Pandit
/ˈpæn.dɪt/noun
A Hindu scholar, especially one learned in Sanskrit, Hindu law, philosophy, or ritual.
Did you know?In the nineteenth century, British intelligence trained Indian surveyors called “pundits” to secretly map Tibet by counting their footsteps and hiding instruments inside prayer wheels and rosaries.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Sanskrit
Sanskrit
paṇḍita
“Learned, wise, or scholarly; a learned person”
Early Middle Indo-Aryan
Prakrit
paṇḍia
“A learned or scholarly person”
Medieval Indo-Aryan
Sanskrit/Hindi
paṇḍit
“A Hindu scholar, teacher, or religious authority”
16th–18th Century
Hindi and other South Asian languages
paṇḍit
“A learned Brahmin or specialist in Sanskrit, scripture, law, or ritual”
17th Century
Anglo-Indian English
pundit
“A Hindu scholar or native expert, adopted into English from South Asian usage”
19th Century
British English
pundit
“A trained Indian surveyor secretly mapping regions such as Tibet for British intelligence”
Modern English
English
pandit/pundit
“A Hindu scholar or, more broadly, an authoritative commentator or expert”