mantri

Mantri is a term with multiple uses in Indian languages. Etymology: It comes from Sanskrit mantri, meaning minister or counsellor. In many Indian languages, including Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Telugu, and Tamil, mantri denotes a government minister or a senior official.

Historically, a mantri was a royal adviser and administrator who helped the ruler manage state affairs, diplomacy, taxation, and governance. The position appeared in various Indian kingdoms and empires, and the term persists in historical records across regions.

In modern governance, the term remains in use to designate ministers at the state or central level. In everyday speech, a mantri refers to a cabinet minister, and the word is widely recognized in official and ceremonial contexts. The word also appears in compound titles and honorary forms.

Mantri is also used as a surname in India, notably among Kannada- and Marathi-speaking communities. Families bearing the name have contributed in business, academia, and public life.

In branding and commerce, Mantri appears in company and property names, reflecting the cultural resonance of the term. For example, Mantri Developers is a Bengaluru-based real estate group that uses the family name in its branding. See also minister; mantri (surname).