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B2 verb 12 min read

ढहाना

dhaana
Examples
Explanation ढहाना in your Level:
At the A1 level, learners are just beginning their journey into the Hindi language. The word ढहाना (to demolish) is generally considered too complex and specific for absolute beginners, who should focus on simpler verbs like तोड़ना (to break) or गिरना (to fall). However, understanding the basic concept of bringing something down is useful. If an A1 learner encounters this word, they should simply associate it with the picture of a building falling down or a bulldozer at work. At this stage, do not worry about the complex grammar rules like the 'ने' construction or the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs. Just recognize that when you hear 'ढहाना', it means something big, like a house or a wall, is being destroyed on purpose. You might hear it in simple sentences if someone is pointing at a construction site. Focus on learning the sound of the word: 'dha-ha-na'. It is a physical action word. For now, if you want to say you broke something small, stick to 'तोड़ना'. If you want to say something fell, use 'गिरना'. Keep 'ढहाना' in your passive vocabulary, ready to be activated when you reach a higher level of proficiency and can handle more complex sentence structures.
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At the A2 level, learners can start distinguishing between actions they do and actions that happen by themselves. This is the perfect time to introduce the concept of ढहाना (to demolish) as opposed to ढहना (to collapse). As an A2 learner, you should know that ढहाना is an action done by a person or a machine to a building or a wall. You can start using it in simple present or future tense sentences where the grammar is straightforward because you do not need the 'ने' construction yet. For example, you can say 'वे घर ढहा रहे हैं' (They are demolishing the house) or 'हम दीवार ढहाएंगे' (We will demolish the wall). This helps you talk about changes in your neighborhood or city. You should also recognize it when reading simple news headlines or hearing people talk about construction work. Remember that it is only used for big structures, not for breaking a pencil or a cup. Practice making simple sentences linking a person (the subject) with a building (the object) and the action of demolishing. This will build a strong foundation for when you learn past tense rules later.
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At the B1 level, learners are expected to handle more complex grammar, specifically the perfective aspect and the ergative 'ने' construction. This is where mastering ढहाना becomes essential. You must now practice using this verb in the past tense, remembering that because it is a transitive verb (an action done to an object), the subject needs 'ने' and the verb must agree with the object. For example, 'मज़दूरों ने पुरानी इमारत ढहाई' (The workers demolished the old building). Notice how the verb 'ढहाई' is feminine to match 'इमारत'. This is a critical skill for B1 learners. You should also start using compound verbs to sound more natural, such as 'ढहा देना' instead of just 'ढहाना'. This adds a sense of completion to the action. At this level, you can use this word to discuss news events, urban planning, or historical events in more detail. You are no longer just pointing at a bulldozer; you can explain what happened, who did it, and what was destroyed. You should also be comfortable distinguishing it from synonyms like गिराना or तोड़ना based on the context of the sentence.
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At the B2 level, which is the target level for this word, your understanding of ढहाना should expand beyond physical destruction into the realm of metaphorical usage. You are now capable of expressing abstract thoughts and emotions. You can use ढहाना to talk about destroying someone's ego (अहंकार ढहाना), dismantling outdated traditions (परंपराओं को ढहाना), or shattering false beliefs (भ्रम ढहाना). This metaphorical application makes your Hindi sound significantly more sophisticated and native-like. Furthermore, you should be fully comfortable with passive voice constructions, which are very common with this verb in journalistic contexts. For example, 'अवैध निर्माण ढहाया गया' (The illegal construction was demolished). You should be able to read Hindi newspaper articles about municipal actions and understand the nuances perfectly. At this stage, you are not just using the word correctly in terms of grammar; you are choosing it for its stylistic impact. You understand the weight and forcefulness it conveys compared to simpler synonyms, and you deploy it intentionally in debates, essays, or complex conversations to make a strong point.
