dharna

American  

[dahr-nuh, duhr-] / ˈdɑr nə, ˈdʌr- /

Also dhurna

noun

1. (in India) the practice of exacting justice or compliance with a just demand by sitting and fasting at the doorstep of an offender until death or until the demand is granted.

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dharna British  

/ ˈdɑː-, ˈdʌnə /

noun

1. (in India) a method of obtaining justice, as the payment of a debt, by sitting, fasting, at the door of the person from whom reparation is sought

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Etymology

Origin of dharna

1785–95; < Hindi: placing

Example Sentences

The word dharna means ‘to place or lay on,’ and hence ‘a pledge.’

From The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II by Russell, R. V. (Robert Vane)

If a woman greatly desires a child she will go to a shrine and lay a stone on it which she calls the dharna or deposit or pledge.

From The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India - Volume IV of IV Kumhar-Yemkala by Russell, R. V. (Robert Vane)

The sweeper is in need of the money and is sitting dharna at the Sun’s door; you can see his shadow across the Sun’s threshold.

From The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India - Volume IV of IV Kumhar-Yemkala by Russell, R. V. (Robert Vane)

It is called by the Hindoos "sitting dharna."

From Jailed for Freedom by Stevens, Doris

Another custom known as dharna is that of a suppliant placing a stone on the shrine of a god or tomb of a saint.

From The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II by Russell, R. V. (Robert Vane)