Mantri

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Mantri is a word of Sanskrit origin, used in Asian cultures with a Hindu tradition (even those that later adopted Buddhism or Islam). It is used for a variety of public offices, from fairly humble to ministerial in rank. The term also forms part of a number of compounds. It is the root of the westernised word Mandarin, for a bureaucrat of the Chinese empire.

These are just a few examples of the use of this root in various political systems

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[edit] Indian/Nepali tradition

[edit] India

  • in Satara, where the Peshwa (formally First Minister) took over political power from the nominal Monarch : Mantri was used as synonymous Sanskrit version of Waqnis (Fourth Minister)
  • It is used synonymously with Minister in many Indian languages

[edit] Nepal

  • Mantri: Minister of State
  • Pradhan Mantri: Prime Minister (compare Pradhan)

[edit] South East Asia

[edit] Malaysia

  • in various constitutive sultanates, also in compounds

[edit] Brunei

Mentri (or Mantri): ministerial rank below vizier.

[edit] Indonesia

  • in Bululeng Mantri occurred (rank unclear)
  • in Deli the title of Tengku Perdana Mantri was created 1st February 1923 for Y.A.M. Tengku Harun al-Rashid ibni al-Marhum Sultan Ma'amun al-Rashid Perkasa 'Alam Shah, eldest brother of the Crown Prince (Sultan the next year) and Wakil of Bedagai 1932
  • in Kutai, Perdana-mantri was the first great Officer of state, or Chief Minister
  • in Sambas, Radin Mantri was a highl stles for princes of the blood, e.g. borne by H.H. Sri Paduka al-Sultan Tuanku 'Abu Bakar Taj ud-din I [al-Marhum Janggut] ibni al-Marhum Sultan 'Umar Akam ud-din, future Sultan of Sambas, before his accession on the death of his father, 1790
  • in Yogyakarta and Surakarta palaces - the term is part of administrative titles for positions within the palaces and places that they control.

[edit] Cambodia

In Cambodia, the Sanskrit title was often corrupted; e.g. Udarma Mantri to Udom Montrey

[edit] Sources and references