durbar

[ dur-bahr ]

noun

1. the court of an Indian ruler.
2. a public audience or levee held by an Indian prince or by a British colonial governor or viceroy; an official reception.
3. the hall or place where an Indian prince or British colonial governor holds a public audience.
4. an audience held by an Indian prince or British colonial governor.

durbar

/ ˌdɜːˈbɑː; ˈdɜːbɑː /

noun

1. 1. (formerly) the court of a native ruler or a governor in India and British Colonial West Africa
   2. a levee at such a court

Word History and Origins

Origin of durbar¹

First recorded in 1600–10; alteration of Urdu darbār “court,” from Persian, equivalent to dar “door” + bār “entry”

Word History and Origins

Origin of durbar¹

C17: from Hindi darbār court, from Persian, from dar door + bār entry, audience

Example Sentences

"Locals marvelled at this weekly durbar, where Ahmed, one ear pressed to his mobile phone and other taking in requests for constituency service, would mutter orders to his personal assistant or stenographer".

From BBC

At a durbar, nothing quite prepares you for the riot of colours that adorn the gathering of chiefs all wearing kente.

From BBC

It had been the site where lavish ceremonies - known as durbars - took place when a new British monarch took to the throne.

From BBC

After the durbar ceremony in Kumasi, Sanchez seized a chance to talk to the chief and asked if he would be willing to be tested to find out if they share any genetic links.

From Reuters

Instead of agreeing enthusiastically, as a maharajah in the 19th century would at Queen Victoria’s durbar, Modi wanted something in return.

From The Guardian