Mantri
Mantri is a word of Sanskrit origin, used in Asian cultures with a Hindu tradition (even those that later adopted Buddhism or Islam). It is used for a variety of public offices, from fairly humble to ministerial in rank. The term also forms part of a number of compounds. It is the root of the westernised word Mandarin, for a bureaucrat of the Chinese empire.
These are just a few examples of the use of this root in various political systems
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Indian/Nepali tradition
India
- in Satara, where the Peshwa (formally First Minister) took over political power from the nominal Monarch : Mantri was used as synonymous Sanskrit version of Waqnis (Fourth Minister)
Nepal
- Mantri: Minister of State
- Pradhan Mantri: Prime Minister (compare Pradhan)
Malay world
Malaysia
- in various constitutive sultanates, also in compounds
Brunei
Mentri (or Mantri): ministerial rank below vizier.
Indonesia
- in Bululeng Mantri occurred (rank unclear)
- in Deli the title of Tengku Perdana Mantri was created 1st February 1923 for Y.A.M. Tengku Harun al-Rashid ibni al-Marhum Sultan Ma'amun al-Rashid Perkasa 'Alam Shah, eldest brother of the Crown Prince (Sultan the next year) and Wakil of Bedagai 1932
- in Kutai, Perdana-mantri was the first great Officer of state, or Chief Minister
- in Sambas, Radin Mantri was a highl stles for princes of the blood, e.g. borne by H.H. Sri Paduka al-Sultan Tuanku 'Abu Bakar Taj ud-din I [al-Marhum Janggut] ibni al-Marhum Sultan 'Umar Akam ud-din, future Sultan of Sambas, before his accession on the death of his father, 1790
Indochina
In the Khmer monarchy of Cambodja, a Sanskrit title was often corrupted; e.g. Udarma Mantri to Udom Montrey
Sources and references
Categories
Executive ministers