Sarkar
/sərˈkɑːr/noun
A government or governing authority, especially in South Asian usage.
Did you know?In South Asian languages, Sarkar can mean not only the government but also a master, ruler, or respected authority figure.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ker-
“A root associated with the head or upper part, reflected in ancient Indo-European head-words.”
Old Persian / Middle Persian
Persian
sar
“Head, chief, or top.”
Middle Persian
Persian
kār
“Work, affairs, or activity.”
Medieval Persian
Persian
sarkār
“The head of affairs; an authority or governing office.”
Medieval–Modern South Asia
Hindi/Urdu
sarkār
“Government, ruler, master, or official authority.”
19th Century–Modern English
English
sarkar
“A government or governing authority, particularly in South Asian contexts.”