Kiladar

Qiladar (Urdu: قلعہ‌دار) was a title for the governor of a fort or large town in early modern India. During the Maratha Empire, the title was commonly pronounced 'Killedar' (Marathi: किल्लेदार). The office of Qiladar had the same functions as that of a European feudal Castellan.

Etymology
The title is composed of the Urdu word for fort "Qila", and the suffix "-dar", signifying an occupation. The military historian R.H.R. Smythies originally translated the term as "Custodian of the Fort".

History
The position of Qiladar was used in the Hindu Maratha Empire as well as northern India. Most large settlements or strategic forts in the Maratha Empire had a Qiladar.

However, while in northern India the autonomous position of Qiladar implied sovereignty, in the Maratha Empire the position was subordinate to the civil administration of a town.

Ruling kiladars
In the case of Banganapalle, the Mughal-loyal qiladars ruled it as a princely state, which continued during the British Raj, until and after 24 January 1876, when Fath `Ali Khan was granted the higher style Nawab.

Sources and external links

 * WorldStatesmen - India -Princely States A-J