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meerbar

Meerbar is an obsolete Anglo-Indian term from the colonial era for a harbormaster — the official responsible for overseeing shipping and navigation in a port.

ˈmibɹɑɹ90 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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#1·Apr 28, 2026

Meerbar is an obsolete Anglo-Indian term from the colonial era for a harbormaster — the official responsible for overseeing shipping and navigation in a port. The term reflects the extensive Perso-Arabic administrative vocabulary absorbed into Anglo-Indian English during the East India Company and British Raj periods. Entirely archaic; of interest primarily to maritime historians and researchers of colonial administrative language in South Asia.

The meerbar refused to grant clearance until the manifest had been properly stamped by the customs officer.
Origin: From Persian/Urdu 'mir' (chief, lord) + 'bar' (harbor, port, gate); a compound administrative title absorbed into Anglo-Indian usage. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora (model-assisted, hedged).
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#2·Apr 27, 2026

(India, obsolete) A harbormaster.

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