What was the "Kursi Nashin" certificate during the British rule in India?

In the past, before India became independent, there were some rules that said Indians couldn't sit on chairs while waiting in a British official's office. However, if they had something called a "Kursi Nashin" certificate, they were allowed to sit on a chair.

The Hindi word "kursi nashin" literally means "chair sitter"

This certificate started in the early 19th century. It was used to tell the difference between Indians who were thought to be important in society and those who were not. Only people with this certificate could sit on a chair when they were with a British official. This rule was a way for the British to show they were in charge and to remind Indians of the social order, where the British were at the top.

It was a way to tell Indians they were not equal to the British. But after India became independent in 1947, they got rid of this certificate.

Imagine a Kursi Nashin certificate from July 1, 1887, like the one given to Ram Narain, son of Sheo Parshad. Looking at it can help us understand how embarrassing it must have been for Indians in those days.

My father-in-law, who is no longer with us, had many stories like this. He used to work for a British Officer before India became independent.

Also Read- What was "Hindu Paani" and "Muslim Paani", in India during pre-independence days?