Havaldar

A havildar or havaldar (Hindi: हविलदार (Devanagari) حوِلدار (Perso-Arabic)) is a rank in the Indian and Pakistani armies, equivalent to a sergeant. It is not used in cavalry units, where the equivalent is daffadar. Like a British sergeant, a havildar wears three rank chevrons.

Historically, a havildar was a senior commander, being in charge of a fort during the times of the Mughal Empire and later Maratha Empire. It was used as the equivalent of a sergeant in the British Raj, which has led to its current usage.

Havildar is a Persian word in origin and means "person in charge", or more loosely "chief", from the Arabic حواله (“charge”, "responsibility") and the Persian دار (dâr, “holder”).

Havildars could be further appointed to positions of higher authority. However, these ranks are currently not in active use.

The company quartermaster havildar (CQMH), equivalent to a company quartermaster sergeant, assisted the quartermaster in managing the company stores. The insignia was three chevrons with an Ashoka lion emblem above.

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