निकले थे

had set out

→ निकलना
phrase Rare #11,587
had set out Past-tense form of निकलना, used with masculine plural subjects or as a respectful form. Depending on context, it can mean that someone had left or gone out.
HI: वे सुबह जल्दी घर से निकले थे।
EN: They had left home early in the morning.

तुम दोनों भटिंडा से साथ निकले थे, यह बात सब को पता है।

Everyone knows that the two of you left Bhatinda together.

— Jab We Met (2007)

आख़िरी बार काम पर निकले थे — और अब सचमुच आख़िरी बार।

He went out to work for the last time—and now it really was the last time.

दो रुपये में आप सारा जंगल खरीदने निकले थे?

You set out to buy the whole forest for two rupees?

— Sholay (1975)