Chhota haazri facts for kids
Chhota haazri (pronounced Choh-tah HAA-zri) is a special phrase from Hindustani. It means "small presence" and refers to a light meal eaten very early in the morning. This tradition started a long time ago in northern British India, where people would have this meal in their homes or army camps just after the sun came up.
Even though this meal isn't as common today, the phrase "Chhota haazri" is still used. You might hear it in Anglo-Indian families, in some parts of the Indian Army, and in certain boarding schools in India. In these places, it usually means a simple cup of tea with a biscuit, often served around 6:00 a.m.
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The History of Chhota Haazri
The term "Chhota haazri" has appeared in different ways throughout history. It shows how words can change meaning or be used in fun, new ways over time.
Early Morning Meals and Explorers
In 1912, a famous explorer named Aurel Stein wrote about his travels. He mentioned having a "hasty Chota Hazri" late at night. For him, it was a quick bite to eat before starting his work day, even though it was very late. This shows that the idea of a quick, small meal at an unusual time could also be called Chhota haazri.
A Playful Name for Small States
In 1947, when India was becoming independent, many small kingdoms called princely states were joining the new country. People used the name "Chhota Hazri" in a funny way to talk about these very small states. It was like calling a tiny state a "small presence" because it was so little.
For example, a newspaper might have a headline like "Mr V. P. Menon Visits State of Chhota Hazri." Then, later, a bigger headline might say "CHHOTA HAZRI MERGED," meaning the small state had joined India. This was a clever pun, using the meal's name to make a point about politics.
A Champion Racehorse
Around the middle of the 20th century, there was a very successful racehorse in British Horse racing named 'Chota Hazri'. This shows how a unique name can be used for many different things, even for a fast horse!
