bahu

Bahu is a term with multiple meanings in South Asia. In common usage among Hindi, Urdu, and related languages, bahu denotes the daughter-in-law, the wife of one’s son. It also appears in various family expressions and social contexts describing intergenerational relationships within households.

Historically, the word has roots in Sanskrit, where bahu can mean many or much, and it has entered other languages with related senses. In contemporary usage, the daughter-in-law sense remains the dominant meaning in everyday speech, while the Sanskrit sense persists in linguistic and literary contexts.

Notable places bearing the name Bahu include Bahu Fort and the Bahu Temple in Jammu, India. The fort sits on the left bank of the Tawi River and forms the core of the temple complex, which houses a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Kali (Kalika Mata). The site is a significant religious pilgrimage stop and a historical landmark reflecting regional architecture and history.

Beyond its use as a kinship term, Bahu is also used as a personal name or surname in some South Asian communities and can appear in various place names or cultural references.