state in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, part of the Bombay Presidency during British Raj ....
, Lodhika Senior, Lodhika Junior, Gavridad, Rajpara, Jaola, Dundlod
Dundlod
Dundlod is a town in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan in India. It is situated in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. It is famous for its fort and havelis. It extends between latitude 28°.06’ in the north and longitude 75°.20’ in the east...
, Ghanerao
Ghanerao
Ghanerao is a village in Desuri tehsil of Pali district of Rajasthan.The village is located on the Sadri-Desuri road State Highway 16. Due to its proximity to Kumbhalgarh fort, Ranakpur Jain temple and Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, it is an important place in tourism. There are many Hindu and...
, Tana, Kotharia
Kotharia
Kotharia is present town in Rajkot district of Gujarat, which was a small princely state off-shoot of the Rajkot state in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, part of the Bombay Presidency during British Raj ....
, etc.
In RajasthanRajasthanRājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
The title Thakur is usually adopted by KshatriyaKshatriya
*For the Bollywood film of the same name see Kshatriya Kshatriya or Kashtriya, meaning warrior, is one of the four varnas in Hinduism...
Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
s and Jats of Bharatpur,Dholpur etc.
In BiharBiharBihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
However, the Bhumihar BrahminBhumihar
Bhumihar or Babhan or Bhuin-har is a Brahmin Hindu community mainly found in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh.- Varna status :...
s in Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
occasionally also style themselves as Thakur. Many Bhumihar Brahmin
Bhumihar
Bhumihar or Babhan or Bhuin-har is a Brahmin Hindu community mainly found in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh.- Varna status :...
s belong to the Saryupareen Brahmin division of Kanyakubja Brahmins. In Maharashtra and Goa, there are Thakur families belonging to the Kudaldeshkar Gaud Saraswat Brahmin caste.
In Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
some OBC castes have the surname Thakur.
Thakur ji is also a name of Hindu Gods in Bihari language.
In PakistanPakistanPakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
In PakistanPakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, the Thakur title is used by Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
tribes in Sindh
Sindh
Sindh historically referred to as Ba'ab-ul-Islam , is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhi people. It is also locally known as the "Mehran". Though Muslims form the largest religious group in Sindh, a good number of Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus can...
province, especially in Tharparkar District
Tharparkar District
Tharparkar District is one of twenty three districts of Sindh province in Pakistan. It is headquarters is at Mithi. It has the lowest Human Development Index of all districts in Sindh.-Demography:...
.
In BengalBengalBengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
There is a separate article on Thakur Bengali Surname hereThakur (Bengali surname)
Thakur is a Bengali surname derived from "Thakurmashai" or ‘holy sir’ for any Bengali Brahmins and also for someone of high spiritual esteem. The surname was given out of respect for any Brahmin family earlier who used to hold a different title like Kushari,Bhattacharya etc...
In Bengali
Bengali language
Bengali or Bangla is an eastern Indo-Aryan language. It is native to the region of eastern South Asia known as Bengal, which comprises present day Bangladesh, the Indian state of West Bengal, and parts of the Indian states of Tripura and Assam. It is written with the Bengali script...
Thakur can be a surname known as Tagore
Tagore
Tagore is the name of a prominent Bengali family of intellectuals, writers and artists, generally known as the Tagore family.People - Jorasanko branch of the Tagore family...
, a title of respect for any Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
or for someone of high spiritual esteem.
Thakur is also the word for God in Bengali
Bengali language
Bengali or Bangla is an eastern Indo-Aryan language. It is native to the region of eastern South Asia known as Bengal, which comprises present day Bangladesh, the Indian state of West Bengal, and parts of the Indian states of Tripura and Assam. It is written with the Bengali script...
.
Ramakrishna
Ramakrishna
Ramakrishna , born Gadadhar Chattopadhyay , was a famous mystic of 19th-century India. His religious school of thought led to the formation of the Ramakrishna Mission by his chief disciple Swami Vivekananda – both were influential figures in the Bengali Renaissance as well as the Hindu...
