Pothī
/ˈpoʊ.tiː/noun
A book or manuscript, especially a traditional South Asian religious or literary text.
Did you know?A pothī is traditionally made from loose leaves threaded together, rather than bound like a modern codex, and the format remains especially associated with Jain, Hindu, and Sikh manuscript traditions.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Indo-Aryan
Sanskrit
pothī
“A book or written volume; the precise origin is uncertain.”
Middle Indo-Aryan
Prakrit
potthī
“A book or manuscript, particularly a religious text.”
Medieval Period
Apabhraṃśa
potthī
“A written book or manuscript.”
Medieval Hindi
Hindi
पोथी (pothī)
“A book, volume, or religious manuscript.”
Modern English
English
pothi / pothī
“A South Asian manuscript or traditional religious book, used mainly in scholarly and cultural contexts.”