• Source: Munshi

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.




Etymology


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.




Use by British


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. 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.




Kashmiri Surname


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.




Bengali Surname


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.




See also


Abdullah bin Abdul Kadir
Kanhaiyalal Maneklal Munshi
Munshi Abdur Rouf
Munshi Hakimuddin
Munshi Premchand
Mohan Lal Kashmiri
Aditi Munshi




References






External links

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Shayan Munshi
• Iskandar Beg Munshi
• Munshi Premchand
• Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi
• Chittor Vijay
• Zainon Munshi Sulaiman
• Sitara (film 1938)
• Abdullah bin Abdulkadir Munsyi
• Dil-Ki-Rani
• Benares
• Munshi
• Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi
• Shayan Munshi
• Munshi Ghat
• Premchand
• Abdul Karim (the Munshi)
• Munshi (TV series)
• Abdullah Abdul Kadir
• Tipu Munshi
• Shweta Munshi