Word Meaning
क़िमाश
qimaash
Meaning
Cloth, fabric, goods, or the intrinsic quality or kind of something
Detailed Meaning
Literally denoting fine woven cloth, silk, or household merchandise, 'qimaash' figuratively refers to the quality, calibre, or nature of a thing. In this couplet, it is used sarcastically to mock the poor calibre of contemporaneous poetry, pointing out that what people assemble into anthologies (diwan) is made of rags rather than fine fabric.
Etymology
Arabic (قِمَاش, qimāsh), meaning woven cloth, silk fabric, or household effects/chattels.
Usage
In classical Urdu poetry, it frequently appears metaphorically to denote the essence or calibre of human temperament, especially in the compound 'ham-qimaash' (of the same feather or cloth).
Examples
The fabric of his mind lacked subtlety.
Goods of this poor calibre fetch no praise in the market.