Havildar or havaldar (Hindustani: or <small>(Devanagari)</small>, <small>(Perso-Arabic)</small>) is a rank in the Indian and Pakistani armies, equivalent to sergeant. It is not used in cavalry and armoured units, where the equivalent is daffadar.
Like a British sergeant, a havildar wears three rank chevrons.
History
thumb|upright|1812 engraving of a [[Madras Army havildar (left)]]
"Havildar" is a Persian word in origin and means "person in charge", or more loosely "chief", from the Arabic ("charge", "responsibility") and the Persian (dâr, "holder"). Historically, a havildar was a senior commander, being in charge of a fort during the times of the Mughal Empire. It was used as the equivalent of a sergeant in the Presidency armies and British Indian Army, which has led to its current usage.
Appointments
Indian Army
Havildars could be further appointed to positions of higher authority. The appointments of company quartermaster havildar and company havildar major existed in the British Indian Army. However, havildars are now promoted directly to junior commissioned officer rank, as the duties of these historical appointments are now carried out by JCOs.
60pxThe company quartermaster havildar (CQMH), equivalent to a company quartermaster sergeant, assisted the quartermaster in managing the company stores. The insignia was three chevrons with an Ashoka lion emblem above.
60pxThe company havildar major (CHM) was the most senior non-commissioned officer in a company, equivalent to a company sergeant major.