sirdar

noun

sir·​dar ˈsər-ˌdär 

sər-ˈdär

variants or sardar

1

a

: a person of high rank (such as a hereditary noble) especially in India

b

: the commander of the Anglo-Egyptian army

2

: one (such as a foreman) holding a responsible position especially in India

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Kanchha, then 19 years old, saw the teams passing through Namche on their way to the mountain and noticed Tenzing Norgay, the charismatic sirdar (foreman) of the expeditions’ high-altitude porters. —Freddie Wilkinson, National Geographic, 17 June 2019

In 1992, Lakpa Rita was working his first season as a sirdar, or head Sherpa, for AAI. —Anna Callaghan, Outside Online, 16 May 2018

Word History

Etymology

Hindi & Urdu sardār, from Pers

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 1a