Source : "SUPPLEMENTAL GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN THE NORTH WESTERN PROVINCES.PART III.REVENUE AND OFFICIAL TERMS."
Formerly Babu was used only as a title of respect; now, especially among Europeans, it is used also to designate a native clerk who writes English, such clerks being chiefly Bengalis,among whom the title of Babii has a wider acceptation than in Hindustan.
In Gorakhpur, the descendants of the younger brothers of the Sarnct Raja are called Babu, and there the term, still maintaining its original dignity, is applied generally to any man of family or influence. Crossing the Gogra into Benaudh, and Benares, we find it applied only to the younger brothers, or near
relatives of Rajas. Thus in Reg. VIII. of 1795, Sec. X., Babus are defined to mean "persons of the (Benares) Raja's blood and family." In the East, Babu is also applied to Mussalmans, as Babu Musharraf Ali Khan of Taluka Baz Bahadur in A'zamgarh.—E. add.
The term Babu is now very generally used by Europeans and natives alike, especially in Bengal and Behar, as a title of Zamindars and native gentlemen of wealth and position who have no other special title. The Zamindar of Madhuban in Pargana Mehsi of Champaran has the title of Rajkumar Babu," to indicate his descent from the family of the Rajas of Sheohar and Maharajas of Betiyii (Bettiah).
This title has been confirmed by Government; but in most cases the title of Babu also is assumed and conferred at the pleasure of the people themselves
Formerly Babu was used only as a title of respect; now, especially among Europeans, it is used also to designate a native clerk who writes English, such clerks being chiefly Bengalis,among whom the title of Babii has a wider acceptation than in Hindustan.
In Gorakhpur, the descendants of the younger brothers of the Sarnct Raja are called Babu, and there the term, still maintaining its original dignity, is applied generally to any man of family or influence. Crossing the Gogra into Benaudh, and Benares, we find it applied only to the younger brothers, or near
relatives of Rajas. Thus in Reg. VIII. of 1795, Sec. X., Babus are defined to mean "persons of the (Benares) Raja's blood and family." In the East, Babu is also applied to Mussalmans, as Babu Musharraf Ali Khan of Taluka Baz Bahadur in A'zamgarh.—E. add.
The term Babu is now very generally used by Europeans and natives alike, especially in Bengal and Behar, as a title of Zamindars and native gentlemen of wealth and position who have no other special title. The Zamindar of Madhuban in Pargana Mehsi of Champaran has the title of Rajkumar Babu," to indicate his descent from the family of the Rajas of Sheohar and Maharajas of Betiyii (Bettiah).
This title has been confirmed by Government; but in most cases the title of Babu also is assumed and conferred at the pleasure of the people themselves
