subadar

[ soo-buh-dahr ]

/ ˌsu bəˈdɑr /

a provincial governor of the Mogul empire.

the chief native officer of a company of native troops in the British Indian Service.

Origin of subadar

1665–75; < Urdu < Persian, equivalent to ṣūba province + dār holding, holder

The subadar major stuck to Lieutenant Cassells, and it is to him the lieutenant owes his life.

The Story of the Malakand Field Force |Sir Winston S. Churchill
Then spoke up a subadar of the Pioneers, a tall Sikh with his beard curled like the ancient Assyrians.

Leaves from a Field Note-Book |J. H. Morgan
The subadar in command of this advance guard fell dead, and a non-commissioned officer and a sipahee severely wounded.

A Journey through the Kingdom of Oude, Volumes I & II |William Sleeman
Looked as if the bloomin' hontray was with the Subadar, but the Hadendowas 'as the honour to hinvite sweet William!

Donovan Pasha And Some People Of Egypt, Complete |Gilbert Parker

I called him Subadar Sahib; just as well to be on the safe side, y'know.

Soldiers Three |Rudyard Kipling

subadar

/ (ˈsuːbəˌdɑː) /

(formerly) the chief native officer of a company of Indian soldiers in the British service Also called: subah

C17: via Urdu from Persian, from sūba province + -dār holding