bakshi

Bakshi is a surname and occupational title of Persian origin that is common in the Indian subcontinent and among South Asian diaspora communities. In historical records, the term bakhshi (or bakshi) referred to an official responsible for payroll, revenue distribution, and other administrative duties in Mughal and other Persianate administrations. The word comes from the Persian root bakhsh, meaning to grant or allocate; the suffix -i indicates a related role or status. Over time, bakshi evolved into a hereditary surname in various communities, particularly among Punjabis, Kashmiris, and other Muslim and Hindu populations in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The spelling varies; Bakshi, Bakhshi, and Bakhshi are common transliterations, reflecting regional pronunciation and colonial-era anglicization. In modern times, the name is found among people with diverse occupations and is not tied to a single profession.

The surname also appears in diaspora contexts, where individuals bearing the name have pursued careers in business, academia, the arts, and other fields. It remains most closely associated with South Asian heritage, but its bearers may be found worldwide.

Notable individuals with the surname include Anand Bakshi (1920–2002), an influential Indian film lyricist and poet whose work spanned several decades of Hindi cinema. The name is widely distributed across South Asia and among expatriate communities, reflecting historical administrative usage as well as contemporary family lineage.