Bahadúr

Bahadur is a word of Persian origin meaning brave. In Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, and related languages, it is used as a given name, a surname, and as an honorific. The term appears in South Asian history and culture as a mark of bravery and has been applied to people, places, and titles over time.

As a title or epithet, Bahadur has appeared in royal and military contexts. It is often prefixed to names, as in Bahadur Shah, and is notably associated with Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor of India (1775–1862). During the British Raj, the term also entered official honorifics such as Khan Bahadur and Sardar Bahadur, awarded to individuals for distinguished service.

In contemporary use, Bahadur remains a common masculine given name and surname in India, Pakistan, Nepal, and among diaspora communities. It can occur as a standalone name or as part of compound names, and is sometimes used as a middle element in longer names without implying any specific rank or title.

Notable examples include Bahadur Shah Zafar, who ruled during a pivotal period of Indian history, and the continued use of Bahadur in personal names and as a cultural emblem of bravery. The term also appears in literary and popular contexts, reflecting its enduring association with valor and recognition.

See also: Khan Bahadur; Sardar Bahadur.