Transmission by Hari Kunzru, pg. 14 ("Greeting the chowkidar, who was hunched over a transistor radio, following the cricket, he made his way across the oarched lawn..."), 30 ("the chowdikar saluted, and he swung the car imperiously onto the road...").

In Indian society,a chowkidar is an "unofficial" guard or watchman of a residence, business, temple or other place. The term literally means someone who inhabits the "chowki," a police station (though a chowdikar is not an official policeman) or guard house, but can also refer to a caretaker responsible for maintenance as well as security. The chowdikar is a lower inhabitant of the caste system, and in many instances, the word is translated somewhat condescendingly as "old man," since the job seems often to be relegated to older gentlemen.

THE JUNGLE AND THE VILLAGE: DISCOURSES ON CRIME AND DEVIANCE IN RURAL NORTH INDIA |