Misl:

MISL is a term which originated in the eighteenth century history of the Sikhs to describe a unit or brigade of Sikh warriors and the territory acquired by it in the course of its campaign of conquest following the weakening of the Mughal authority in the country. The 'Misldar' was the leader or commander of the 'Misl' or 'army group'.

Scholars trying to trace the etymology of the term have usually based their interpretation on the Arabic/Persian word "misi". According to Stcingass, Persian-English Dictionary, the word means "similitude, alike or equal", and "a file" or collection of papers bearing on a particular topic.

David Ochterlony defined misi as "a tribe or race;" Wilson as "a voluntary association of the Sikhs;" Bute Shah as "territory conquered by a brave Sardar with the help of his comrades," Sayyid Imam udDin HusainI as a "derah or encampment."

Ratan Singh Bhangu uses the term at several places in the sense of a "thdnd" or military/police post; M'Gregor uses it in the sense of "a friendly nation;" Lawrence in that of "a brotherhood;" Syad Muhammad Latif in that of "a confederacy of clans under their respective chiefs leagued together;" and so on.

Misl in the meaning of a file or record (maintained according to some, at Akal Takht, under the commander of the entire Sikh army, the Dal Khalsa) pertaining to a Sardar's fighting force and territorial acquisitions has been mentioned by Sita Ram Kohli. J.D. Cunningham had taken note of this connotation of the word, too. He also traces the etymology of the word to maslahai which, according to Steingass' dictionary, means "a front garrison, a border fortification; armed (men), warlike (people), guards, guardians."