At the C1 level, learners possess an advanced, nuanced command of the language. Your use of ढहाना should be effortless and highly contextualized. You can appreciate the poetic and literary uses of the word. In literature, you will encounter it describing the ravages of time or the emotional devastation of a character. You can use it in complex, multi-clause sentences, integrating it with advanced grammar structures like conditionals or participial phrases. For example, 'यदि प्रशासन ने समय रहते कदम नहीं उठाया होता, तो वे पूरी बस्ती ढहा चुके होते' (If the administration hadn't taken timely steps, they would have demolished the entire settlement). You are also aware of regional variations or highly formal synonyms like ज़मींदोज़ करना and can seamlessly switch between them depending on the register of the conversation—whether you are giving a formal presentation on urban development or having an intense philosophical discussion about breaking down societal barriers. Your vocabulary is rich enough that ढहाना is just one tool among many, chosen specifically for its precise evocative power.
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At the C2 level, you have near-native mastery. Your understanding of ढहाना encompasses its entire etymological, cultural, and sociopolitical weight. You recognize how the word is weaponized in political discourse, often used in rhetoric about 'demolishing the opposition's strongholds' or 'tearing down the foundations of corruption'. You can dissect political speeches or classical poetry where the word is used to evoke specific historical memories of conquest or reform. You use it instinctively, not just in standard phrases, but in creative, original metaphors that resonate with native speakers. You understand the subtle phonetic impact of the aspirated consonants and how they contribute to the word's forceful tone. At this level, you are not just learning the word; you are playing with it, using it to craft compelling narratives, persuasive arguments, and evocative prose. You can correct subtle misuses by native speakers and appreciate the deep linguistic roots that connect this causative verb to its intransitive origins, fully grasping the mechanics of Hindi verb derivation.
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Examples
The Hindi verb ढहाना (dhahana) is a powerful and evocative word that translates primarily to 'to demolish', 'to pull down', 'to raze', or 'to cause to fall'. It is the causative form of the intransitive verb ढहना (dhahna), which means 'to collapse' or 'to fall down' on its own. When you use ढहाना, you are indicating an active, deliberate, or forceful action of bringing something down. This word is most commonly used in the context of physical structures, such as buildings, walls, bridges, or monuments, that are being intentionally destroyed, perhaps for urban redevelopment, as a consequence of illegal construction, or during wartime. However, the beauty of the Hindi language lies in its metaphorical extensions, and ढहाना is no exception. It is frequently employed in abstract contexts to describe the shattering or destruction of intangible things. For instance, one might 'demolish' someone's ego, 'tear down' outdated social customs, or 'destroy' an opponent's arguments in a debate. Understanding the dual nature of this word—its physical and metaphorical applications—is crucial for achieving fluency and grasping the nuances of Hindi communication. Let us delve deeper into the specific scenarios where this word shines. In everyday conversation, you might hear it on the news regarding municipal actions. For example, local authorities often bring bulldozers to demolish unauthorized buildings. In such reports, the word ढहाना is a staple. It conveys a sense of finality and destruction that simpler words like तोड़ना (to break) might not fully capture. While तोड़ना can be used for breaking a glass, a stick, or a rule, ढहाना is reserved for larger, more structural entities. The scale of destruction implied by ढहाना is significant. Furthermore, in literature and poetry, this verb is used to evoke strong imagery of ruin and devastation. When a poet writes about the passage of time demolishing the grandest of empires, ढहाना is the perfect lexical choice. It carries a certain gravitas, a weight that emphasizes the magnitude of the fall. To truly master this word, learners should pay attention to its collocations. Words like इमारत (building), दीवार (wall), किला (fort), and अहंकार (ego) frequently pair with ढहाना. By associating the verb with these nouns, learners can build a more natural and intuitive understanding of its usage. Let us look at some structural breakdowns and examples to solidify this concept.
Physical Destruction
Used when physical structures like buildings, bridges, or walls are intentionally brought down using force or machinery.
Metaphorical Destruction
Applied to abstract concepts such as someone's ego, pride, hopes, or established societal norms that are forcefully dismantled.
Causative Action
Highlights that an external agent is causing the action, contrasting with the intransitive form where something falls on its own.

