This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. Hindi to English
  3. History

"khidki"

English translation: खिड़की, Window

18:02 Feb 22, 2008
Hindi to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - History / The History of the Maharajas
Hindi term or phrase: "khidki"
I'm translating a book about the Automobiles of the Marahaja from English into Italian (so I don't speak Hindi!). The phrase I have problem with is speaking of Rani Renuka Roy Chowdhury who spent her childhood years in the Andar Mahal (women’s quarters) of her grandfather’s palatial haveli (mansion) in Calcutta. She relates how the women travelled to bathe in the River Ganges. So she says that every house had two gate: a "sadar" gate for men and a "khidki" gate for women. The question is what is the exact meaning of the word KHIDKI?
Thank you!
Milena Cardaci
Italy
Local time: 19:30
English translation:खिड़की, Window
Explanation:
Khidki literarily means a window. Here in your particular context is an small, private (not general) gate.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day10 hrs (2008-02-24 04:56:04 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

Here in this particular context is an small, private (not general) gate. In muslim houses there used to be the Zanan khana, or ladies' quarter. They have access to a private gate. But in Urdu, nowhere Khidki has been used for gates.
Of course, in Bengali, Marathi and other languages we find this word. The famous Maratha fort in Pune, The Shaniwar wada has many gates. One of them is Khidki Darwaja (a gate with an armored window in it).
Selected response from:

Mohd Shahid Akhtar
India
Local time: 23:00
Grading comment
Thank you very much. Prompt and clear.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +4Small and Private
Rajesh Srivastava
5 +4Sub gate/Gate used for menial works
keshab
5 +4खिड़की, Window
Mohd Shahid Akhtar


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


8 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +4
Small and Private


Explanation:
No doubt that khidki means window but here it is small and private gate for women who were alwayas in curtain(purdah).

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 8 hrs (2008-02-23 02:08:00 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

It is exclisively private and specially for women only.

Rajesh Srivastava
India
Local time: 23:00
Works in field
Native speaker of: Hindi

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  chaman4723
2 hrs
  -> thanks
agree  Anindita Basu (X)
4 hrs
  -> Thanks
agree  Pundora
1 day 2 hrs
agree  chandan mishra
1 day 4 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

8 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +4
Sub gate/Gate used for menial works


Explanation:
Actually you should post it as Bengali to English term. Here, in Calcutta (presently Kolkata), we have two gates in our houses (palace or common house-whichever may be). One is "Sadar Darja"or "Sadar"(main gate) and another is "Khidki Darja"or "Khidki" (Sub gate). Darja means "Gate".
Interestingly, these two words also used in hindi where "Sadar" refers to "Main" and "Khidki" refers to "Window".
No doubt that these words used in Calcutta are taken from Hindi. "Sadar" retains its original but the word "Khidki" diverts from its original meaning.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 8 hrs (2008-02-23 02:09:26 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I have to mention we still use these words as long as the domestic houses exists. In apartment culture these words will be obsolete.

keshab
Local time: 23:00
Native speaker of: Native in HindiHindi, Native in BengaliBengali
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  chaman4723
2 hrs
  -> Thank you
agree  Anindita Basu (X): absolutely
4 hrs
  -> Thank you
agree  Pundora
1 day 2 hrs
  -> Thank you
agree  chandan mishra
1 day 4 hrs
  -> Thank you
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +4
खिड़की, Window


Explanation:
Khidki literarily means a window. Here in your particular context is an small, private (not general) gate.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day10 hrs (2008-02-24 04:56:04 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

Here in this particular context is an small, private (not general) gate. In muslim houses there used to be the Zanan khana, or ladies' quarter. They have access to a private gate. But in Urdu, nowhere Khidki has been used for gates.
Of course, in Bengali, Marathi and other languages we find this word. The famous Maratha fort in Pune, The Shaniwar wada has many gates. One of them is Khidki Darwaja (a gate with an armored window in it).


Mohd Shahid Akhtar
India
Local time: 23:00
Native speaker of: Native in HindiHindi
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Thank you very much. Prompt and clear.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Shera Lyn Parpia: the meaning here is of a "reserved gate"
2 hrs
  -> Thank you
agree  Rajan Chopra
8 hrs
  -> Thank you
agree  chaman4723
10 hrs
  -> Thank you
agree  Pundora
1 day 10 hrs
  -> Thank you
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search