, a 19th century mystic of Bengal is also addressed as Thakur by his followers.
Princely ruler titles
Since feudal times Thakur, meaning "Lord," was the Hindi title (below RajaRaja
Raja is an Indian term for a monarch, or princely ruler of the Kshatriya varna...
) for the hereditary ruler of a 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 ...
usually born of Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
clan bloodlines, particularly in western India.
Thakur is the usual rendition of "Thakore" 'Thakar' in northern and central parts of India.
The Bengali form Tāgore
Tagore family
The Tagore family, with over three hundred years of history, has been one of the leading families of Kolkata, and is regarded as a key influence during the Bengal Renaissance...
is a derived surname.
Nominal Thakores
The following non-salute states (and probably several others) were ruled by a Thakur, in some cases, later promoted to a higher rank (confusing, but sources don't always specify whether this is done on a personal basis or actually a permanent upgrading of the state's status):- Belsan; since 1858 RanaRana (title)Rana is a Princely title of Royalty in Sanskrit. Rana is used by the Jats and Rajput of South Asia. The name is usually interpreted to mean "Prince".Compound titles Rana Sahib, Rana Bahadur, and Maharana.-Royal title in India:...
- Baraundha Pathar Kachhar; since 1908 RajaRajaRaja is an Indian term for a monarch, or princely ruler of the Kshatriya varna...
- Bija, India
- JiliyaJiliyaJiliya is a place in Nagaur District of Rajasthan. It was a Princely Thikana in British India. It is developing as a tourist spot to explore the natural scenic beauty of Rajasthan. The majority of the population is involved in agricultural and trade activities...
- JadawataJadawataJadawata / Jaravata / Jadavata / Jarawata ' is located near Dudu and Narena in Jaipur District of the State of Rajasthan in India.-History:...
- KawardhaKawardhaKawardha is a city and a municipality in Kabirdham district in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. It is the administrative headquarters of Kabirdham district. Kawardha is also known for the "Temple of Bhoramdeo."-Geography:...
- Khaneti
- Baset
- KharsawanKharsawanKharsawan is a city and a notified area in Seraikela Kharsawan district in the Indian state of Jharkhand.-History:Kharsawan or Kharsuan was one of the Oriya speaking Princely states of India during the period of the British Raj, and was acceded to India after India gained independence. Earlier...
(till 1857 an estate) - KuniharKuniharKunihar is a valley situated between the mountains in the Solan district, which is also known as "Hatkot" and "Choti Vilayat." It was named "Kunihar" by Rajiv Gandhi, when he found a small valley, surrounded by a small river in shape of garland so he named it "Kunihar" during his visit.-Location...
- TodaTodaToda can refer to:People:*Hiroshi Toda, Japanese mathematician*Morikazu Toda, Japanese physicist*Keiko Toda, Japanese actress*Erika Toda, Japanese actress*Naho Toda, Japanese actress*Toda Seigen, swordsman*Toda Katsushige, daimyo...
Torawati - MahlogMahlogMahlog or Mailog was a princely state of India. In 1940 it had a population of 8,631 and an area of . The capital city was Patta.In 1948 Mahlog was merged into the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh....
=Mahilog - MaiharMaiharMaihar is a city and a municipality in Satna district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Maihar is known for the temple of revered mother goddess Sharda situated on Trikuta hill of Maihar.- Origin :...
; since 1869 Raja. - Panch Mahal MarothPanch Mahal Maroth-Etymological Meaning:Panch in Hindi means five; and Mahal means a palace; thus the term 'Panch Mahal Maroth' refers to Five Palaces of Maroth.-Maroth:...
- SangriSangriSangri may refer to:*Sangri County, county in Tibet*Sangri , village in Tibet*The pod of the tree Prosopis cineraria is known as Sangari in Rajasthani language....
