Desai (pronounced [d̪eːsaːi]) is an Indian administrative, princely or honorary title and surname.[1][dead link][2]
The word is derived from the Sanskrit deśa (country) and svāmī (lord).[3]
Desai was a title given to feudal 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]
Desai as a surname is used by Gaud Saraswat Brahmin, Jain,[13] Deshastha Brahmin,[14] Karhade Brahmin,[15] Marathas, Anavil Brahmin, Khedaval Brahmin, [16] Rabari,[17] Leva Patel,[18] Patidar,[19] Bania and Lingayat communities of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka.[20]
Notable individuals with the surname Desai include:
Hereditary rights of Karhades were those of Desai, district officer, or Deshmukh, and Sardesai, senior district officer.
The Karhade Brahman have their own clan deities like Khalnath, Jogeshwari, Bhavani. They celebrate various festivals like Diwali, Holi, Gudipadva, Ganesh Chaturthi, etc. They have surnames like Desai, Dhupkar, Prabhudesai, Bakhle...
Individuals with the Desai surname ( used both by some Patels as well ) have been included in this group for want of information on their precise caste affiliation.
Individuals with the Desai surname ( used both by some Patels) have been included in this group for want of information on their precise caste affiliation.
The Patidars, distinguished by such caste surnames as Patel, Amin, and Desai, were originally landholders in Gujarat.
These surnames are reminiscent of the Maratha rule over Karnataka. Thus we have surnames like Desai, Deshmukh, Deshpande, Inamdar, Jagirdar, Kulkarni, Patil, etc. These families held different posts under the Maratha administration.