Begum

Begum, begam, baigum or beygum (Turkish: begüm, Persian: بیگم‎‎, Urdu: بیگم‎) is a female royal and aristocratic title from Central and South Asia. It is the feminine equivalent of the title baig or bey, which in Turkic languages means "higher official". It usually refers to the wife or daughter of a beg. The related form begzadi (daughter of a beg) also occurs.

In South Asia, particularly in Punjab, Sindh, Hyderabad, Delhi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, begum has been adapted for use as an honorific for Muslim women of high social status.

Examples

Some examples of women with the title of begum are:

Begum in modern society

Colloquially, the term is also used in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh by Muslim men to refer to their own wives or as an honorific address to a married or widowed woman.

Begum (name)

Begum is a female title which is also used in Mirza, Daughter of Beg or Wife of Beg a given name and surname.

Given name

Surname

Places

See also