NAZIR, s. Hind. from Ar. nāẓir, 'inspector' (naẓr, 'sight'). The title of a native official in the Anglo-Indian Courts, sometimes improperly rendered 'sheriff,' because he serves processes, &c.
1670.—"The Khan ... ordered his Nassir, or Master of the Court, to assign something to the servants...."—Andriesz, 41.
[1708.—"He especially, who is called Nader, that is the chief of the Mahal ..."—Catrou, H. of the Mogul Dynasty, E.T. 295.
[1826.—"The Nazir is a perpetual sheriff, and executes writs and summonses to all the parties required to attend in civil and criminal cases."—Pandurang Hari, ed. 1873, ii. 118.]
1878.—"The Nazir had charge of the treasury, stamps, &c., and also the issue of summonses and processes."—Life in the Mofussil, i. 204.
[In the following the word represents naḳḳāra, 'a kettle-drum.'
1763.—"His Excellency (Nawab Meer Cossim) had not eaten for three days, nor allowed his Nazir to be beaten."—Diary of a Prisoner at Patna, in Wheeler, Early Records, 323.]
NEELÁM, LEELÁM, s. Hind. nīlām, from Port. leilão. An auction or public [outcry], as it used to be called in India (corresponding to Scotch roup; comp. Germ. rufen, and outroop of Linschoten's translator below). The word is, however, Oriental in origin, for Mr. C. P. Brown (MS. notes) points out that the Portuguese word is from Ar. i'lām (al-i'lām), 'proclamation, advertisement.' It is omitted by Dozy and Engelmann. How old the custom in India of prompt disposal by auction of the effects of a deceased European is, may be seen in the quotation from Linschoten.
1515.—"Pero d'Alpoym came full of sorrow to Cochin with all the apparel and servants of Afonso d'Alboquerque, all of which Dom Gracia took charge of; but the Governor (Lopo Soares) gave orders that there should be a leilão (auction) of all the wardrobe, which indeed made a very poor show. Dom Gracia said to D. Aleixo in the church, where they met: The Governor your uncle orders a leilão of all the old wardrobe of Afonso d'Alboquerque. I can't praise his intention, but what he has done only adds to my uncle's honour; for all the people will see that he gathered no rich Indian stuffs, and that he despised everything but to be foremost in honour."—Correa, ii. 469.
[1527.—"And should any man die, they at once make a Leylam of his property."—India Office MSS., Corpo Chronologico, vol. i. Letter of Fernando Nunes to the King, Sept. 7.