Word Meaning
माँगा
māñgā
Meaning
Demanded, sought, asked for, or petitioned.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu poetics, 'māñgā' functions as the past tense form of the verb 'māṅgnā' (to ask, seek, or demand). In this couplet by Ghalib, personified concepts—despair and hope—are portrayed as contenders who have demanded a battleground ('maidān') to resolve their mutual conflict. It underscores the profound existential tension between conflicting desires within the human heart.
Etymology
Sanskrit 'मार्गति' (mārgati, to seek/strive) through Prakrit 'मग्गइ' (maggai), developing into Hindustani 'माँगना' / مانگنا.
Usage
Widely used in the ghazal tradition to denote the lover's earnest prayers for union, mercy, or an end to torment.
Examples
Asked for death, yet received an endless life of sorrow.
The seeker demanded nothing save a glance of benevolence.