'The Malim Sahib's Hindustani' -Part 2

'The Malim Sahib's Hindustani' -Part 2

MARITIME HISTORY--gleanings

My study indicates:

Malim (Saab) was obviously  derived from "Malum Saab"--!! --to mean skilled &competent-

Some names are easy to connote --linked to job , profession like the following:

Aagwala = Fireman

Batti = Light LOL -but a word of caution --if anyone uses this today.

Bhandary--from Bhandar -provisions

Sukhani-from Sukhan -Rudder.

I loved the Marconi Saab for Radio officer....cute- Desi and yet Vilayati

Some names are quite lost in antiquity  --eg.

Q: Where did the term Pori and Pori wala come from to denote a Watch -keeper / lookout-man especially  ...maybe coastal fishing Gujarati --will need to check out--

Khalassi -?

Kassab ?

Lascar seems to have been derived from Pakistan --group, tribe etc

Meanwhile:

Here's something  from gleanings written by a senior Retd British ship's officer in archives :Captain - Captain sahib
C/O - Burra malim sahib
2/O - Majla Malim sahib
3/O - Sajla Malim sahib
4/O - or other Junior - Chota malim sahib
Cadet/Apprentice - Chota sahib or cadet sahib
C/E - Burra mistri sahib
2/E - Majla mistri sahib
3/E - Tin number mistri sahib
4/E - Char number mistri sahib
5/E - Panch number mistri sahib
Purser - Pursa Sahib
Clerk - Kuranni sahib
Doctor - Doctor sahib/M.O.
R/O - Marconi sahib
Gunner - As in English
Chief Steward (European) - as in English
Chief Steward (native) - Butla
Cook (for Europeans) - Bawachi
Cook (for natives) - Bandari
Captains Servant - Captain sahib ka noka
Saloon servant - Salum ka noka
Butlers Writer and Assistant - Munshi
Bosun - Deck Serang
Bosuns Mate - Burra Tindal
Carpenter - Mistri
Quartermaster - Sukunni
Lamp Trimmer and Store Keeper - Cassab
Lascar Sailors - Kalassi (singular), Kalassi Log (collective)
Fireman Serang - Ag walla serang
1st Fireman serangs mate - Ag walla burra tindal
2nd Fireman serangs mate - Ag walla chota tindal
Greaser - Tal Walla
Donkeyman - Donki walla
Storekeeper (engine room) - Engine room cassab
Lampman (engine room) - Batti walla
Lascar Firemen - Ag walla (sing), Ag walla log (collective)
Boy - Chokra

Remarks from a British retd seafarer

" As  deck officer in the 1960s, it was my indispensable means of  communicating and giving orders to our Indian Lascar ship's crews. Written by a Seaman for Seamen, the words are printed as they are spoken. Correct Urdu it is not - but as the language of Indian crews from Calcutta to Bombay, it is a notable facet of Britain's love affair with India, ever since it was first published in 1930.

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