Mandal, also spelled Mondal , is an honorific title that was used for local chieftains in present-day Bangladesh, India and Nepal. The title was usually hereditary and so, in modern times, the term is a common surname for both males and females.

Meaning

The word "mandal" has various meanings depending upon the context, such as circle, orb, disc, ring, sphere, globe, orbit, province, assemblage or zone. A mandal was an administrative circle under a district or revenue division, similar to a tehsil, in many parts of South Asia. Originally this honorary title was given to the Administrator of provincial government. 'Mukhiya' or headman of a village was also conferred with this title. Sometimes this designation meant the person who as a representative of the Zamindar used to distribute land and also collect the revenue.

Class and community

For the upper classes in Bengal, family surnames date from the arrival of the British in the eighteenth century or earlier. Gregory Clark found Mandal as one of the common surnames among petitioners to the East India Company courts. Sudarshana Bhaumik noted Mandal was one of the titles among Aguri feudal lords. In some parts of Bengal, especially in Bankura, few Brahmins use Mondal surname. Lokeshwar Basu noticed Mandal surname among a section of Kayastha and Suvarna Banik. Mondal surname is commonly found among trading and peasant communities like Baishya Saha, Mahishya, Sadgop, Tili and some OBC castes. Mandal is also a Scheduled Castes surname, many from which has now become "social elite", according to Clark. It is also in vogue among Bengali Muslims and some Christians. In Bihar, Dhanuk, Gangota, Kurmi, Kushwaha and Yadav communities, and in Orissa some Karan use this surname.

Notable people

Families

Fictional characters