zamindar

or ze·min·dar

[ zuh-meen-dahr ]

noun

1. (in British India) a landlord required to pay a land tax to the government.
2. (in Mogul India) a collector of farm revenue, who paid a fixed sum on the district assigned to him.

zamindar

/ zəmiːnˈdɑː /

noun

1. (in India) the owner of an agricultural estate

Word History and Origins

Origin of zamindar¹

1675–85; < Hindi < Persian zamīndār landholder, equivalent to zamīn earth, land + -dār holding, holder

Word History and Origins

Origin of zamindar¹

via Hindi from Persian: landholder, from zamīn land + -dār holder

Example Sentences

If the offer of the zamindar was not deemed satisfactory, another contractor was substituted in his place.

From Project Gutenberg

The zamindar himself is a creation of the Mahommedans, unknown to the early Hindu system.

From Project Gutenberg

The zamindar was conspicuous and useful; the village community and the cultivating ryot did not force themselves into notice.

From Project Gutenberg

The same English prejudice which made a landlord of the zamindar could recognize nothing but a tenant-at-will in the ryot.

From Project Gutenberg

And then thou didst come upon us like a swift breath, and the zamindar hath not escaped the edge of the sword.

From Project Gutenberg