Word Meaning
तुर्कान
Turkaan
Meaning
Turks; plural form of Turk referring to the Turkish people or rulers.
Detailed Meaning
In Persian grammar, the suffix '-an' forms the plural for animate beings, hence 'Turkan' denotes 'Turks' or 'the people/rulers of Turkic descent'. In this couplet by Iqbal, it refers to powerful imperial lineages of Turkic origin, comparing the Ottoman Turks (Turkan-e Usmani) with the Timurid or Mughal dynasty (Turkan-e Taimuri). It reflects on destiny and the rise and fall of great empires.
Etymology
Persian, formed from 'Turk' (Turkish/Turkic person) + Persian plural suffix '-an'.
Usage
In classical poetry, 'Turk' or 'Turkan' often symbolized physical beauty or conquering martial power, while in modern philosophical poetry like Iqbal's, it evokes Islamic imperial history.
Examples
turkan-e-falak (the celestial Turks / planets)
turkan-e-tazi-nehad (Turks of agile/noble nature)