Desai

The word is derived from the Sanskrit deśa (country) and svāmī (lord).^[3]

Desai was a title given to lords, and others who were granted a village or group of villages in Maharashtra, and North Karnataka. The title Desai should not be associated with a particular religion or caste, though a Desai would use the title of Rao or Rai or Raje as a suffix to his name denoting he is a king of those villages, The "Desai" title was given by Maratha emperors, Mughal emperors and by the Deccan sultanates.^[4]

• In Maharashtra, the title Desai is conferred to feudal lords and village council members. Most of them are either Gaud Saraswat Brahmins,^[5] Deshastha Brahmins,^[6] Karhade Brahmins, Prabhus (CKP- Davane Prabhus and Pathare Prabhus), Lingayats, Patidars and Marathas.^[7][8]

• Desais were the rulers of Kudal (Sindhudurg) in Maharashtra.^[9][10][11]

• Desai, or a loftier compound, was a rare title for rulers of a few princely states, notably - Raja Sar Desai in the Maratha Savantvadi State from 1627 until the adoption of "Raja Bahadur" in 1763.

• Desai Shri in Patdi (the former Viramgam State), in Eastern Kathiawar, where Desai was also the name of the ruling family, which belongs to the Desai clan of Kadwa Patidar.

• In Gujarat, Desai is honoured to Anavil Brahmin, Khedaval Brahimins, Vaishnav Vanik and Rabari and Patidars caste people. The title was also given to feudal lords and revenue collectors^[12]

Desai as a surname is used by Gaud Saraswat Brahmin, Deshastha Brahmin,^[13] Karhade Brahmin,^[14] Marathas, Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu, Pathare Prabhu, Panchkalshi, Anavil Brahmin, Khedaval Brahmin,^[15] Rabari,^[16] Leva Patel,^[17] Patidar,^[18] and Jain communities of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Lingayat communities of Karnataka.^[19]

Notable people with the surname Desai include:

• Maratha titles
• Indian honorifics
• Indian feudalism