A Muslim noble or ruler in India, especially during the period of Mughal Empire; a powerful and wealthy person.
From Urdu 'nawab' and Hindustani, derived from Arabic 'na'ib' (deputy, viceroy). British colonizers encountered this title and adopted it into English with the sense of 'provincial governor or nobleman.'
The nawabs of India were so wealthy and powerful that British colonizers had to respect their authority even after claiming to rule India—some nawabs maintained their own courts, armies, and treasuries well into the 20th century.
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