| Sowar | |
|---|---|
| سوار | |
| Country | Delhi Sultanate Deccan Sultanates Mughal Empire Maratha Empire British Raj India Pakistan |
| Branch | Cavalry |
| Equipment | Composite bow,Talwar,Spear, andMusket |
Sowar (Urdu:سوار, alsosawar orsiwar meaning "the one who rides" or "rider", fromPersiansawār, from theSasanidPersianAswār, from theAchaemenidPersianAsabāra)[1] was originally a rank during theMughal Empire. Later, during theBritish Raj, it was the name inAnglo-Indian usage for a horse-soldier belonging to thecavalry troops of the native armies ofBritish India and the feudal states. It is also used more specifically of a mounted orderly, escort or guard. It was also the rank held by ordinary cavalry troopers, equivalent tosepoy in theinfantry — this rank has been inherited by the modern armies ofIndia andPakistan. The rank higher isActing Lance Daffadar.
An image from theCarnatic Wars features a Sowar armed with a musket.[citation needed]
Sowar has been used as the name of a line of wrist-watches by the SwissWest End Watch Co.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Sowar".Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.