Munshi, (Nastaleeq)) was the Hindi-Urdu name of a contractor, writer or secretary, used in Mughal Empire

Mughal Empire

The Mughal Empire ,‎ or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...

 and later British India of the native language teachers or secretaries employed by Europeans.

Since in British India Munshies were hired as clerks in the government, the word Munshi also became the name of profession. The Munshies worked as accountants and secretaries as well. The family name Munshi belongs to people whose families were in the profession of Munshi and hence were respected as literate people.

Today Munshi is also a degree in South Asia, that is given after passing a certain course for example basic reading, writing, and maths. The advanced degree was Munshi Fazil or Munshi Fadhil. Munshi is also a title that a graduate of Munshi course is allowed to attach to his name.

Abdul Karim

Abdul Karim (the Munshi)

Hafiz Mohammed Abdul Karim CIE, CVO , known as "the Munshi", was an Indian Muslim attendant of Queen Victoria. He served her during the final fifteen years of her reign, gaining her affection over that time....

, known as "The Munshi" was an especially valued and respected Indian servant of Queen Victoria.

Etymology

Munshi (Persian منشی) is a Persian

Persian language

Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...

 word and it was given as an honorary title to a person who has achieved a mastery over languages, especially in British India. It became a surname to those people whose ancestors had received this title. In modern Persian this word is also used to address clerks and secretaries, so they also use it as their surname.

See also

• Premchand
• Kanhaiyalal Maneklal Munshi
• Munshi Abdur Rouf
  Munshi Abdur Rouf
  Munshi Abdur Rouf was a Lance Nayek in East Pakistan Rifles during the Bangladesh Liberation War. He enrolled in the East Bengal Regiment on 8 May 1963, and was attached with a regular infantry unit during War of Liberation...
  
  
• Abdullah bin Abdul Kadir
  Abdullah bin Abdul Kadir
  Abdullah bin Abdul Kadir , also known as Munshi Abdullah, was a Malayan writer of Indian origin. He was a famous Malacca-born Indian munshi of Singapore and died in Jeddah, then part of the Ottoman Empire ....