Pradhan

Pradhan (Devanagari: प्रधान) is a ministerial title used in regions of Hindu cultural tradition that equates to the more popular term Vizier in rank and function. The Sanskrit pradhan translates to "major" or "prime"; however, the more modern Hindi definitions provided by the Oxford Hindi-English Dictionary also include "chief" and "leader". The precise interpretation can differ significantly by region. The style was abandoned by many Indian princely states during the Mughal era in favor of Persian styles such as Wasir and Diwan.

Pradhan is commonly employed as a high-caste family name by lineages belonging to the Chatharīya (or Kshatriya) caste of the Newāh/Newār (Newar: नेवा:) community of Kathmandu Valley and is also currently used by the Kshatriya and Kayastha people of northern and western India. It is a surname used by Khandayat, Bhanayat (or Kshatriya) of eastern Indian state of Odisha.

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