Dhenki

Dhenki, Dhiki, Dhinki (Nepali: ढिकी; pronounced [ɖʱiki]), dheki or dhenki (Bangla: ঢেঁকি, Assamese: ঢেঁকী, Hindi: ढेंकि) is an old style rice mill or husk lever[1] found in Nepal, Bangladesh and Indian states of Assam, West Bengal and Odisha.

Dhekis have generally fallen into disuse because of the availability of technologies such as combine harvesters that require much less physical labour.

A dheki consists of a heavy wooden lever, usually about 72 in (1.8 m) long, supported on a pedestal about 18 in (46 cm) high, which provides a fulcrum.

In medieval times, dhenki were introduced to Japan, where they are called karausu (唐臼, lit.

In the Satyajit Ray's Bengali movie Ashani Sanket, the actresses were seen operating dhenki for a short period of time.

A Japanese karausu in 1920
A woman grinding rice with Dhinki in a village in Odisha