Hobson-Jobson: A Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases, and of Kindred Terms, Etymological, Historical, Geographical and Discursive c10.13114

c10.13114

SARBOJI, s. This is the name of some weapon used in the extreme south of India; but we have not been able to ascertain its character or etymology. We conjecture, however, that it may be the long lance or pike, 18 or 20 feet long, which is the characteristic and formidable weapon of the Marava Colleries (q.v.). See *Bp. Caldwell's H. of Tinnevelly, p. 103 and passim*; [*Stuart, Man. of Tinnevelly, 50*. This explanation is probably incorrect. Welsh (*Military Rem. i. 104*) defines *sarabogies* as "a species of park guns, for firing salutes at feasts, &c.; but not used in war." It has been suggested that the word is simply Hind. *sirbojha*, ‘a head-load,’ and Dr. Grierson writes: "‘Laden with a head’ may refer to a head carried home on a spear." Dr. Pope writes: "Sarboji is not found in any Dravidian dialect, as far as I know. It is a synonym for Sivaji. Sarva (*sarbo*)-ji is honorific. In the Tanjore Inscription it is Serfogi. In mythology Siva's name is ‘arrow,’ ‘spear,’ and ‘head-burthen,’ of course by metonomy." Mr. Brandt suggests Tam. *sěrŭ*, “war,” *bŭgei*, “a tube.” No weapon of the name appears in Mr. Egerton's *Hand-book of Indian Arms.*]