Begum
/ˈbeɪ.ɡəm/noun
A title formerly used for a Muslim woman of high social rank, especially in South Asia.
Did you know?Begum is the feminine counterpart of the Turkic title beg or bey, historically associated with rulers, governors, and aristocratic households.
Etymological Timeline
Early Turkic period
Turkic
beg
“A lord, chieftain, or aristocratic ruler; the ultimate origin is uncertain.”
Old Turkic
Old Turkic
bäg
“A nobleman or political leader, used as a title.”
Medieval period
Persian and Chagatai
begüm
“A high-ranking woman, especially the wife or female relative of a beg.”
16th–17th Century
Hindi/Urdu
begam
“A Muslim noblewoman or ruler’s wife in South Asian usage.”
Late 17th Century
English
begum
“A title for a Muslim woman of rank, adopted into English from South Asian usage.”
Modern English
English
Begum
“A historical or honorific title for a Muslim woman, particularly in South Asian contexts.”