Urdu’s Influence on English, Surprising Word Origins

Exploring Urdu’s Impact on English Vocabulary

Language has always been a bridge between cultures, and Urdu’s impact on English vocabulary is a fascinating example. In Dr. Abdul Rahman Bravi’s book Angrezi par Urdu ka asr, he discusses how the British adopted various elements from the South Asian subcontinent, including words that seamlessly became part of the English language.

Here are a few intriguing examples:

1. Punch: The word “punch,” as in fruit punch, originates from the Hindi and Urdu word banh, meaning five. Traditionally, punch was made with five ingredients, hence the name.
2. Bandana: Derived from the word bandhna, which means “to tie” in Hindi and Urdu.
3. Khaki: This color name comes from the Urdu word khaki, meaning “sand.”
4. Pajama: The comfortable nightwear has roots in the Urdu word pajama, which means “leg garment.”
5. Khushi: The English word “kushi,” meaning happiness, originates from the Urdu word khushi.

The exchange of words between languages showcases the shared history and cultural ties between regions. Do you know more words with similar origins? Share them in the comments!

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