किला
qilastandard, fort
Hindi has no single word for a European castle. किला (qila) means a fort, and महल (mahal) means a palace, so people choose the one that fits the building.
Meaning: fortified building (noun)
Ways to say it
| Indian | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| किला | qila | standard, fort |
| महल | mahal | palace |
किला (qila) is used for the large fortified buildings of India, such as the Red Fort in Delhi, called लाल किला (laal qila).
Which one should you use?
A महल (mahal) is a royal residence, with no need for defensive walls. Many Indian forts contain palaces, and the two words are often used together.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Rajasthan the great hill forts such as Amer and Mehrangarh are among the best-known examples.
Did you know?
- किला (qila) comes from Arabic and also appears in Urdu.
Examples in context
- हम कल लाल किला देखने जाएँगे।Hum kal Laal Qila dekhne jaayenge.We will go to see the Red Fort tomorrow.
- राजा का महल बहुत बड़ा था।Raja ka mahal bahut bada tha.The king's palace was very big.
Example conversation
Guide Mahesh and a tourist stand at the gate of a fort in Jodhpur.
- Guideयह किला पाँच सौ साल पुराना है।Yah qila paanch sau saal puraana hai.This fort is five hundred years old.
- Turistऔर वह महल किसका है?Aur vah mahal kiska hai?And whose palace is that?
- Guideवह राजा का महल है।Vah raja ka mahal hai.That is the king's palace.
