Potdar

Potdar (Marathi: पोतदार) is a hereditary title and a surname native to the Indian state of Maharashtra. This surname is mainly found among the Deshastha Brahmin and Karhade Brahmin communities.[1][2][3][4] Potdar is part of Maratha revenue system, as well as the local administrative body in the state of Maharashtra.

Etymology

Potdar, derived from Persian Fotdar, literally means "purse bearar" or Treasurer. They were in charge of testing the genuineness weight of minted coins.[5] Along with Kulkarni, Joshi, Gurav, Lohar, Kumbhar, Parit, Nhavi, Sutar, Chambhar, Mahar and Mang, who came from different castes, the Potdar formed a part of Bara Balutedar system.[6]

Potdar as a title

The privilege of Potdari was granted by the Peshwa to a person who could advance a fixed sum of rupees to the government. The Potdar was to examine the coins used in of day-to-day transactions.[7] In exchange for their services, they were granted hereditary rights (Vatan) to a share in the village harvest.[8]

Notable people

References
  1. Amiya K. Samanta (1995). Terrorism in Bengal: Terrorists outside Bengal deriving inspiration from and having links with Bengal terrorists. Government of West Bengal. p. 967. Potdar, Govind Narayan, Deshastha Brahmin, residence Bombay City. Owns the Pioneer Alkaline Works at Parel.
  2. N.R.Phatak (1958). Source Material for a History of the Freedom Movement in India: 1885-1920. Printed at the Govt. Central Press. p. 532. Potdar is an Extremist and a protege of Dr. Moreshwar Gopal Deshmukh, M.D., B.Sc. He is a Deshastha Brahmin, resident of Akalkot, Sholapur District, and was educated at H. H., the Nizam's College, Hyderabad.
  3. Govind Chimnaji Bhate (1939). History of modern Marathi literature, 1800-1938. The author. p. 589. Datto Vaman Potdar comes from a Desasth Brahmin family hailing from Kolaba district. Dattu (the colloquial for Datto fuller name being Dattatraya) was born at Biravadi, taluka Mahad, district Kolaba in 1890.
  4. Robert Vane Russell (1916). The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India (Volumes I and II). Library of Alexandria. p. 500. ISBN 9781465582942. Potdar:—(A moneytester) Synonym and title of Sunar. A surname of Karhara Brahmans in Saugor.
  5. The Journal of the administrative sciences, vol. v. 24–25, Patna University. Institute of Public Administration, Patna University, 1979, p. 96
  6. Contemporary political leadership in India. Bakshi, S. R. (Shiri Ram), 1935-, Sharma, Sita Ram, 1932-, Gajrani, S. New Delhi: APH Pub. Corp. 1998. ISBN 9788176480079. OCLC 39986188.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  7. Mahajan, T. T. (1990). Maratha administration in the 18th century. New Delhi, India: Commonwealth Publishers. ISBN 9788171690817. OCLC 23609308.
  8. Fukazawa, H., 1972. Rural Servants in the 18th Century Maharashtrian Village—Demiurgic or Jajmani System?. Hitotsubashi journal of economics, 12(2), pp.14-40.
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