Shiqdar a medieval institution. Shiqdar was the head of an administrative unit called shiqq, which was equivalent to a province or part of a province. Originally the shiqdar held a military rank, but later acted as a revenue officer. During the time of sher shah, shiqdar was an officer of the pargana, and he held the military post, while amin was a revenue officer. The term shiqdar survived into the 18th century. In modern time the office of shiqdar no longer exists, but some people in Bengal take the family title of Shiqdar. [Abdul Karim]