Senapati

Senapati (Sanskrit: सेनापति [ˌseːnɑːˈpɐt̪i]; lit. 'army lord') is a title in ancient India denoting the rank of General. It was a hereditary title of nobility used in the Maratha Empire. During wartime, a Sardar Senapati or Sarsenapati (also colloquially termed Sarnaubat) functioned as the Commander-in-Chief of all Maratha armies, coordinating the commands of the various Sardars in battle. Ranking under the heir-apparent crown prince (yuvaraja) and other hereditary princes (rajkumar), the title Senapati most closely resembles a British Duke or German Herzog in rank and function. On occasion, the title Mahasenapati (Sanskrit: महा maha- 'great') was granted; this equates to Field Marshal, and closely resembles a Grand Duke or a German Großherzog. Unlike Sardar, Senapati is a primogeniture hereditary title that is passed on to the eldest son.