सरकार ने पुरानी इमारत को ढहाना शुरू कर दिया है।

भूकंप ने कई घरों को ढहा दिया।

उसकी असफलता ने उसके घमंड को ढहा दिया।

हमें समाज की कुरीतियों को ढहाना होगा।

दुश्मन के किले को ढहाना आसान नहीं था।

Using ढहाना correctly in sentences requires a solid understanding of Hindi verb conjugation, transitivity, and the ergative case (ने construction). Because ढहाना is a transitive verb, whenever you use it in the perfective aspect (past tense forms like 'demolished', 'has demolished', 'had demolished'), the subject must take the postposition ने (ne). This is a fundamental rule in Hindi grammar that often trips up English speakers. When the subject takes ने, the verb agrees in gender and number with the direct object, not the subject. For example, in the sentence 'मज़दूरों ने दीवार ढहाई' (The workers demolished the wall), the verb 'ढहाई' is feminine singular because 'दीवार' (wall) is feminine singular, even though 'मज़दूरों' (workers) is masculine plural. This agreement rule is critical for sounding natural. In non-perfective tenses, such as the present habitual, future, or continuous tenses, the subject does not take ने, and the verb agrees with the subject as usual. For instance, 'मज़दूर दीवार ढहा रहे हैं' (The workers are demolishing the wall). Here, 'ढहा रहे हैं' agrees with the masculine plural subject 'मज़दूर'. Another common way to use this verb is in compound verb formations, particularly with 'देना' (to give). Using 'ढहा देना' instead of just 'ढहाना' adds a sense of completion, suddenness, or finality to the action. It implies that the demolition was carried out thoroughly or completely. For example, 'उन्होंने पूरी इमारत ढहा दी' (They completely demolished the entire building) sounds more natural and emphatic than 'उन्होंने पूरी इमारत ढहाई'. The compound verb structure is extremely prevalent in conversational Hindi and mastering it will significantly elevate your fluency. Furthermore, when using ढहाना in the passive voice, the structure changes. The passive voice is formed by using the perfective participle of the main verb followed by the appropriate form of जाना (to go). For example, 'इमारत ढहाई गई' means 'The building was demolished'. This is particularly useful in news reports or formal contexts where the agent of the action is unknown or less important than the action itself. Let us explore various sentence structures through detailed examples and breakdowns to ensure a comprehensive understanding of how to weave this powerful verb into your daily Hindi communication.
Perfective Tense with 'ने'
In past tenses, the subject takes 'ने' and the verb agrees with the object. Example: ठेकेदार ने घर ढहा दिया (The contractor demolished the house).
Continuous Tense
The subject does not take 'ने', and the verb agrees with the subject. Example: वे पुरानी दुकान ढहा रहे हैं (They are demolishing the old shop).
Passive Voice
Used when the focus is on the object being demolished. Example: अवैध निर्माण ढहाया जाएगा (The illegal construction will be demolished).

तूफान ने कई कच्चे मकानों को ढहा दिया।

वे कल सुबह इस पुल को ढहाएंगे।

उसकी बातों ने मेरे विश्वास को ढहा दिया।

क्या तुम इस दीवार को ढहा सकते हो?

बिना अनुमति के बनी इमारत को ढहाया जा रहा है।

The verb ढहाना is not just a textbook word; it is a highly active part of the Hindi vocabulary that you will encounter in various real-life contexts. One of the most prominent places you will hear this word is in news broadcasts and journalism. Indian news channels frequently report on civic issues, urban development, and legal enforcement. When a municipality decides to take action against illegal encroachments or unauthorized constructions, the headlines will invariably feature the word ढहाना. You might hear phrases like 'अवैध निर्माण ढहाया गया' (illegal construction was demolished) or 'प्रशासन ने इमारत ढहाने के आदेश दिए' (the administration ordered the demolition of the building). In these contexts, the word carries a formal, authoritative, and often legal weight. Another significant context is historical and political discourse. When discussing the rise and fall of empires, the destruction of forts during battles, or the tearing down of historical monuments, historians and commentators rely on this verb. It perfectly encapsulates the dramatic and forceful nature of such historical events. Moving away from the physical realm, you will also hear ढहाना in motivational speeches, psychological discussions, and everyday interpersonal conflicts. A motivational speaker might urge the audience to 'अपने डर की दीवार को ढहा दो' (tear down the wall of your fear). In a heated argument, someone might accuse another of trying to 'मेरा आत्मविश्वास ढहाना' (demolish my self-confidence). This metaphorical usage is incredibly common and adds a layer of emotional intensity to the language. Furthermore, in literature, poetry, and cinema, writers use ढहाना to create vivid imagery. A poet might describe the torrential rains demolishing the fragile hopes of a farmer, or a filmmaker might use the physical demolition of a childhood home as a metaphor for the destruction of innocence. In sports commentary, while less frequent than in news, it can be used metaphorically to describe a team completely dismantling the opposition's defense. For example, 'भारतीय टीम ने विपक्षी टीम के बल्लेबाजी क्रम को ढहा दिया' (The Indian team demolished the opposition's batting order). By paying attention to these diverse contexts—from the harsh reality of urban news to the poetic heights of literature and the emotional depths of personal conversations—learners can develop a rich, multi-faceted understanding of how and when to deploy this versatile verb effectively.
News Media
Frequently used to report on the demolition of illegal structures, old buildings, or urban redevelopment projects.
Metaphorical Speech
Used in motivational contexts to describe tearing down mental barriers, fears, or someone's excessive pride.
Historical Contexts
Common in discussions about the destruction of forts, cities, or empires during wars and conquests.

