Choudhury (variously spelt in different areas: Chaudhri, Chaudhari, Chaudhury, Chaudhary) a Sanskrit and Hindi term literally meaning 'a holder of four', the explanation of which is obscure. In some traditions the term is said to derive from a title for a military commander controlling four different fighting forces, namely navy, cavalry, infantry, and elephant corps. From Sanskrit čatus- ‘four-way’, ‘all-round’ + dhurīya ‘undertaking a burden (of responsibility)’ (Sanskrit dhura ‘burden’). The earliest references are from the 16th century. Choudhury (variously spelt in different areas: Chaudhri, Chaudhari, Chaudhury, Chaudhary) a Sanskrit and Hindi term literally meaning a holder of four, the explanation of which is obscure. ... The Sanskrit language ( , ) is a classical language of India, a liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, and one of the 22 official languages of India. ... Hindi (हिन्दी or हिंदी in DevanāgarÄ«; pronunciation: ), an Indo-European language spoken mainly in northern and central India, is one of the official languages of the Union government of India. ... (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ...

In some parts of India, a Choudhury was a headman of a village or headman of a profession or trade in town. In Cuttack, Choudhury was a revenue officer of a district. Choudhurys of Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana are mostly Jats and Gujjars. Under Ala ud din Khilji, a Choudhury was a revenue officer next to muqaddam. Cuttack (derived from the Sanskrit word Kataka, which signifies a military camp or a fort or a Government seat protected by an army) is one of the oldest cities in India and the Business Capital of Orissa. ... Punjab (Punjabi: ਪੰਜਾਬ/پنجاب, Hindi: पंजाब, IPA: / /) is a state in northwest India. ... Rājasthān (Devanāgarī: राजस्थान, IPA: ) is the largest state of the Republic of India in terms of area. ... Haryana (Hindi: , IPA: / /) is a state in north India. ... ... now. ... Ala-ud-din Khilji (Persian: علاء الدین خلجی ) (real name Juna Khan) (d. ...

During Mughal times there were three superior classes of landholders: Choudhury, zamindar and taluqdar. Choudhury in late Mughal times was taken as next to zamindar in rank though socially a Choudhury was considered superior to a zamindar. "Roy Choudhury" was used by zamindars of Bengal. The Mughal Empire (alternative spelling Mogul, which is the origin of the word Mogul) of India was founded by Babur in 1526, when he defeated Ibrahim Lodi, the last of the Delhi Sultans at the First Battle of Panipat. ... Zamindar, also known as Zamindari, or the Zamindari System (Persian: زمیندار) were employed by the Mughals to collect taxes from peasants. ... Taluqdar; a Sanskrit and Hindi word, also Arabic (taal-luk), meaning to hang or depend. ... Zamindar, also known as Zamindari, or the Zamindari System (Persian: زمیندار) were employed by the Mughals to collect taxes from peasants. ... Roy may refer to: // Places Roy, New Mexico, USA Roy, Utah, USA Roy, Washington, USA Fashion brand Roy (fashion house), Melbourne, Australia People Family name Arundhati Roy, an Indian novelist and peace activist Indra Lal Roy, an Indian flying ace of World War I M. N. Roy, an Indian-born...

Choudhurys are also a caste in Pakistan, the highest they are land owners.

See also

• Mansabdar
• Zamindar
• Desmukh
• Feudalism
• Gujjar