Word Meaning
शहाँ
Shāhān
hinoun
Meaning
Kings, monarchs, or sovereigns (plural of shah).
Detailed Meaning
In classical Persian and Urdu poetry, 'shāhān' (rendered poetically as shahaan) is the plural of 'shāh', denoting kings, emperors, or supreme rulers. In this couplet, it evokes mighty sovereigns whose exalted status once made their foot-dust as precious as gem-infused kohl, juxtaposed against their tragic blinding to highlight the fragility of earthly reign.
Etymology
Persian: from 'shāh' (king) with the animate plural suffix '-ān'.
Usage
Commonly invoked in classical poetry to underline the fleeting nature of worldly grandeur and the inevitable humiliation dealt by time.
Examples
The splendor and eventual fall of monarchs (shahaan).
Dust at the threshold of erstwhile kings.
Synonyms
सलातीनहुक्मराँख़ुसरोसम्राट
Related Words
शाहबादशाहशाहंशाहसल्तनत