Sardar, also spelled as Sardaar/Sirdar (
Persian: سردار, 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.
Amongst Sikhs, the term began to be adopted due to Afghan influence in the mid-18th century to signify a leader of a
Jatha or
Misl and gradually replaced other prior used terms for these positions, such as '
Jathedar' and 'Misldar'.[3] 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.
In
Himalayanmountaineering, a sirdar is a local leader of the
Sherpas.[4] Among other duties, he records the heights reached by each Sherpa, which factors into their compensation.
Princes
The
Kapurthala State, have been ruled by kings of state styled Sardar. For example, the king of
Kapurthala used the title of Sardar.[5]
Examples of regional use
In
Baluchistan, the title Sardar marked the chief of his tribe.
In the
Royal Afghan Kingdom, the original Nishan-i-Sardari (Order of the Leader), founded by
King Amanullah in 1923, 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.
In
Ottoman Turkey, Serdar was a rank in
Bosnia Eyalet with
Herzegovina Eyalet, later
Bosnia Vilayet, encompassing entire
Bosnia and Herzegovina, and parts of
Montenegro and
Serbia, as well as in other parts Ottoman Montenegro, Serbia, and other lands. Serdar was also used in the
Principality of Montenegro and the
Principality of Serbia as an honorary "title" below that of
Vojvoda. For example,
Janko Vukotić 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
Punjab, village chiefs, military commanders, and noble personalities were referred to as Sardars. The title is commonly used by both Muslims and Sikhs.
The early
feudalMaratha Empire prior to
Peshwa administration (1674–1749) used the title Sardar to identify an imperial court
minister with military and diplomatic functions. If granted land (jagir), the title Sardar also marked a
feudal superior responsible for administration, defense and taxing of the granted territory (equivalent to the European title
Count, from the French comte meaning the "companion" or delegate to the
Emperor that administered a
county). These Sardars of the early
Maratha Empire were
life peers; the title was not hereditary.
The title Sirdar was used by Englishmen to describe native noblemen in
British India (e.g., Sirdars of the
Deccan).
Aristocrats
In the
Hazara Division of Pakistan, the word Sardar is used by the
Karlal tribe, traditionally, to stress their upper-caste status.
In the small district of
Sudhanoti,
Kashmir, Sardar is used by the hybrid
Sudhan tribe. Also, Poonch families in this region use Sardar at the beginning of their names.
Similarly Sardar is used by
Khattar tribe noble men, native to the districts of
Attock and adjacent areas of
Rawalpindi.
Sardar was used for important political, tribal, military and religious officers rankings by the
Sikhs during the period of Maharaja
Ranjit Singh.
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.
Saparmurat Niyazov, the authoritarian ruler of
Turkmenistan in 1990–2006, carried a few glorifying titles, one of which was Serdar (“Leader”).[6]
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.
The title Serdar is also common amongst
Ottomans in referring to a Commander-in-Chief. The
Serbs adopted this usage from the Ottomans (e.g.
Serdar Janko Vukotić).
In Turkish, Serdar or Serdar-i-Ekrem was the title of the Commander-in-Chief in several military operations throughout the Ottoman Empire history.
During the time of
Maharaja Ranjit Singh, 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.[11]
Modern usage
The term Sardar is today used to refer to adult male followers of the religion of
Sikhism, as a disproportionate number of Sikhs have honorably served in many high-ranking positions within the
Indian Army. Notable examples include Generals
Joginder Jaswant Singh and
Harbaksh Singh.
In
Himalayanmountaineering, a Sirdar is the local leader of the
Sherpas and porters.[12] Among other duties, he records the heights reached by individual Sherpas, which dictates the amounts the Sherpas will be paid.
The title Sardar was granted to various writers and poets during Rana rule in Nepal
"Siridar" is a title of planetary rulers in Frank Herbert's
Dune. The
Padishah Emperor's elite troops are also called the Sardaukar.
Sardar is now used for leaders of a tribe in Pakistan, Afghanistan, India. Many communities and tribes in indian subcontinent, especially in
Punjab and
Kashmir, use this title, including
Dogar,
Jat,
Gujjar,
Tanoli,
Mughal and
Sikh.
^Cummings, Sally N. (2010). Symbolism and Power in Central Asia: Politics of the Spectacular. Milton, United Kingdom: Routledge. pp. 91–92.
ISBN978-0415575676.
^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.
ISBN978-81-7304-497-7.