Kiladar was a title for the governor of a fort or large town in medieval India.[1] During the Maratha Empire, the title was commonly pronounced 'Killedar' (Marathi: किल्लेदार). The office of Kiladar had the same functions as that of a European feudal Castellan.[2]
Etymology
The title is composed of the Hindi word for fort "Kila", and the suffix "-dar", signifying an occupation. The military historian R.H.R. Smythies originally translated the term as "Custodian of the Fort".[3][4]
History
The position of Kiladar was used in the Hindu Maratha Empire as well as northern India. Most large settlements or strategic forts in the Maratha Empire had a Kiladar.[5]
However, while in northern India the autonomous position of Kiladar implied sovereignty, in the Maratha Empire the position was subordinate to the civil administration of a town.[5]
Ruling kiladars
In the case of Banganapalle, the Mughal-loyal kiladars (Shiites) ruled it as a princely state, which continued during the British raj, until and after 24 January 1876, when Fath `Ali Khan was granted the higher style Nawab.
See also
References
- ↑ Reports{{#if:Archaeological Survey of India|, Archaeological Survey of India}. Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing(1885)
- ↑ The story of my life{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. H. Milford, Oxford university press(1920)
- ↑ Historical records of the 40th (2nd Somersetshire) Regiment, now 1st Battalion the Prince of Wales's Volunteers (South Lancashire Regiment).: From its formation, in 1717 to 1893{{#if:Smythies|, Smythies}. Printed for the subscribers by A.H. Swiss(1894)
- ↑ General index to the reports of the Archaeological Survey of India, volumes I to XXIII{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Printed by the Superintendent of Government Printing(1887)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 History of the Marathas{{#if:Chaurasia|, Chaurasia}. Atlantic Publishers & Distributors(2004-01-01). ISBN 978-81-269-0394-8