; since 1887 Rai - Tharoch; since 1929 Rana
- Wadagam
Compound titles
Thakar SahibSahib
Sahib is an Urdu term which literally translates to "Owner" or "Proprietor". The primary Arabic meaning of Sahib is "associate, companion, comrade, friend" though it also includes "Sahib is an Urdu term which literally translates to "Owner" or "Proprietor". The primary Arabic meaning of Sahib...
s ('Sir Lord') was loftier, and indeed used till their accession to independent India by the rulers of four salute state
Salute state
A Salute state was a princely state in India during the time of British rule which had been granted a gun salute by the British Crown ; i.e., the protocollary privilege for its ruler to be greeted - originally by Royal Navy ships, later also on land - with a number of gun shots, as recognition of...
s (the official elite amongst the British Crown's Indian 'vassals'; no 'simple' Thakore included), be it only of the lowest class in British India, 'merely' 9-guns, the only one that didn't qualify them for the predicate 'His Highness' (all four in the western state of Gujarat):
- DhrolDhrolDhrol is a city and a municipality in Jamnagar district in the state of Gujarat, India.-History:Jadeja dynasty ruled over the Saurastra since 450 years above,the Hardhrolji and Jamravalji came from the Kutch. They spread huge Jadeja state in Saurastra. Dhrol was the second class state in...
- LimbdiLimbdiLimbdi is a city and a municipality in Surendranagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat.Limbdi has a proud place in women's education. It is home to Lady Wellingdon Girls School, now Municipal school number 3. This school was established in Limbdi on 1 March 1859 when India had hardly any...
- PalitanaPalitanaPalitana is a city in Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, India. It is located 50 km southwest of Bhavnagar city and is a major pilgrimage centre for Jains.-History:...
- Rajkot
Curiously, both elements were maintained in the full style of the Maharaja of Morvi
Morvi
Morvi or Morbi is a city and a municipality in Rajkot district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It was a Princely State ruled by Jadeja clan of Rajputs until Indian independence in 1947. It is situated on the Kathiawar peninsula. , the city's population was determined to be 73,327. Its chief...
(11 guns, so HH; originally held as primogeniture by the Heir of the Maharaja of Cutch, independent after a coup there in 1697-98), Maharaja Thakar Shri (personal name) Sahib Bahadur, while neither term was used for other members of his dynasty; last incumbent since 1926 Thakur Sahib Maharaja
In the following salute states, a higher title was assumed before India's independence:
- BhavnagarBhavnagar-Topography:Bhavnagar is a coastal city in the eastern coast of Saurashtra, also known as Kathiawar, located at . It has an average elevation of 24 metres . It occupies area of 53.30 km². General slope dips in the northeasterly direction at the apex of Gulf of Khambhat...
(in Gujarat; preceded by the states Sejakpur, Umrala and SihorSihorSihor is an ancient, historical medium sized town, a municipality in Bhavnagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat. Placed along the river Gautami, this erstwhile capital of the Gohil Rajputs, surrounded by hills is situated about 20 km from Bhavnagar...
till the 1722 founding of the eponymous capital; promoted Maharaja Rao in 1918)
The following Non-salute states have been ruled by a Thakar sahib or Thakur sahib till India's independence (list probably incomplete):
- Ambliara
- Bhadarwa
- JambughodaJambughodaJambughoda is a Wildlife Sanctuary situated in Gujarat, India. Jambughoda is 70 Km from Vadodara and 20 Km from prominent tourist places Pawagadh and Champaner.Places of interest around Jambughoda:* Champaner - UNESCO - World Heritage site...
- Khirasra (founded as by a scion of DhrolDhrolDhrol is a city and a municipality in Jamnagar district in the state of Gujarat, India.-History:Jadeja dynasty ruled over the Saurastra since 450 years above,the Hardhrolji and Jamravalji came from the Kutch. They spread huge Jadeja state in Saurastra. Dhrol was the second class state in...
, see above; originally styled just Thakur) - Lakhtar
- ValaValaVala can refer to:Caste* Vala, a Rajput clan found in Gujarat in IndiaPeople* Numonius Vala, a Roman family name, or any of the men of that name* Vala , an Indo-Aryan name and surnameFiction...