आज सुबह नगर निगम ने अतिक्रमण को ढहा दिया।

उसने अपनी मेहनत से गरीबी की दीवार को ढहा दिया।

इतिहास गवाह है कि समय ने बड़े-बड़े साम्राज्यों को ढहाया है।

हमें अपने मन के भीतर के अंधविश्वासों को ढहाना चाहिए।

विपक्षी टीम के हौसले को ढहाना हमारी पहली रणनीति थी।

When learning the verb ढहाना, English speakers often encounter several stumbling blocks due to structural differences between Hindi and English. The most frequent and significant mistake is confusing the transitive verb ढहाना (to demolish/cause to fall) with its intransitive counterpart ढहना (to collapse/fall on its own). In English, the word 'collapse' or 'fall' can sometimes be used ambiguously, but in Hindi, the distinction is rigid. If a building falls down due to an earthquake without direct human intervention, you must use the intransitive form: 'इमारत ढह गई' (The building collapsed). If you say 'इमारत ढहा गई', it is grammatically incorrect and confusing, as it implies the building itself demolished something else. Conversely, if workers are tearing down the building, you must use the transitive form: 'मज़दूरों ने इमारत ढहाई' (The workers demolished the building). Using 'मज़दूरों ने इमारत ढह गई' is entirely incorrect. Another common error relates to the ergative case marker 'ने'. Because ढहाना is transitive, any past perfective tense requires the subject to take 'ने', and the verb must agree with the object. Learners often forget the 'ने' or make the verb agree with the subject. For instance, a male speaker might incorrectly say 'मैं दीवार ढहाया' instead of the correct 'मैंने दीवार ढहाई' (I demolished the wall, where 'दीवार' is feminine, dictating the feminine verb form 'ढहाई'). Furthermore, learners sometimes misuse ढहाना for small, non-structural objects. You would not use ढहाना to say 'I broke the glass' or 'I snapped the pencil'. For small items, verbs like तोड़ना (to break) are appropriate. ढहाना implies a significant structural collapse, typically of something built or erected, whether physical (like a wall) or abstract (like an ego). Using it for a teacup sounds comical to a native speaker. Lastly, pronunciation can be tricky. The double 'ह' (h) sound in the root and the suffix needs to be articulated clearly. The word is 'dha-ha-na'. Swallowing the middle 'h' sound can make it sound like 'dhana', which means wealth, leading to complete miscommunication. Paying close attention to transitivity, the 'ने' rule, appropriate scale, and clear pronunciation will help learners avoid these common pitfalls and use the word with confidence.
Confusing Transitive and Intransitive
Using ढहाना (to demolish) when you mean ढहना (to collapse on its own). Remember, ढहाना requires an agent doing the demolishing.
Forgetting the 'ने' construction
In past tenses, failing to add 'ने' to the subject and not making the verb agree with the object's gender and number.
Using for Small Objects
Applying ढहाना to breaking small items like a plate or a stick, instead of large structures or abstract concepts.

Incorrect: इमारत ढहा गई। Correct: इमारत ढह गई। (The building collapsed.)

Incorrect: मैं दीवार ढहाया। Correct: मैंने दीवार ढहाई। (I demolished the wall.)

