Sardar

Sardar is a term used as a title of leadership and as a personal name in South Asia and parts of the Middle East. It derives from Persian سردار (sardār), meaning "leader" or "commander," and has entered Urdu, Punjabi, and related languages. In everyday use, sardar is a respectful form of address for men, similar to "sir" or "chief," and in Sikh communities it is commonly used as an honorific for adult men, though it is not a formal religious title.

Historically, the word designated a commander or ruler and was used for military leaders, provincial governors, and notable figures in Persianate empires. In modern times, it remains a common given name or surname in Iran, Pakistan, and India, and it appears as part of compound titles or as an independent honorific in various contexts. The best-known figure associated with the name is Sardar Patel, popularly called "Sardar," Vallabhbhai Patel (1875–1950), a key leader in the Indian independence movement and a principal architect of India's political integration.

The term’s broad usage means it can refer to an individual person informally or to a class of leaders without implying a specific office. It is related to, but distinct from, other regional honorifics that denote rank, service, or authority.