kadi

Kadi is a term with several distinct uses, including a place name, a title in Islamic legal tradition, and a personal name in various cultures.

In India, Kadi is a town and municipality in Mehsana district in the western state of Gujarat. It serves as an administrative unit within the district, and its local economy is based on agriculture and small-scale industries, including light manufacturing and trade that support the surrounding rural area.

In Islamic law, a qadi (also transliterated as kadi or kadī) is a judge who interprets and applies Sharia. Qadis adjudicate in matters such as family law, contracts, and property, with authority and procedures that vary by country and legal system. The term kadı has historical usage in Ottoman Turkish to denote a judicial official within the Sharia court framework.

As a personal name, Kadi is used as a surname or given name in various communities, particularly in parts of South Asia and among diaspora populations. Spellings and pronunciations vary by language and region, reflecting local linguistic traditions.

Kadi, therefore, can refer to a Gujarat town, a title in Islamic legal history, or a name used by people around the world, illustrating how a single term can cross geography, culture, and function.