Rekhta facts for kids
Rekhta is an old and important form of the Urdu language. Think of it as an earlier version of Urdu, especially the kind spoken around Delhi a long time ago. It was a mix of different languages, mainly Persian, Arabic, and local Indian languages like Khariboli.
What is Rekhta?
Rekhta was mostly used for poetry. It means "scattered" or "mixed," which perfectly describes how it was formed. Poets would blend words from Persian and Arabic with words from local Indian dialects. This created a new, beautiful language for expressing feelings and stories. It was a very popular way to write poems during the time of the Mughal Empire in India.
Where Did Rekhta Come From?
Rekhta started to become popular in the 17th and 18th centuries, especially in and around the city of Delhi. This was a time when many different cultures and languages were mixing in India. The Mughal rulers spoke Persian, but the local people spoke various Indian languages. Rekhta grew out of this mix, becoming a bridge between these different ways of speaking. It allowed poets to reach a wider audience.
How Rekhta Became Urdu
Over time, Rekhta slowly changed and developed into what we now call Urdu. The main difference is that Urdu became more standardized and widely used, not just for poetry but for everyday conversation and writing too. Rekhta laid the foundation for Urdu's grammar and much of its vocabulary. Many famous poets who wrote in Rekhta are now considered the first great poets of Urdu. This means that if you read old Rekhta poetry, you're reading the very beginnings of the Urdu language.
Famous Rekhta Poets
Many talented poets used Rekhta to write their amazing works. One of the most famous was Mir Taqi Mir. He is often called the "God of Poetry" in Urdu because of his deep and emotional poems. Another important poet was Mirza Ghalib, who also wrote in Rekhta before Urdu fully developed. These poets helped shape the language and showed how powerful and expressive it could be. Their works are still studied and loved today, showing the lasting impact of Rekhta.
