Word Meaning
होंगी
hongī
Meaning
Would be, must be, or shall be (feminine plural).
Detailed Meaning
In this verse by Ghalib, 'hongi' is used conjecturally to convey poignant wonder: 'What exquisite countenances must have existed!' It functions to evoke speculative admiration and sorrow over the countless departed beauties buried beneath the earth. Grammatically, it is the third-person feminine plural future or presumptive form of the verb 'hona'.
Etymology
From Prakrit hodi / hontī, derived from Old Indo-Aryan / Sanskrit root भू (bhū, 'to become, to be').
Usage
In classical Urdu poetry, future verb forms like 'hongi' frequently express contemplation, nostalgic longing, or speculative wonder rather than a simple future action.
Examples
What countenances must be lying in the dust
The desires that will surely be fulfilled