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Diwan (india)





ETYMOLOGY

The title diwan is derived from the name of a particular sofa-like piece of sitting furniture known as a ''divan'', which is the common shape of Throne s in the Indian subcontinent, either a Hindu ''Gadi'' or a Muslim 'Musnaid'.


TITLE

During the effective rule of the Mughal Empire the ''diwan'' served as the chief revenue officer of a province.

Later, when most vassal states gained various degrees of self-determination, the finance - and/or chief minister of many Princely State s (especially Muslim, but also many Hindu, including Baroda , Hyderabad , Kochi , Mysore , Travancore -there to 1811 styled Dalawa) became known as a ''diwan''.

Exceptionally, a ruler was himself titled Dewan, notably

Nowadays, it is used amongst certain upper-middle-class families in the Indian Subcontinent ; several landlords in villages and provinces across the subcontinent have names prefixed with this title.


DERIVED AND COMPOUND TITLES

Diwan Deo was the hereditary title borne by the Chief Minister of Cooch , held by a junior branch of the ruling Naraya n dynasty


ABSTRACT USE

The term ''Diwani'' is sometimes used to refer to British Sovereignty or Suzerainty over India, either just before or during the British Raj .


SOURCES AND REFERENCES

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