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{{Short description|Turkic | {{Short description|Turkic honorific title for females}} | ||
{{Other uses}} | |||
[[File:A noble lady, Mughal dynasty, India. 17th century.jpg|thumb|Begum [[Malika-uz-Zamani]], wife of the [[Mughal Emperor]] [[Muhammad Shah]].]] | [[File:A noble lady, Mughal dynasty, India. 17th century.jpg|thumb|Begum [[Malika-uz-Zamani]], wife of the [[Mughal Emperor]] [[Muhammad Shah]].]] | ||
'''Begum''' (also ''' | '''Begum''' (also '''Begüm''', '''Bagum''', '''Begom''', '''Begam''', '''Baigum''' or '''Beygum''') is an [[honorific]] title from [[Central Asia|Central]] and [[South Asia]], often used by leading women in society, including [[Royal family|royals]], [[aristocrat]]s, [[first lady|first ladies]] and [[prime minister]]s.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hemenway |first1=Stephen Ignatius |title=The Novel of India: The Anglo-Indian novel |date=1975 |publisher=Writers Workshop |page=107 |language=en |quote=Begum (Hindi), Moslem princess or lady of high rank.}}</ref> It is the feminine equivalent of the title ''[[baig]]'' or ''[[bey]]'', which in [[Turkic languages]] means "higher official". It usually refers to the wife or daughter of a ''[[Bey|beg]]''.<ref>{{cite book|author=Yılmaz Öztuna|title=Devletler ve Handeanlar|volume=1|publisher=Ministry of Culture|location=Ankara|year=1996|page=944}}</ref> The related form ''[[begzada]]'' (daughter of a ''beg'') also occurs.<ref name=begzadi>Moazzambaig, [http://www.digg.com/news/world_news/begzadah Begzadi or Begzada] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428113016/http://digg.com/news/world_news/begzadah |date=2019-04-28 }}. [[Digg]].com: Social News. Retrieved July 8, 2011.</ref> | ||
In [[ | In the [[Indian subcontinent]], particularly in [[Delhi]], [[Hyderabad]], [[Sindh]], [[Punjab]], [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] and [[Bengal]], ''begum'' has been adapted for use as an honorific for [[Muslim women]] of high [[social status]], accomplishment, or rank, as in English language the title "[[Lady]]" or "[[Dame]]" is used. | ||
==Title== | ==Title== | ||
{{Main|Begum (name)}} | {{Main|Begum (name)}} | ||
[[File:A fat Begum inscribed Hur Khanum Mughlani, Deccan, ca.1625.jpg|thumb|A Begum inscribed Hur Khanum Mughlani, Deccan, ca.1625]] | |||
== In modern society == | == In modern society == | ||
Colloquially, the term is also used in [[Uzbekistan]], [[India]], [[Pakistan]] and [[Bangladesh]] by Muslim men to refer to their own wives, daughters, sisters or as an honorific address to a married or widowed woman. | Colloquially, the term is also used in [[Uzbekistan]], [[India]], [[Pakistan]] and [[Bangladesh]] by Muslim men to refer to their own wives, daughters, sisters or as an honorific address to a married or widowed woman. | ||
In Bangladesh the term has been used for the titles of current and former [[First Lady of Bangladesh]] e.g. Begum [[Khaleda Zia]] and Begum [[Rowshan Ershad]]. It has also been used to refer to women of high social status such as | In Bangladesh the term has been used for the titles of current and former [[First Lady of Bangladesh]] e.g. Begum [[Khaleda Zia]], Begum [[Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib|Fazilatunnesa Mujib]] and Begum [[Rowshan Ershad]]. It has also been used to refer to women of high social status such as philanthropists, activists, authors and many others such as [[Begum Rokeya]] and [[Begum Sufia Kamal]]. [[Khaleda Zia]] and [[Sheikh Hasina]], who have alternated as Prime Ministers of Bangladesh since 1991, are nicknamed "the battling begums".<ref>{{cite news|last=Rowlatt |first=Justin |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-42999503 |title= Bangladesh grows tired of the Battling Begums |publisher= BBC |date= November 2008 |access-date= 24 September 2019}}</ref> | ||
The term became well known in the West, especially in the [[Francophone world|French-speaking world]], due to [[Jules Verne]]'s 1879 novel ''[[The Begum's Millions]]''. | The term became well known in the West, especially in the [[Francophone world| French-speaking world]], due to [[Jules Verne]]'s 1879 novel ''[[The Begum's Millions]]''. | ||
The term had earlier become known in [[United Kingdom|Great Britain]] during the [[impeachment]] and [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliamentary]] trial of [[Warren Hastings]], former [[Governor-General of India]], which lasted from 1787 until 1795. One of the major charges against Hastings was that he had unjustly confiscated land belonging to the "Begums of [[Awadh|Oudh]]" (the mother and grandmother of [[Asaf-Ud-Dowlah]], [[Nawab of Awadh|Nawab of Oudh]]).{{cn|date=July 2013}} | The term had earlier become known in [[United Kingdom|Great Britain]] during the [[impeachment]] and [[Parliament of the United Kingdom| Parliamentary]] trial of [[Warren Hastings]], former [[Governor-General of India]], which lasted from 1787 until 1795. One of the major charges against Hastings was that he had unjustly confiscated land (and thus taxes) belonging to the "Begums of [[Awadh|Oudh]]" (the mother and grandmother of [[Asaf-Ud-Dowlah]], [[Nawab of Awadh|Nawab of Oudh]]).{{cn|date=July 2013}} | ||
[[Begumpet]] is one of the major commercial and residential suburbs of the city of [[Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh|Hyderabad]], | [[Begumpet]] is one of the major commercial and residential suburbs of the city of [[Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh| Hyderabad]], India. Begumpet stands on land given by the [[Mahboob Ali Khan | sixth]] [[Nizam of Hyderabad]] (in office: 1869-1911) to his daughter as her wedding present when she married a [[Paigah family |Paigah]] noble.{{cn|date=July 2013}} | ||
