charkha

or char·ka

[ chahr-kuh ]

noun

1. (in India and the East Indies) a cotton gin or spinning wheel.

charkha

/ ˈtʃɑːkə /

noun

1. (in India) a spinning wheel, esp for cotton

Word History and Origins

Origin of charkha¹

1875–80; < Urdu < Persian

Word History and Origins

Origin of charkha¹

from Hindi

Example Sentences

The charkha became a symbol of Indian resistance to Britain’s textile-based mercantilism and British rule generally.

From New York Times

Sarabhai said that should Trump visit, he is likely to be given a charkha, a traditional spinning wheel used by Gandhi, as well as a copy of his autobiography.

From Reuters

This charkha comes from Mani Bhavan in Mumbai, which was the "headquarters" of Gandhi's political movement for 17 years.

From BBC

In it he made the somewhat startling claim that computer technologies today have become the contemporary equivalent of the spinning wheel — the “charkha” — that Mahatma Gandhi used to inspire a spiritual, political and economic revolution in India.

From Salon

We still believe that the best way to manufacture khadi is the traditional charkha, or spinning wheel, simply because, as Mahatma Gandhi was convinced, it gives the much-needed employment to millions of the poor of this country.

From New York Times