Mistri

Mistri, or Mistry, is a term for a master-craftsman, foreman or supervisor of manual workers in India.^[1] Mistri is being replaced with "supervisor" and other terms, as for example by the Indian Railway who replaced it with supervisor in 2005.^[2]

For the Mistry caste, see Mistri (caste).

The word Mistri, or Mistry, is adopted into the Gujarati language from the Portuguese word Mestre meaning Master or Teacher.^{[3] [4]} The Portuguese were present in Gujarat since 1500 in Diu. The Kadias and Kadia Kshatriyas worked on building Diu Fort and the Portuguese called them Mestre due to their skills at fort building.^[5][6]

Mistri besides carpenter ( for Suthar community ) also meant Contractor^[7] ( mainly for Mistris of Kutch - majority of whom worked as Railway, PWD & Forest Contractors during British India ). Many Parsi family working as Contractor, therefore, also adopted surname Mistry, as their occupational surname. One such famous Parsi businessman is Pallonji Mistry.

The word Mistri or Mistry in Gujarat is today identified with people, who are expert in Building Construction.

See Also

• Gaidher
• Mistry (Surname)
• Mistri (caste)
• Mistris of Kutch
• Raj Mistry

References

1. ^ Indian journal of psychology. 31 - 32. Indian Psychological Association. 1956. p. 89. http://books.google.co.uk/books?ei=DNQ1TejeJoK6hAf5kbW7Cw&ct=result&id=r5EtAAAAMAAJ&dq=mistri+indian+railways&q=mistry#search_anchor. Retrieved 18 January 2011. 
2. ^ "Sub: Filling up of promotion quota vacancies in the category of JE Gr.II scale Rs.5000-8000 consequent upon the implementation implementation of V Pay Commission scales of pay.". GOVERNMENT OF INDIA/BHARAT SARKAR MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS/RAIL MANTRALAYA (RAILWAY BOARD). 22. http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/indianrailways/directorate/establishment/sel_policy_31-2k5.jsp. Retrieved 18 January 2011. "The avenue for promotion of Mistries (Redesignated as Supervisors)" 
3. ^ "English Translation: Mestre". Webster's Online Dictionary. http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/Portuguese/Mestre?cx=partner-pub-0939450753529744%3Av0qd01-tdlq&cof=FORID%3A9&ie=UTF-8&q=Mestre&searchtype=Definitions%20Only&doc=1. Retrieved 18 January 2011. 
4. ^ "Collins Portuguese Dictionary 2nd edition". Collins. 2001. http://dictionary.reverso.net/portuguese-english/mestre. Retrieved 18 January 2011. 
5. ^ Kadia Kshatriya Ithihas : 1896
6. ^ Kadia Kshatriya Abhudaya : Kutch
7. ^ [1]American anthropology, 1971-1995: papers from the American anthropologist edited by Regna Darnell page 768