Word Meaning
दरबान
darbān
Meaning
A doorkeeper, gatekeeper, or watchman guarding an entrance.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Persian and Urdu poetry, a darbān is typically the gatekeeper stationed at the threshold of the beloved's house or royal court, serving as an obstacle for the yearning lover. In this couplet, it signifies an attendant or subordinate keeper in an act of grand poetic hyperbole, where even Gabriel (Rūhul-Qudūs) is styled as a mere humble gatekeeper of the speaker's sanctified lineage.
Etymology
Persian: compound of 'dar' (door) + '-bān' (guardian/keeper).
Usage
A frequent trope in the ghazal tradition, usually cast as a rival or heartless obstacle guarding the beloved's threshold against the lover.
Examples
The gatekeeper denied the pining lover access to the courtyard.
None may enter the sanctuary without the consent of the gatekeeper.