What is "inamdar"

Inamdar may refer to:

• Inamdar (feudal title)
• Inamdar (surname)

Inamdar is an Indian surname derived from the feudal title Inamdar, which was held by feudal landholders. The surname is found primarily in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat and occurs amongst Hindus, Muslims, and various castes. Major Inamdar families are from the district of Gadag, Belgaum, Ahmednagar, Bijapur, Pune, Kolhapur.

Inamdar was a feudal title prevalent during British Raj and even before, that is, during rules of Peshwa and other rulers of India. The title was bestowed upon to the person who received in grant or as gift (Inam) the lands for the extraordinary service rendered to the ruler or the country or the kingdom.

Later, the British enacted several laws which defined rights and obligations of Inamdar in their territories, like the Madras Inams Act VIII of 1869. Even there was separate post of Inam Commissioner to look after revenue and records of Inam lands. Accounts and papers of the House of Commons

By Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons There were certain Inam lands which were known as Pargana Watan Inam Lands. After independence of India, several acts were enacted in different regions to abolish rights of Inmadar and as such the Inam lands they received in grant. Name of such few acts are The Bombay Personal Inams Ablolition Act (XLII of 1953), The Bombay Pargana and Kukarni Watans (Abolition) Act, 1950, The Karnataka (Religious & Charitable Institutions) Inams Abolition Act, 1955, The Karnataka (Personal and Miscellaneous) Inams Abolition Act, 1977. The Karnataka Certain Inams Abolition Act, 1977, The Hyderabad Abolition of Inams Act, 1955, Madras Inam Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1963, etc.

However, although the Inamdari system of holdings and Inam lands were abolished along with the feudal title of Inamdar. But the persons or families adopted the Inamdar as surname, to maintain their unique hereditary social identity.