Thakur (title)

Thakur Lakhajirajsinhji II Bavajirajsinhji of Rajkot.

Thakur is a feudal title and it later became a surname used by a class of South Asian communities, the female variant is Thakurani, also the wife of a Thakur.

The word Thakur means lord, god or master, The title was used by rulers of several princely states including Ambliara, Vala, Morbi and Barsoda. Sons of Thakurs, were given the Sanskrit title of Kumara; popular usage being Kunwar in the North and Kumar in Bengal and South India denoting the prince.

In the zamindari system, Thakurs were landlords who used to collect revenue in their feudatory estate.

A Thakur's estate was called a Thakurate or Thikana, and was recognised at a salute state rank in the British Empire of India. The Thakore Sahib of Dhrol, Thakur Sahib of Limbdi,^[7] Thakur Sahib of Palitana and Thakur Sahib of Rajkot^[8] were recognised with hereditary 9-gun salutes, while the Thakur Sahib of Gondal received an 11-gun salute.

Etymology

It is derived from the Sanskrit word th?kura meaning deity, idol, chief or man of rank.^[9]^[10]

Princely states ruled by Thakurs

Thakurs

Thakur served as the title of many historical states,^[11] including: Beja State, Bija State, Chuda State, Dhadi State, Kachhi Baroda State, Kathiwada State, Kawarda State, Khirasra State, Kunihar State, Mahlog State, Mohanpur State, Ranasan State, Sanjeli State, Sayla State, vallabhpur State, Valasna State, Wadagam State.

In some states, the Thakur's title was later changed, notably:

to Raja in Kharsawan.
to Rai in Sangri State.
to first Raja and later Maharaja in Maihar State.
to (once) Maharawat, then Rao in Piploda State.

In Tharoch State, the ruler's title of Rana was changed to Thakur, before being reverted to Rana again later.

Compound variants

The title had loftier compound variants, notably:^[12]

Thakur Sahib, as in
- all salute states ruled by Thakurs : Dhrol State, Limbdi State, Palitana State (all Hereditary salutes of 9-guns); other salute states later recognized by a higher salute assumed the title of:
  - Maharaja in Bhavnagar State (Hereditary salutes of 13-guns, 15-guns local), and Gondal State (Hereditary salute of 11-guns)
  - Maharana in Wadhwan State (Hereditary salute of 9-guns).
- non-salute states Bhadrawa State, Jambughoda State, Lakhtar State, Lathi State, Rajkot State, Vallabhipura State; later assumed a higher rank, notably:
  - Rana in Balsan State
  - Raja in Baraundha Pathar Kachhar State; and see below
Thakur Sahib Maharaja, assumed instead of Thakur Sahib by the last ruler of Morvi State.
Thakur Shri Maan, notably in Ambliara State.