khurd

Khurd is a toponymic term used in parts of the Indian subcontinent and surrounding regions to differentiate two settlements that share the same name. The word derives from Persian, where khurd means “small” or “little.”

The term is commonly paired with Kalan, which means “big” or “great.” In this convention, Khurd denotes the smaller village, while Kalan denotes the larger one. The pair is a linguistic and historical device rather than an administrative designation, and it has been used in land records, maps, postal addressing, and local speech to distinguish otherwise identical-named places.

The Khurd-Kalan naming pattern reflects Persianate influence on South Asian toponymy and has been widespread in rural areas of India and Pakistan, among other regions where Persian and Urdu linguistic traditions have left a mark on place names. In many cases, the pair persists in official references and local usage, even as populations and administrative boundaries change over time.

Khurd is typically embedded as part of a longer village name rather than existing as an independent entity or surname. Its precise interpretation, when encountered, depends on local historical usage and the presence of a corresponding Kalan name in the same area.

See also: Kalan, toponymy, Persian influence in the Indian subcontinent, rural naming conventions.