Pandit (surname)

Pandit (also spelled as Pandita or Pandith) is an Indian and Nepalese Brahmin surname. When prefixed to a name, it denotes a scholar, for example, Pandita Ramabai or Pandit Nehru. A Hindu priest is also respectfully called Pandit ji.

It is also a Kashmiri clan or surname used by both Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims,[1] native to the Kashmir Valley in Jammu and Kashmir, India.[1]

  1. ^ a b Multiple sources:
    • Brower & Johnston 2016, p. 130: "Sheikh: local converts, subdivided into numerous subgroups. Most largely retain their family names, or patronyms (kram), indicating their original profession, locality or community-such as Khar (carpenter), Pampori (a place), Butt and Pandit (Brahmin), Dar (kshatriya)-but with increasing Islamization, some have dropped these"
    • Ahmad, Khalid Bashir (June 23, 2017). Kashmir: Exposing the Myth Behind the Narrative. SAGE Publishing. ISBN 9789386062819. Retrieved April 5, 2023. One would come across among Muslims of Kashmir any number of surnames that are equally common among the Pandits. Among these are Bhat, Raina, Nath, Langoo, Malla, Bazaz, Saraf, Munshi, Watal, Wali, Khar, Shangloo, Nehru, Gagar, Kharoo, Aga, Jalali, Peer, Pandit, Parimoo and Mattoo.
    • Lawrence, Sir Walter Roper (2005). The Valley of Kashmir. Asian Educational Services. p. 304. ISBN 978-81-206-1630-1. Among the leading Krams may be mentioned the following names:— Tikku, Razdan, Kak, Munshi, Mathu, Kachru, Pandit, Sapru, Bhan, Zitshu, Raina, Dar, Fotadar, Madan, Thusu, Wangnu, Muju, Hokhu, and Dulu.
    • Pandit, Bansi. Explore Kashmiri Pandits. Dharma Publications. p. 101. ISBN 9780963479860. Retrieved 2010-12-02.
    • Dhar, Nazir Ahmad (2002). "Social Distribution of Linguistic Variants in Kashmiri Speech". Bulletin of the Deccan College Research Institute. 62/63: 46. ISSN 0045-9801. JSTOR 42930603. The surnames like Bhat, Pandit, Munshi, Dhar, Dar, Handoo, Kakroo, etc. characterize aboriginal affinity
    • Clements, William M.; Green, Thomas A. (2006). The Greenwood Encyclopedia of World Folklore and Folklife: Southeast Asia and India, Central and East Asia, Middle East. Greenwood Press. p. 60. ISBN 978-0-313-32849-7. A variety of Hindu surnames such as Dar, Bhatt, Handoo, Kachru, Kichlu, Matoo and Pandit persist in Muslim families.
    • Raina, Mohini Qasba (November 13, 2014). Kashur The Kashmiri Speaking People: Analytical Perspective. Partridge Singapore. p. 55. ISBN 9781482899450. Retrieved April 5, 2023. Among the leading Krams may be mentioned the following names: Tikku, Razdan, Kak, Munshi, Mathu, Kachru, Pandit, Sipru, Bhan, Zitshu, Raina, Dhar, Fotadar, Madan, Thusu, Wangnu, Muju, Hokhu, and Dulu. Of these the members of the Dhar family have probably been the most influential.
    • Kaul, Upendra (September 4, 2020). "My name is Khan, and I'm Kaul". Greater Kashmir. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2023. It is hard to believe that surnames – Peer, Wali or Khan, are common Hindu surnames. At the same time a Muslim carrying his last name as Rishi or Pandit…… sounds incredible, but it is a common feature in Kashmir.
    • Anwar, Tarique; Bhat, Rajesh (February 23, 2008). "Kashmiryat in Kashmiri surnames". Two Circles. Archived from the original on February 26, 2008. Retrieved May 2, 2023. Ever heard a Hindu by the surname Peer, Wali or Khan? Or imagine a Muslim carrying his last name as Rishi or Pandit…… Sounds incredible but it is a common feature in Kashmir, where unlike in other parts of the country, Muslims and Hindus have been sharing the same surnames since ages.
    • Sharma, Dhruv Dev (2005). Panorama of Indian Anthroponomy: An Historical, Socio-Cultural and Linguistic Analysis of Indian Personal Names. Mittal Publication. ISBN 9788183240789. Retrieved May 5, 2023. In Kashmiri, the 'Pandit' surname is attested with Muslims as well, e.g. Mohd Shafi Pandit, Charman J & K Public Service Commission.