Word Meaning
आहट
āhaṭ
Meaning
Faint sound, rustle, or footsteps indicating movement or stealthy approach.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu poetry, 'āhaṭ' refers to the delicate sound of footsteps or subtle motion, often tied to longing and stealth. In this couplet, it highlights how slyly the boys of Delhi steal hearts, doing so without making even the slightest sound. It emphasizes complete secrecy and effortless charm in love's theft.
Etymology
Indo-Aryan vernacular/Prakrit origin; an onomatopoeic development describing a soft rustle or step.
Usage
Frequently used in classical ghazals to capture the lover's breathless anticipation of the beloved's arrival or the quiet onset of grief.
Examples
Waiting anxiously for the faint sound of footsteps
She slipped away without making even a whisper of sound