Rekhta

Rekhta is a term used in the Hindustani literary tradition to denote a historical form of the language used in Urdu poetry, characterized by a blend of Persian, Arabic, and Turkish vocabulary with the native Hindustani grammar. The word Rekhta, often translated as “mixture,” describes the late medieval to early modern register in which poets composed ghazals and nazms before the standardization of Urdu as a national language. The etymology is debated, but Rekhta commonly refers to this mixed linguistic milieu fostered by Persianate literary culture in North India.

In literary history, Rekhta marks a transitional phase between earlier Hindustani varieties and the more standardized Urdu of the 19th and 20th centuries. It is associated with the courtly and urban poetry of Delhi and Lucknow, where poets absorbed Persian and Arabic lexicon alongside evolving vernacular grammar. The style is often linked to the elaborate wordplay, metaphor, and stylistic richness characteristic of traditional ghazals.

Today, Rekhta also denotes a modern digital initiative: Rekhta Foundation runs Rekhta.org, a large online archive of Urdu, Persian, and Hindi literature. The portal hosts poems, ghazals, and nazms, biographical sketches, bibliographies, and transliterations or translations, along with audio recitations. It serves as a resource for scholars, students, and poetry enthusiasts and aims to promote and preserve the Urdu literary heritage.

In addition, the Rekhta Foundation organizes Jashn-e-Rekhta, an annual festival devoted to Urdu language and poetry, featuring poets, discussions, readings, and cultural events. The combination of historical Rekhta and the contemporary platform has helped broaden access to Urdu literature worldwide.