Chowdhury (surname)

Chowdhury is a surname and title originating in the Indian subcontinent. It is also alternatively spelled as Chaudhry, Chawdhury, Chowdary, Chaudhury, Choudhury, Choudhry, Chaudhuri, Choudhuri, Chaudhary, Chaudry, Chaudri or Choudhary. A historic female variant is Chowdhurani.

Meaning and significance

According to one theory, the name is an ancient Sanskrit title denoting the head of a community or caste. It is the amalgamation of the terms "Chow" (four-way) and "Dhuriya" (burden of responsibility). Chowdhurys were the heads of villages and landed estates. The Rajput kings and later some Mughal emperors conferred the title to local chiefs and officers of eminence, including zamindars and jagirdars. Women were conferred the title "Chowdhurani" (Lady Chowdhury). In India & Pakistan land owner castes like Ahirs,Gujjars and Jats were granted this title.

Similar lordships existed in other parts of the Eastern world, including in the Ottoman Empire (Malik) and Persia (Arbab).