Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(Anglo-Ind.) a tailor.

1825		Gilchrist East India Vade Mecum 130: The Durzee, or tailor, is an indispensable domestic in every part of India.
1839		‘Bengalee’ Memoirs of a Cadet 26: The durzee was sitting at work beside me.
1844		J.H. Stocqueler Handbk India 237: The durzee, or tailor, is an indispensable adjunct.
1849		Colesworthey Anglo-Ind. Domestic Sketch 96: In some large families, indeed, not one, but two and even three durzees may be seen seated in the verandah.
1875		B. Walshe Sporting and Military Adventures 144: In the meantime, the darzî (native tailor) was hard at work making me some presentable clothing of which, as I observed before, I was sadly in need.
1884		‘C.M., A Bombay-walla’ Chutney Papers 46: In the meantime, the darzî (native tailor) was hard at work making me some presentable clothing of which, as I observed before, I was sadly in need.
1899		Chronicle (Adelaide) 21 Oct. 42/2: As the fashions never change, and their garments are few, there is not much of this to be done, but whatever there is, the darzi does it .
1927		A. Claude Brown Ordinary Man’s India 18: Cotton frocks can be obtained very cheaply if you employ the local durzee, as the Indian tailor is called.