Anglo-Ind. Also 8 chubdar, chobedar, chopdar, 9 choabdar. [Pers. and Urdū chobdār, f. [Persian] staff.] In India, an usher or beadle attending on persons of consequence, who bears as his ensign of office a staff overlaid with silver; he is ‘still a part of the state of the Viceroy, Governors, and Judges of the High Courts’ (Col. Yule).
1701. in J. T. Wheeler, Madras in Olden Time (1861), I. 371 (Y.). He had sent four Chobdars and 25 men, as a safeguard.
1786. Burke, Art. W. Hastings, Wks. XI. 443. A person of the meanest station, called a Chubdar, at best answering to our common beadle or tipstaff.
1817. M. Wilks, Hist. Sk. S. India, II. xxxi. 545. The chôbdars and attendants were ordered.
