Hobson-Jobson: A Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases, and of Kindred Terms, Etymological, Historical, Geographical and Discursive c10.9349

c10.9349

MEHTAR, s. A sweeper or scavenger. This name is usual in the Bengal Presidency, especially for the domestic servant of this class. The word is Pers. comp. *mihtar* (Lat. *major*), ‘a great personage,’ ‘a prince,’ and has been applied to the class in question in irony, or rather in consolation, as the domestic tailor is called *caleefa*. But the name has so completely adhered in this application, that all sense of either irony or consolation has perished; *mehtar* is a sweeper and nought else. His wife is the *Matranee*. It is not unusual to hear two *mehtars* hailing each other as *Mahārāj*! In Persia the menial application of the word seems to be different (see below). The same class of servant is usually called in W. India *bhangī* (see BUNGY), a name which in Upper India is applied to the caste generally and specially to those not in the service of Europeans. [Examples of the word used in the honorific sense will be found below.]