gomashta

English

Alternative forms

• gomasta, gomushta, gomusta, gumasta, gumashta, gumusta, gomashtah, gomastah, gomustah, gumastah, gumashtah, gumustah

Etymology

From Hindi [Term?], Urdu [Term?], from Persian گماشته (“appointed, delegated”).

Noun

gomashta (plural gomashtas)

1. (India, now historical) A native Indian clerk or steward.
   • 1775, William Bolts, Considerations on India Affairs, Part II, London, page 152:

     In Bengal, and particularly among the English, the word gomastah is confined, in a partial sense, to those Hindoos who are sent by the Company's servants into the inland-country, furnished with dustucks, to buy or sell goods, on stipulated monthly wages; without drawing commission, or having the liberty to trade on their own account. But among the natives of Hindostan, in the more general acceptation, the word gomastah is indiscriminately used for every sort of representative, or agent; from the ambassador down to the merchant's clerk, or even the foreman of a manufactory.

   • 2005, Mike Dash, Thug, Granta, published 2006, page 142:

     But the gomashta now realized that there were other ways of obtaining reparation - and also making money for himself.

   • 2008, Amitav Ghosh, Sea of Poppies, Penguin, published 2015:

     This met with no response and nor did the gomusta require any.