Reconstruction:Prakrit/𑀫𑁄𑀝𑁆𑀞

This Prakrit entry contains reconstructed terms and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.

• *𑀫𑀝𑁆𑀞 (*maṭṭha) — for Gujarati and Marathi forms

Unknown; probably borrowed from substrate.^[1] Formally inherited from Sanskrit मुकुष्ठ (mukuṣṭha, “kind of bean”), but that is probably a Sanskritisation of this word. Compare Prakrit *𑀫𑀝𑁆𑀝𑀭 (*maṭṭara, “pea”) ~ *𑀫𑀝𑁆𑀞 (*maṭṭha, “pea”), Sanskrit मु॒द्ग (mudgá, “mung bean”), Sanskrit मुकुल (mukula, “bud”) ~ मुद्गर (mudgara, “bud; hammer”).^[2]

Compare Kannada ಮಡಕಿ (maḍaki), ಮಡಿಕೆ (maḍike), ಮಡಿಗೆ (maḍige), referring to the same plant, but probably unrelated.

Also note that Classical Persian موتھی (mothi) is attested in an Indian text from 1357, and refers to the same bean.^[3]

1357, Ziauddin Barani, Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi‎, page 568:

و موتهی و کنجد که در آن زمین می‌کاشتند و در بیابان‌ها فرود می‌بردند بجای آن از قوت آب نیشکر و حفظه و نخود خواهند کاشت و در خانه‌ها آورد

v mvthy v knjd kh dr ān zmyn my-kaśtnd v dr byaban-ha frvd my-brdnd bjay ān az qvt āb nyśkr v ḥfz̤h v nxvd xvahnd kaśt v dr xanh-ha āvrd

They used to cultivate moṭh and sesame in that land and harvested them in wilderness. Now owing to the aid of water they will grow and bring home sugarcane, wheat and gram

This is probably the earliest mention; also see Old Punjabi ਮੋਠੁ (moṭhu) attested from the 17th century.

*𑀫𑁄𑀝𑁆𑀞 (*mŏṭṭha) m

1. moth bean, Vigna aconitifolia