Chapter BUNGALOW to BURKUNDAUZE of B by The Hobson Jobson Dictionary

claim to be of partly European descent, and is used in the same sense as ‘halfcaste’ and ‘Eurasian’ in India Proper. [In its higher sense it is still used by the Boers of the Transvaal.]

1807.—“The greater part of them were admitted by the Dutch to all the privileges of citizens under the denomination of Burghers.”—Cordiner, Desc. of Ceylon.

1877.—“About 60 years ago the Burghers of Ceylon occupied a position similar to that of the Eurasians of India at the present moment.”—Calcutta Review, cxvii. 180-1.

b. n.p People of the Nilgherry Hills, properly Badagas, or ‘Northerners.’ —See under BADEGA.

c. s. A rafter, H. barga.

BURKUNDAUZE, s. An armed retainer; an armed policeman, or other armed unmounted employé of a civil department; from Ar.-P. barkandaz, ‘lightning-darter,’ a word of the same class as jan-baz, &c. [Also see BUXERRY.]

1726.—“2000 men on foot, called Bircandes, and 2000 pioneers to make the road, called Bieldars (see BILDAR).”— Valentijn, iv. Suratte, 276.

1793.—“Capt. Welsh has succeeded in driving the Bengal Berkendosses out of Assam.”—Cornwallis, ii. 207.

1794.—“Notice is hereby given that persons desirous of sending escorts of burkundazes or other armed men, with merchandise, are to apply for passports.”— In Seton-Karr, ii. 139.

[1832.—“The whole line of march is guarded in each procession by burkhandhars (matchlock men), who fire singly, at intervals, on the way.”—Mrs Meer Hassan Ali, i. 87.]