[[ | Members of the [[Pakistan]]i community of Toronto refer to [[Mississauga]], [[Ontario]], Canada (a suburb of [[Toronto]]) as ''Begumpura'' ("Ladies' Town"). Mississauga has a large Pakistani immigrant community and many husbands work in the [[Persian Gulf]] and [[Saudi Arabia]] while their wives and children live in Mississauga.<ref name="Begumpura">{{Cite web |url= http://www.mediamonitors.net/tahir1.html |title= Muslim immigrants to Canada facing discrimination and social problems |access-date=2009-06-24 |archive-date=2012-07-04 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120704221737/http://www.mediamonitors.net/tahir1.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> | ||
Among the [[Nizari Ismaili]] people, the title is also used as the official style of the consort of their imam, the [[Aga Khan]]. | Among the [[Nizari Ismaili]] people, the title is also used as the official style of the consort of their imam, the [[Aga Khan]]. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*[[Khanum]] | *[[Khanum]] | ||
*[[Khatun]] | *[[Khatun]] | ||
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== References == | == References == | ||
<references/>{{Authority control}} | <references/>{{Authority control}} | ||
[[Category:Noble titles]] | [[Category:Noble titles of women]] | ||
[[Category:Women's social titles]] | [[Category:Women's social titles]] | ||
[[Category:Royal titles]] | [[Category:Royal titles]] | ||
[[Category:Turkic culture]] | [[Category:Turkic culture]] | ||
[[Category:Turkish titles]] | [[Category:Turkish titles]] | ||
[[Category:Pakistani names]] | [[Category:Pakistani names]] | ||
[[Category:Titles in Pakistan]] | [[Category:Titles in Pakistan]] | ||
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[[Category:Titles]] | [[Category:Titles]] | ||
[[Category:Titles of national or ethnic leadership]] | [[Category:Titles of national or ethnic leadership]] | ||
[[Category:Mughal | [[Category:Nobility from the Mughal Empire]] | ||
[[Category:History of women in India]] | |||
[[Category:Urdu surnames]] | |||
Latest revision as of 03:51, 14 February 2026
Begum (also Begüm, Bagum, Begom, Begam, Baigum or Beygum) is an honorific title from Central and South Asia, often used by leading women in society, including royals, aristocrats, first ladies and prime ministers.[1] It is the feminine equivalent of the title baig or bey, which in Turkic languages means "higher official". It usually refers to the wife or daughter of a beg.[2] The related form begzada (daughter of a beg) also occurs.[3]
In the Indian subcontinent, particularly in Delhi, Hyderabad, Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Bengal, begum has been adapted for use as an honorific for Muslim women of high social status, accomplishment, or rank, as in English language the title "Lady" or "Dame" is used.
Title[edit | edit source]
In modern society[edit | edit source]
Colloquially, the term is also used in Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh by Muslim men to refer to their own wives, daughters, sisters or as an honorific address to a married or widowed woman.
In Bangladesh the term has been used for the titles of current and former First Lady of Bangladesh e.g. Begum Khaleda Zia, Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib and Begum Rowshan Ershad. It has also been used to refer to women of high social status such as philanthropists, activists, authors and many others such as Begum Rokeya and Begum Sufia Kamal. Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, who have alternated as Prime Ministers of Bangladesh since 1991, are nicknamed "the battling begums".[4]
The term became well known in the West, especially in the French-speaking world, due to Jules Verne's 1879 novel The Begum's Millions.
The term had earlier become known in Great Britain during the impeachment and Parliamentary trial of Warren Hastings, former Governor-General of India, which lasted from 1787 until 1795. One of the major charges against Hastings was that he had unjustly confiscated land (and thus taxes) belonging to the "Begums of Oudh" (the mother and grandmother of Asaf-Ud-Dowlah, Nawab of Oudh).[citation needed]
Begumpet is one of the major commercial and residential suburbs of the city of Hyderabad, India. Begumpet stands on land given by the sixth Nizam of Hyderabad (in office: 1869-1911) to his daughter as her wedding present when she married a Paigah noble.[citation needed]
Members of the Pakistani community of Toronto refer to Mississauga, Ontario, Canada (a suburb of Toronto) as Begumpura ("Ladies' Town"). Mississauga has a large Pakistani immigrant community and many husbands work in the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia while their wives and children live in Mississauga.[5]
Among the Nizari Ismaili people, the title is also used as the official style of the consort of their imam, the Aga Khan.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Hemenway, Stephen Ignatius (1975). The Novel of India: The Anglo-Indian novel. Writers Workshop. p. 107.
Begum (Hindi), Moslem princess or lady of high rank.
- ↑ Yılmaz Öztuna (1996). Devletler ve Handeanlar. Vol. 1. Ankara: Ministry of Culture. p. 944.
- ↑ Moazzambaig, Begzadi or Begzada Archived 2019-04-28 at the Wayback Machine. Digg.com: Social News. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
- ↑ Rowlatt, Justin (November 2008). "Bangladesh grows tired of the Battling Begums". BBC. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
- ↑ "Muslim immigrants to Canada facing discrimination and social problems". Archived from the original on 2012-07-04. Retrieved 2009-06-24.