Khandakar (Bengali: খন্দকার, romanizedKhondokar, Also spelled Khondoker, Khandaker, Khandoker) is a Bengali Muslim surname found in Bangladesh and neighbouring regions.

Khandakar
PronunciationKhandakar
Language(s)Bengali
Origin
Word/namePersian
MeaningTeacher, scribe
Region of originBangladesh, East India
Other names
Alternative spellingKhondoker, Khondker, Khandaker, Khandoker, Khondaker, Khandoker

Etymology and history

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The Bengali surname comes from the Old Persian Khandan (Persian: خواندن, romanizedXwândan, lit.'To read') and the suffix kar (Persian: گار, romanizedGâr) which joins the root of the verb to mean the one who reads. The Bengali definition of the word is an instructor or teacher. The usage of Persian as an official language in Bengal was common during the rule of the Bengal Sultanate and the Mughal Empire. The Persians as well as members of the Turco-Persian tradition were a large immigrant community during both periods in which they integrated with the local Bengali community.[1] Many Persians in Bengal became teachers, lawyers, scholars and clerics.[2] These Persians merged with Bengalis to become Bengali Muslims.

Variations

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Variations of the surname Khandakar also remain very common. These include different English transliterations and regional pronunciations of the term. Different English spellings include: Khondker, Khandaker, Khondoker, Khondokar, Khondaker, Khondkar, Khondakar, Khandker, and Khandoker.

Individuals

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Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad
 
Khondkar Siddique-e-Rabbani
 
Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain
 
Khondakar Ashraf Hossain
 
Khondakar Shakib Al Hasan

Families

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Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain

Institutions

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Abdul Karim (2012). "Iranians, The". In Sirajul Islam and Ahmed A. Jamal (ed.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  2. ^ Abu Musa Mohammad Arif Billah (2012). "Persian". In Sirajul Islam and Ahmed A. Jamal (ed.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.