gomashta

English

Alternative forms

• gomasta, gomushta, gomusta, gumasta, gumashta, gumusta, gomashtah, gomastah, gomustah, gumastah, gumashtah, gumustah

Etymology

From Hindi [Term?], Urdu [Term?], from Persian گماشته (“appointed, delegated”).

Noun

gomashta (plural gomashtas)

1. (India, now historical) A native Indian clerk or steward.
   • 2005, Mike Dash, Thug, Granta, published 2006, page 142:

     But the gomashta now realized that there were other ways of obtaining reparation - and also making money for himself.

   • 2008, Amitav Ghosh, Sea of Poppies, Penguin, published 2015:

     This met with no response and nor did the gomusta require any.