Word Meaning
बाज-ख़्वाह
bāj-khwāh
Meaning
One who demands tribute, toll, or compensation; an exacter of dues.
Detailed Meaning
In Persian and classical Urdu poetry, 'bāj-khwāh' denotes a claimant or collector of tribute, tax, or retribution. In Ghalib's verse, madness is metaphorically cast as an aggressive claimant demanding tranquility ('taskīn') as its rightful compensation. It portrays the intense inner frenzy acting like an exacter of dues for the soul's lost peace.
Etymology
Persian: compound of 'bāj' (tribute, tax, toll) and 'khwāh' (present stem of 'khwāstan', meaning to demand or wish).
Usage
In classical ghazal poetry, it is used metaphorically for a relentless claimant demanding recompense or toll.
Examples
bāj-khwāh-e-sukūn ban kar dil kī be-qarārī ubhrī
ishq har qadam par ek nayā bāj-khwāh ban gayā