Chapter NAGA to NAIK of N by The Hobson Jobson Dictionary

Madura (1559–1741) and other places (c). But its common Anglo-Indian application is to the non-commissioned officer of Sepoys who corresponds to a corporal, and wears the double chevron of that rank (d).

(a)—

c. 1538.—“Mandou tambem hu Nayque com vinti Abescins, que nos veio guardando dos ladrões.”—Pinto, ch. iv.

1548.—“With these four captains there are 12 naiques, who receive as follows—to wit, for 7 naiques who have 37 pardaos and 1 tanga a year…11,160 reis. For Cidi naique, who has 30 pardaos, 4 tangas…and Madguar naique the same…and Salgy naique 24 pardaos a year, and two nafares [Ar. nafar, ‘servant’] who have 8 vintens a month, equal to 12 pardaos 4 tangas a year.”—S. Botelho, Tombo, 215.

1553.—“To guard against these he established some people of the same island of the Canarese Gentoos with their Naiques, who are the captains of the footmen and of the horsemen.”—Barros, Dec. II. Liv. v. cap. 4.

c. 1565.—“Occorse l’anno 1565, se mi ricordo bene, che il Naic cioè il Signore della Città li mandi a domandami certi caualli Arabi.”—C. Federici, in Ramusio, iii. 391.

c. 1610.—“Ie priay donc ce capitaine…qu’il me fit bailler vne almadie ou basteau auec des mariniers et vn Naique pour truchement.”—Mocquet, 289.

1646.—“Il s’appelle Naique, qui signifie Capitaine, doutant que c’est vn Capitaine du Roy du Narzingue.”—Barretto, Rel. du Prov. d Malabar, 255.

(b)—

1598.—“The Kings of Decam also have a custome when they will honour a man or recompense [recompence] their service done, and rayse him to dignitie and honour. They give him the title of Naygue, which signifieth a Capitaine.”—Linschoten, 51 ; [Hak. Soc. i. 173].

1673.—“The Prime Nobility have the title of Naiks or Naigs.”—Fryer, 162.

c. 1704.—“Hydur Sáhib, the son of Muhammad Ilias, at the invitation of the Ministers of the Polygar of Mysore, proceeded to that country, and was entertained by them in their service…he also received from them the honourable title of Naik, a term which in the Hindu dialect signifies an officer or commander of foot soldiers.”—H. of Hydur Naik, p. 7. This was the uncle of the famous Haidar Naik or Hyder Ali Khan.

(c)—

1604.—“Maduré ; corte del Naygue Señor destas terras.”—Guerrero, Relacion, 101.

1616.—“…and that orders should be given for issuing a proclamation at Negapatam that no one was to trade at Tevenapatam, Porto Novo, or other port belonging to the Naique of Ginja or the King of Massulapatam.”—Bocarro, 619.

1646.—“Le Naique de Maduré, à qui appartient la coste de la pescherie, a la pesche d’vn jour par semaine pour son tribut.”—Barretto, 248.

c. 1665.—“Il y a plusieurs Naiques au Sud de Saint-Thomé, qui sont Souverains : Le Naique de Madure en est un.”—Thevenot, v. 317.

1672.—“The greatest Lords and Naiks of this kingdom (Carnataca) who are subject to the Crown of Velour…namely Vitipa naik of Madura, the King’s Cuspidore- (see CUSPADORE) bearer…and Cristapa naik of Chengier, the King’s Betel-holder…the naik of Tanjower the King’s Shield-bearer.”—Baldaeus (Germ.), p. 153.

1809.—“All I could learn was that it was built by a Naig of the place.”—Ld. Valentia, i. 398.

(d)—

[c. 1610.—“These men are hired, whether Indians or Christians, and are called Naicles.”—Pyrard de Laval, Hak. Soc. ii. 42.]

1787.—“A Troop of Native Cavalry on the present Establishment consists of 1 European subaltern, 1 European sergeant, 1 Subidar, 3 Jemidars, 4 Havildars, 4 Naigues, 1 Trumpeter 1 Farrier, and 68 Privates.”—Regns. for H. Co.’s Troops on the Coast of Coromandel, &c., 6.

1834.—“…they went gallantly on till every one was shot down except the one naik, who continued hacking at the gate with his axe…at last a shot from above…passed through his body. He fell, but in dying hurled his axe against the enemy.”—Mrs. Mackenzie, Storms and Sunshine of a Soldier’s Life, i. 37–38.

We may add as a special sense that in West India Naik is applied to the head-man of a hamlet (Kuri) or camp (Tanda) of Brinjarries (q.v.). [Bhangi and Jhangi Na iks, the famous Banjara leaders, are said to have had 180,000 bullocks in their camp. See Berar Gazetteer, 196.]

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