Word Meaning
ख़ित्ता
khiṭṭa
Meaning
A region, territory, zone, or tract of land.
Detailed Meaning
Literally denoting a demarcated tract of land or geographical zone, 'khiṭṭa' implies a bounded domain. In the provided couplet, it forms the compound 'khiṭṭa-e-khāk' (region of dust), which poetically signifies the mortal, material world. The poet invokes mortals as inhabitants of this transient earthly realm.
Etymology
Arabic خِطَّة (khiṭṭah), derived from the root خ-ط-ط (kh-ṭ-ṭ), meaning to draw lines, mark off, or demarcate land.
Usage
In classical Urdu poetry, it frequently appears in izafat constructions such as 'khiṭṭa-e-khāk' (the earthly sphere) or 'khiṭṭa-e-gulshan' (the rose garden).
Examples
A traveler wandering through the desolate region of sorrow.
The inhabitants of this earthly region remain unaware of the heavens.