Incorrect: उसने गिलास ढहा दिया। Correct: उसने गिलास तोड़ दिया। (He broke the glass.)

Incorrect: पेड़ ढहा गया। Correct: पेड़ गिर गया। (The tree fell down.)

Incorrect: वह घर ढहना चाहता है। Correct: वह घर ढहाना चाहता है। (He wants to demolish the house.)

The Hindi language offers a rich tapestry of vocabulary to describe destruction, breaking, and dismantling. While ढहाना is specific to demolishing structures or bringing down large entities, there are several synonyms and related words that learners should know to express varying degrees and types of destruction. Understanding the nuances between these words will greatly enhance your precision in Hindi. A very common alternative is गिराना (girana), which simply means 'to drop' or 'to cause to fall'. While you can say 'इमारत गिराना' (to bring down a building), गिराना is much broader. You can drop a pen (पेन गिराना) or drop a catch in cricket (कैच गिराना), but you cannot use ढहाना for these actions. ढहाना implies a structural dismantling, whereas गिराना is just the physical act of causing something to go downwards. Another closely related word is तोड़ना (todna), meaning 'to break'. This is used for snapping, fracturing, or breaking objects into pieces. You can break a stick (लकड़ी तोड़ना) or break a rule (नियम तोड़ना). While you can say 'दीवार तोड़ना' (to break a wall), 'दीवार ढहाना' emphasizes bringing the entire structure down to the ground, rather than just breaching it. For more formal or extreme destruction, the word नष्ट करना (nasht karna) is used. This means 'to destroy' completely and can be applied to crops, evidence, peace, or entire cities. It focuses on the total annihilation or ruin of the object, rather than just the physical collapse implied by ढहाना. Similarly, बर्बाद करना (barbaad karna) means 'to ruin' or 'to waste', often used for lives, time, or money, rather than physical buildings. Another excellent synonym for physical demolition is ज़मींदोज़ करना (zameendoz karna), a beautiful Urdu-derived compound meaning 'to raze to the ground' (literally, to make it kiss the earth). This is highly formal and dramatic, often used in historical or intense news contexts. Choosing the right word depends on the scale of the object, the completeness of the destruction, and the formality of the situation. By comparing these alternatives, you can see exactly where ढहाना fits into the spectrum of Hindi verbs of destruction.
गिराना (Girana)
Means 'to drop' or 'cause to fall'. Broader than ढहाना; can be used for dropping small objects or bringing down buildings, but lacks the specific 'demolition' nuance.
तोड़ना (Todna)
Means 'to break'. Used for objects that snap or shatter, like glass, wood, or rules. Less about structural collapse and more about fracturing.
नष्ट करना (Nasht Karna)
Means 'to destroy completely'. Highly formal, used for total annihilation of physical things (like crops or evidence) or abstract concepts (like peace).
ज़मींदोज़ करना (Zameendoz Karna)
Means 'to raze to the ground'. A poetic and formal alternative to ढहाना, emphasizing complete flattening of a structure.

उसने पुरानी दीवार को गिरा दिया। (He brought down the old wall - less formal than ढहाना).

बच्चे ने खिलौना तोड़ दिया। (The child broke the toy - ढहाना cannot be used here).

आग ने पूरी फसल को नष्ट कर दिया। (The fire destroyed the entire crop).

सेना ने दुश्मन के बंकर को ज़मींदोज़ कर दिया। (The army razed the enemy bunker to the ground).

सरकार ने अवैध निर्माण को ढहा दिया। (The government demolished the illegal construction).

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Examples by Level

1

यह मशीन घर ढहा रही है।

This machine is demolishing the house.

Present continuous tense. Subject + Object + Verb.

2

क्या तुम यह दीवार ढहा सकते हो?

Can you demolish this wall?

Modal verb 'सकना' (can) used with the root verb.

3

वे कल स्कूल ढहाएंगे।

They will demolish the school tomorrow.

Future tense, masculine plural agreement with 'वे'.

4

मुझे वह पुरानी इमारत ढहानी है।

I have to demolish that old building.

Infinitive used expressing obligation. Verb agrees with feminine object 'इमारत'.

5

मज़दूर घर ढहाते हैं।

Workers demolish houses.