(Vallabhipur) - WadhwanWadhwanWadhwan is a city and a municipality in Surendranagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat.-Demographics: India census, Wadhwan had a population of 61,739. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Wadhwan has an average literacy rate of 71%, higher than the national average of...
.
Other Thakore sahibs (junior branches and/or later promoted to higher ruler styles) were those in Amod
Amod, Gujarat
Amod is a town and capital of a taluka in Bharuch district, Gujarat, India. It is situated about a mile south of the Dhadhar River, some 30 miles south-west of Vadodara and 24 miles north of Bharuch, on the NH 228 road between Bharuch and Jambusar.Amod was the seat of a Thakore...
, Gogha, in Gondar
Gondar
Gondar or Gonder is a city in Ethiopia, which was once the old imperial capital and capital of the historic Begemder Province. As a result, the old province of Begemder is sometimes referred to as Gondar...
, in Kharia
Kharia
The Kharia are a tribal people living in Jharkhand and Orissa states, India. In the late 20th century, the population of Kharia people were around 300,000....
(in Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer
Jaysalmer , nicknamed "The Golden City", is a town in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is located west from the state capital Jaipur. It was once known as Jaisalmer state. The town stands on a ridge of yellowish sandstone, crowned by a fort, which contains the palace and several ornate Jain...
), in Kerwada and Khadal, in Khirasra, in Kotda-Sangani, in Lakhtar, in Mahlog, in Malia
Malia
Malia could refer to:Places* Malia, Cyprus, a village in Limassol district of southern Cyprus* Malia, Crete, a town on the north coast of Crete, in Greece* Malia Vgethi, a volcano in the northeast Peloponnese, near the village of Kameni Chora, Greece...
, in Mansa
Mansa
Mansa is a Mandinka word meaning "king of kings". It is particularly associated with the Keita Dynasty of the Mali Empire, which dominated West Africa from the thirteenth to the fifthteenth century...
, in Mengni (in Rajkot), in Muliby, in Ranapur
Ranapur
Ranapur is a town and a nagar panchayat in Jhabua district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.-Geography:Ranapur is located at . It has an average elevation of 370 metres .-Demographics:...
, in Ranpur
Ranpur
Ranpur is town located on the bank of river Bhadar. Ranpur is 112 km from Ahmedabad, India.It has population of around 25,000, containing both Muslims and Hindus. Ranpur is also known for its "unity" between community...
, in Sejakpur, in Vala
Vala
Vala can refer to:Caste* Vala, a Rajput clan found in Gujarat in IndiaPeople* Numonius Vala, a Roman family name, or any of the men of that name* Vala , an Indo-Aryan name and surnameFiction...
, in Vanod (now in Gujarat), in Virpur
Virpur
Virpur is a small town with a municipality, located 53 km off Rajkot in Gujarat state, India. It is famous as a birth place of saint Jalaram Bapa, an ardent follower of a Hindu deity Lord Rama, the seventh Avatar of Vishnu...
.
Thakur Shri (with the politically meaningless suffix S(h) ri) was used in the following Non-salute states:
- Chuda
- Gondal
- Ranasan (title till 1914 just Thakur)
Bengali Surname
Thakur is a derived surname out of respect for any Brahmin family earlier who used to hold a different title (surname) like KushariTagore family
The Tagore family, with over three hundred years of history, has been one of the leading families of Kolkata, and is regarded as a key influence during the Bengal Renaissance...
, Bhattacharya etc. in its anglicized version is often written as Tāgore
Tagore family
The Tagore family, with over three hundred years of history, has been one of the leading families of Kolkata, and is regarded as a key influence during the Bengal Renaissance...
Other uses
- Thakur is not a caste or religion, Thakur is an identity and the word is placed before name by the rich peoples in the villages like landlords, having high control on the village peoples in terms of doing justice for their own society. They are Kshtriya and claim to be descendants from good kshtriya family like Gurjara-Pratihara, Kushan Empire in the northwest. the word has come from the blessings of the farmers to their land owners because of which they are able to feed up there family and childrens. So for them land owners are like God to them, so they used the term 'Thakur' for them i.e.under whose control.
