Word Meaning
खेले
khele
Meaning
Was playing or toying with (archaic past imperfective).
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu grammar, the construction 'khele tha' functions as an archaic past imperfective, equivalent to modern 'khelta tha' or 'khel raha tha'. In this couplet by Mir, it describes a tavern boy casually toying with a sacred clay prayer seal (mohr-e-namaz). The image illustrates the bohemian tavern setting where conventional religious symbols are treated with lighthearted disregard.
Etymology
From Sanskrit क्रीडति (krīḍati) via Prakrit खेलइ (khelaï) into Old Hindustani खेलना (khelnā).
Usage
A characteristic feature of 18th-century classical Urdu poetry (especially in Mir and Sauda), where the past base plus 'था' denotes a habitual or continuous past action.
Examples
The careless child was playing in the dust.
He played with fire, unmindful of the consequence.