Jemadar was a
rank used in the
British Indian Army, where it was the lowest rank for a
Viceroy's Commissioned Officer (VCO). Jemadars either commanded
platoons or
troops themselves or assisted their
British commander. They also filled regimental positions such as Assistant
Quartermaster (Jemadar Quartermaster) or Assistant
Adjutant (Jemadar Adjutant).
It remained in use in the Indian Army until 1965 as the lowest rank of Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO). The rank of Jemadar was later renamed in both the Indian Army and the Pakistan Army as Naib Subedar in infantry units, and Naib Risaldar in cavalry and armoured corps units.
The rank remains in use in the paramilitary police hierarchy.