Word Meaning
नय-देखीयाँ
ne dekhīyāñ
Meaning
Saw or experienced (classical feminine plural past form with postposition 'ne').
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu, this represents the ergative marker 'ne' joined orthographically or syntactically with the archaic feminine plural past-tense verb 'dekhīyān' (modern 'dekhīñ'). In this couplet by Mir, it signifies that the beloved never truly witnessed or comprehended the lover's intense restlessness. The form reflects eighteenth-century Delhi Rekhta grammar which maintained explicit plural markers on participles.
Etymology
Sanskrit 'dṛkṣ-' / 'prekṣ-' through Prakrit into Hindustani 'dekhnā', joined with the ergative marker 'ne'.
Usage
A characteristic feature of early classical ghazal diction where feminine plural past verbs took the suffix '-iyān' instead of standard modern '-īñ'.
Examples
Never did they observe the weeping condition of these eyes.
Such sorrows were never witnessed by anyone before.