Chowdhury

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Chowdhury (variously spelt in different areas: Choudhury, Chaudhri, Chaudhari, Chaudhury, Chaudhary) a Sanskrit and Hindi term literally meaning 'a holder of four', the explanation of which is obscure. In some traditions the term is said to derive from a title for a military commander controlling four different fighting forces, namely navy, cavalry, infantry, and elephant corps. From Sanskrit čatus- ‘four-way’, ‘all-round’ + dhurīya ‘undertaking a burden (of responsibility)’ (Sanskrit dhura ‘burden’). The earliest references are from the 16th century.

In some parts of India, a Chowdhury was a headman of a state or headman of a profession or trade in town. In Cuttack, Chowdhury was a revenue officer of a district(vasooli). Chowdhurys of Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana are mostly Jats and Gujjars. Under Ala ud din Khilji.

During Mughal times the Chowdhury was the highest caste and of it were three superior classes of landholders: Chowdhury, zamindar and taluqdar. Chowdhury in late Mughal times was taken as next to zamindar in rank though socially a Chowdhury was considered superior to a zamindar. "Roy Chowdhury" was used by zamindars of Bengal.

Apart from north india, South Indian Chowdary's are different in ethnicity but the job is same. South Indian chowdary's are also landlords and a holder of four. Chowdary's from Andhra Pradesh are reffered as Kammas and from Tamil Nadu is reffered as Nayakar's.

Chowdhurys are also a caste in Pakistan, they are the highest caste (land lords). Pakistan has adopted the caste system right from its independence from India. Other high castes include Rajah.