Naik
NAIK, or NAYAK, from a Sanskrit word meaning a leader, a title used in India in various senses. In the army it denotes a rank corresponding to that of corporal; and Hyder Ali of Mysore was proud of being called Haidar Naik, analogous to " le petit caporal " for Napoleon. It was also the title of the petty dynasties that arose in S. India on the downfall of the Hindu empire of Vijayanagar in the 16th century.
Note - this article incorporates content from Encyclopaedia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, (1910-1911)