Present habitual tense. Plural subject.

6

कृपया इस दीवार को मत ढहाओ।

Please do not demolish this wall.

Imperative mood with 'मत' (do not).

7

हम नया घर बनाने के लिए पुराना घर ढहा रहे हैं।

We are demolishing the old house to build a new one.

Using 'के लिए' (for/to) to show purpose.

8

कौन यह घर ढहा रहा है?

Who is demolishing this house?

Question word 'कौन' (who) as the subject.

1

पुलिस ने कल वह झोपड़ी ढहा दी।

The police demolished that hut yesterday.

Past perfective tense. Subject takes 'ने', verb 'ढहा दी' agrees with feminine 'झोपड़ी'.

2

अगर तुम यह खंभा ढहाओगे, तो छत गिर जाएगी।

If you demolish this pillar, the roof will fall.

Conditional sentence using 'अगर... तो' (if... then).

3

उन्होंने बिना पूछे मेरी दुकान ढहा दी।

They demolished my shop without asking.

Use of 'बिना पूछे' (without asking).

4

सरकार को ये खतरनाक इमारतें ढहानी चाहिए।

The government should demolish these dangerous buildings.

Use of 'चाहिए' (should) with the infinitive verb agreeing with the object.

5

जब मैं वहाँ पहुँचा, वे दीवार ढहा रहे थे।

When I reached there, they were demolishing the wall.

Past continuous tense describing an ongoing action in the past.

6

यह पुल ढहाना बहुत मुश्किल काम है।

Demolishing this bridge is a very difficult task.

Using the infinitive 'ढहाना' as a verbal noun (gerund).

7

उन्होंने सारा पुराना ढांचा ढहा कर नया बनाया।

Having demolished the entire old structure, they built a new one.

Conjunctive participle using 'कर' (having done).

8

मुझे लगता है कि वे कल इसे ढहा देंगे।

I think that they will demolish it tomorrow.

Complex sentence with 'कि' (that) and compound verb in future tense.

1

नगर निगम ने अतिक्रमण विरोधी अभियान के तहत कई दुकानें ढहा दीं।

The municipal corporation demolished several shops under the anti-encroachment drive.

Formal vocabulary ('अतिक्रमण विरोधी अभियान') and past perfective plural feminine agreement ('दीं').

2

उसकी एक गलती ने उसके सालों के बनाए करियर को ढहा दिया।

One mistake of his demolished his career built over years.

Metaphorical use of the verb applied to an abstract concept ('करियर').

3

कल तक इस पुरानी हवेली को ढहाया जा चुका होगा।

By tomorrow, this old mansion will have been demolished.

Future perfect passive voice ('ढहाया जा चुका होगा').

4

लगातार हो रही बारिश ने मिट्टी के घरों को ढहाना शुरू कर दिया है।

The continuous rain has started to demolish the mud houses.

Using 'शुरू कर दिया है' (has started to) with the infinitive.

5

विपक्ष के तर्कों को ढहाने के लिए उसने ठोस सबूत पेश किए।

He presented solid evidence to demolish the opposition's arguments.

Metaphorical use with abstract noun 'तर्क' (arguments) and infinitive of purpose.

6

यह किला इतना मजबूत था कि तोपें भी इसे ढहा नहीं सकीं।

This fort was so strong that even cannons could not demolish it.

Use of 'सकना' in negative past perfective ('नहीं सकीं').

7

जैसे ही आदेश मिला, बुलडोज़र ने इमारत को ढहाना चालू कर दिया।

As soon as the order was received, the bulldozer started demolishing the building.

Structure 'जैसे ही... वैसे ही' implied, with 'चालू कर दिया' (started).

8

बिना उचित मुआवज़े के लोगों के घर ढहाना अन्याय है।

Demolishing people's houses without proper compensation is an injustice.

Verbal noun as the subject of a philosophical/ethical statement.

1

भ्रष्टाचार के खिलाफ इस लड़ाई में हमें पुराने सिस्टम को पूरी तरह से ढहाना होगा।

In this fight against corruption, we will have to completely demolish the old system.

Metaphorical use for systemic change, using compulsion structure 'होगा' (will have to).

2

अहंका

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