Pronunciation: [tˈɪndə͡l] (IPA) 
The word "tindal" is spelled with the letters T-I-N-D-A-L. Using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), this word can be transcribed as /tɪndəl/. The first syllable is pronounced with the "ih" sound as in "sit" followed by the "n" sound. The second syllable starts with the "d" sound and ends with the "uhl" sound. This uncommon word can refer to a person's name or an archaic spelling of "tinderbox", a device used to ignite a fire.
Tindal is a noun that refers to a military rank or position within the British Army, particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries. The term originated from the Hindi word "tandal," derived from the Persian word "tandal" meaning "a horsekeeper" or "stableman."
In the British army context, a tindal typically referred to a native Indian soldier who worked as a non-commissioned officer or an assistant to a European officer. They were commonly assigned to cavalry or artillery units and were responsible for taking care of the horses, maintaining equipment, and ensuring the smooth operation of the unit.
Tindals held a position of authority among the native Indian troops, often assisting the European officers in commanding and organizing the soldiers. They acted as intermediaries between the European officers and the Indian soldiers, playing a vital role in the efficient functioning of the army.
The role of tindals diminished with the reorganization and modernization of the British Army in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The rank was gradually phased out with the formation of the modern Indian Army, which integrated Indian soldiers into various units on equal terms with their European counterparts.
Today, the term tindal is primarily of historical and cultural significance, representing a specific rank and role unique to the colonial-era British Indian Army.
The word tindal is derived from the Middle English term tindale or tindel, which originated from the Old English word tyndel, meaning tinder or kindling. The Old English word is related to the Old Norse word tundl, which also meant tinder. The ultimate origin of the word can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word *tundilaz.
