‖ chobdar Anglo-Ind.
(ˈtʃəʊbdɑː(r))
Also 8 chubdar, chobedar, chopdar, 9 choabdar.
[Pers. and Urdū chobdār, f. chob staff.]
In India, an usher or beadle attending on persons of consequence, who bears as his ensign of office a staff overlaid with silver; he is ‘still a part of the state of the Viceroy, Governors, and Judges of the High Courts’ (Col. Yule).
| 1701 in Wheeler Madras in Old T. (1861) I. 371 (Y.) He had sent four Chobdars and 25 men, as a safeguard. 1786 Burke Art. W. Hastings Wks. XI. 443 A person of the meanest station, called a Chubdar, at best answering to our common beadle or tipstaff. 1810–17 M. Wilks Hist. Sk. S. India (ed. 2) II. xxxi. 110 The Chobdars and attendants were ordered. |