A History of the Mahrattas v1.c9.36

v1.c9.36

⁶ [Silāh-dār (Sillidar) signifies ‘bearing arms,’ from Arabic silāh (‘arms’). Burton (Arabian Nights) states the word was applied to armour-bearers, who were chosen for their valour. The Anglo-Indian meaning denotes a soldier in a regiment of irregular cavalry, who provides his own arms and horse, and also regiments composed of such men. The system survives in the mounted branches of some of the Indian police forces, e.g. Bombay. See Yule, Hobson-Jobson, ed. Crooke, 1903, s.v. Silladar.]