क़ौम

Meaning

A nation, community, people, or tribe.

Detailed Meaning

In Urdu poetry, 'qaum' denotes a collective body of people bound by a common heritage, faith, or political destiny. In this couplet, it specifically critiques the fallen Muslim community of India that squandered the magnificent heritage of the Timurid dynasty. The term emphasizes collective negligence and cultural decline rather than individual fault.

Etymology

From Arabic q-w-m (ق-و-م), connected to the idea of standing upright, rising, or a body of people standing together.

Usage

While traditional ghazals favored universal or individual themes of love, modern nazm poetry, especially that of Iqbal and Hali, repositioned 'qaum' as a central vehicle for political and social awakening.

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