A learned man; a teacher; esp., a Brahman versed in the Sanskrit language, and in the science, laws, and religion of the Hindoos; in Cashmere, any clerk or native official.

A Hindu religious leader, an authority

Hindu priest

A pandit or pundit (Devanagari: पण्डित, pronunciation: / /) is a scholar, a teacher, particularly one skilled in Sanskrit and Hindu law, religion and philosophy. In the original usage of the word, a pundit is a Hindu, almost always a Brahmin, who has memorized a substantial portion of the Vedas, along with the corresponding rhythms and melodies for chanting or singing them.

In the second half of the 19th century, the term pundit was used to denote native surveyors who explored regions to the north of India for the British.