User:Deshta
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[edit] The ta-tas of Himachal:
WHAT is in a name? A rose would smell just as sweet even if you call it something else. True. But are names so insignificant? The Shakespearean logic does not seem to hold if we take a look at the surnames prevalent in the upper reaches of Shimla district. The unique and distinct nomenclature provides some meaningful information about the history and culture of the place.
Places like Jubbal, Kotkhai, Chaupal and Rohru are home to families bearing the letters "ta" suffixed to the root word in their surnames. Austa, Bhimta, Chanta, Deshta, Khimta, Pirta, Ranta, Tegta, Tanta, Zinta... the list goes on. There are over 150 such names almost covering the entire English alphabet. At first glance it appears that the choice of names is arbitrary and the words have been selected at random. Choose a word and add the ubiquitous "ta ". Not quite. The nomenclature adheres to a system having its moorings in the past.
This page belongs to --Deshta (talk) 07:01, 8 February 2008 (UTC)Gaurav Deshta
