hence "book", especially "book of accounts," and hence "office of accounts," "custom house," "council chamber". The meaning of the word, divan "long, cushioned seat" is due to such seats having been found along the walls in Middle Eastern council chambers. It is a common surname among Sikhs in Punjab.

Council

The word first appears under the Caliphate of Omar I (A.D. 634-644). As the Caliphate state became more complicated,

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