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{{for|the surname 'Kotwal' |Kotwal (surname)}}

'''Kotwals ''' also spelled as '''Cotwal''', was a title used in medieval [[India]] for the leader of a [[Kot (disambiguation)|Kot]] or [[fort]]. Kotwals often controlled the fort of a major town or an area of smaller towns on behalf of another ruler. It was similar in function to a British India [[Zaildar]]<ref name="Massy1890">{{cite book|last=Massy|first=Charles Francis|title=Chiefs and families of note in the Delhi, Jalandhar, Peshawar and Derajat divisions of the Panjab|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QPcYAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA417|access-date=29 May 2010|year=1890|publisher=Printed at the Pioneer Press|pages=407}}</ref> From [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] times the title was given to the local ruler of a large town and the surrounding area. However, the title is also used for leaders in small [[village]]s as well. Kotwal has also been translated as [[Chief police officer]].<ref name="Saudā(Major)1872">{{cite book|last1=Saudā|first1=Mirzā Muḥammad Rafiʻ|last2=(Major)|first2=Henry Court|title=Selections from the Kulliyat, or, Complete works of Mirza Rafi-oos-Sauda: being the parts appointed for the high proficiency examination in Oordoo|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vrpDAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA20|access-date=29 May 2010|year=1872|publisher=Printed by J. Elston, "Station Press,"|pages=20–}}</ref> The post of Kotwal was known since ancient times as Kota pala who was the chief of Police.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Shah|first=Giriraj|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0sHAmkBpUoIC|title=Image Makers: An Attitudinal Study of Indian Police|date=1993|publisher=Abhinav Publications|isbn=978-81-7017-295-6|pages=95|language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Faujdar]]
*[[Kiladar]]
*[[Castellan]]
== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:History of law enforcement in India]]

Kotwal - Revision history

UpdateBot at 23:08, 10 May 2022