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Glite Dictionary
malik

malik

8 9.9
A local leader of a village or town often in parts of South Asia and western Asia
  • noun
  • Indian
translation icon : malik
  • When there was a dispute, the community gathered to seek the wisdom of their malik.
  • tribal maliks

Examples

  • At his discretion, he can refer a civil dispute to a council of maliks (jirga), which decides how the dispute should be resolved.

    Academic text (2014)

  • By the year 1000, they sometimes even used the title of Malik of Sicily.

    Academic text (2010)

  • No one would threaten the Malik's control, especially not the Sultans, whose power came only by his accomplishments.

  • The villagers looked to their malik for guidance during the difficult times.

  • As the elected malik, she was responsible for making decisions that would benefit the entire community.

Synonyms

tribal chief
vsmalik
3 4.7

A person who leads a group of people in a traditional community

is a town or community leader serving geographic populations rather than kin groups
mukhtar
vsmalik
1 9.9

A person elected to lead a village or small community

is usually a traditional community head not defined by election
tribal sheikh
vsmalik
1 8.7

A person who leads an Arab family group or village and makes important community decisions

is a secular community head without implied religious authority
Patel
vsmalik
  • Archaic
8.7

A village leader who manages land and local affairs in parts of India

is a local community leader with broader cultural and regional scope
nayaka
vsmalik
  • Archaic
9.9

A person who leads a community or region in South Asian history

is a regional headman used across local communities, not only historical contexts
sardar
vsmalik
  • UK
8.4

A respected leader who makes decisions for a village or community

is a general town or community head without a specific ethnic title
Arab chief
vsmalik
6.7

A person who leads an Arab village, tribe, or family and has power in the community

is used broadly across regions, not limited to a single communal leadership type

How Powerful

king
∞ 1.0
governor
∞ 3.0
malik
  • Indian
8 9.9
leader
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

malik singular
maliks plural

Etymology

The word malik comes from the Arabic root m-l-k, which means 'king' or 'owner'. So a malik is like a local 'king' or headman who leads a town and settles disputes, which explains its use for community leaders in parts of Asia Minor and South Asia.