- As a formal title Thakur was also (in fact far more often) used for a non-ruling nobleman, either with an estate (compare jagirdar, zamindarZamindarA Zamindar or zemindar , was an aristocrat, typically hereditary, who held enormous tracts of land and ruled over and taxed the bhikaaris who lived on batavaslam. Over time, they took princely and royal titles such as Maharaja , Raja , Nawab , and Mirza , Chowdhury , among others...
) or merely honorary. - In JodhpurJodhpurJodhpur , is the second largest city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is located west from the state capital, Jaipur and from the city of Ajmer. It was formerly the seat of a princely state of the same name, the capital of the kingdom known as Marwar...
(in Rajasthan), until the reign of Maharaja Umaid Singhji, the title of Maharaj (not Maharaja!) was inheritable by all legitimate males, in the male line, for three generations, since then for seven generations, in conformity with Rajput marriage customs. Their sons are styled RajkumarRajkumarRajkumar , born as Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju was a popular actor and singer in the Kannada film industry...
during their father's lifetime, and Maharaj afterwards. The eighth generation and beyond, inherit (a bit like a British courtesy title for younger brothers of a peer's heir, also generally at least one rank lower in the peerage; but not linked to an individual estate. - In Tripura, members of the royal family were known as Thakurs.
Equivalents
In KeralaKerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, the term "Thakore" was not used. Rather, Madampi
Madampi (Nair title)
Madampi is an aristocratic title given to the uppermost subdivisions of Nairs in Kerala, by the Maharajahs of Travancore and Cochin. Usually, it was given in addition to the Pillai title. Madampis served as Jenmis or landlords during the pre-independence era...
, Eshmanan
Eshmanan
Eshmanan corruption of Yajamaana is a term used in Kerala to refer to an individual of high social standing. The term means "lord" in Old Malayalam and referred to Chemb azhi nambi or Nambiars, Unnithans and other Samanthan Nair caste members who occupied the position of rulers and chieftains...
and Thirumukom
Thirumukom
Thirumukom meaning respected or sacred face, was a form of address used by common people while referring to their king in Kerala state, South India. The term was also used in the ritual of Thirumukom Pidikukka, which was the main part of the ceremony of bestowing the title of Pillai on the Nairs of...
were used. These titles were often affixed to people of the highest ranking Nair
Nair
Nair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
subcastes like Pillai
Pillai (community)
Pillai is a Tamil speaking community from the Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. They are a landowning upper caste, feudal community.-Origin of Vellalar:...
, Nayanar
Nayanar (Nair subcaste)
Nayanar is an honorific title used among certain clans of Nairs in the North Malabar region of Kerala. Men of these clans were mainly chiefs of fiefdoms, and formed the aristocracy and landed gentry of the area.-Etymology:...
, Nambiar
Nambiar (Nair subcaste)
Nambiār, alternatively spelled Nambiyār -the royal family - is a honorific title dignifying certain endogamous royal clans in the North Malabar region, defined as north of the Korapuzha river, of Kerala...
and Unnithan
Unnithan
Unnithan is the modern form of the older title of Thankal . Unnithans were among the highest of the Nair aristocracy in the Travancore region of the Indian state of Kerala. Unnithan ladies of the Edassery Pattaveettil family were often married by the Rajahs or princes of the royal families such...
who were feudal landlords or jenmi
Jenmi
Jenmi is the term used to refer to the landlords of the Nair and Namboothiris castes from Kerala. In the past the majority, if not all the land was owned by these Jenmimar , and it was not unusual for an aristocratic family to own up to of land...
s.
See also
- Forward Castes
- Origin of Togore FamilyTagore familyThe Tagore family, with over three hundred years of history, has been one of the leading families of Kolkata, and is regarded as a key influence during the Bengal Renaissance...
- SholaySholaySholay is a 1975 Indian action-adventure film produced by G.P. Sippy and directed by his son Ramesh Sippy. It is considered among the greatest films in the history of Indian cinema. Released on 15 August 1975, it stars Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Sanjeev Kumar, Jaya Bhaduri and...