Indo-Persian Royal and Noble Ranks

Emperor : Sultan, Shah

King : Sultan, Shah

Royal Prince : Shahzada, Mirza

Noble Prince : Mirza, Sahibzada

Nobleman: Nawab, Baig

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Baig, also commonly spelled Beg or Begg, (Persian بیگ, Turkish Beg/Bey) was a title of Turko-Persian Origin, which is today used as a surname or middle name to identify lineage. It means Cheif or Commander and is common in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Iran, Central Asia and Eastern Europe (former Yugoslav) and among their respective diaspora. The spellings Beg, Bey, Bek (Turkish), Begovic (Bosnian), Begovich (Slavic), Begzada, Begzadi (Persian) and Bik (Western China) are also found.

Etymology and History[link]

The name Baig originates from a Turkic-Mongal clan called Barlas (the main tribe of the Timurids). The Barlas tribe and their descendants established Turko-Persian empires in Central Asia, Eastern Europe, Middle East and later South Asia.

The name Baig is derived from the Turkic word Beg or Bey, which means commander or chief (i.e. military leader.) Baig/Beg was a title given to honorary members of the Barlas clan, and was subsequently used as the family name for their children. The name is most common among the descendants of the Moghal Dynasty of South Asia. The members of the Moghal Dynasty belonged to the Barlas clan and "Baigs" were high ranking military leaders and advisors to the Moghal Royal Families. They were also granted the Princely title of Mirza, to signify their high ranking among the aristocracy and ruling-class. Baigs occupied the upper echelons of society in the conquered parts of South Asia.

Beg was also subsequently used as a military rank in the Ottoman Empire. (See: Bey).

It was also used during the Qing Dynasty in China. When the Qing Dynasty ruled Xinjiang, it permitted the Turkic Begs to maintain their previous status, and they administered the province for the Qing as officials.^[1][2] High ranking Begs were allowed to wear the Queue.^[3]

Use as a Name[link]

For the Moghal use, the honorific title Mirza (Persian: مرزا‎) was added before the given name for all the males and 'Baig' (Persian: بیگ‎) for the males or Begum (Persian: بگوم‎) for the females, was added as a family name. For example: Mirza Mansur Baig or Noor Begum. This was the historical naming convention for the descendants of the Moghal Dynasty. Today, however, it is not uncommon to see descendants of the Moghals use Baig as a middle name and Mirza as the surname or vice versa. For example: Mansur Baig Mirza or Mansur Mirza Baig.

For the Slavic or Bosniak use, it is common to see the name Beg added to the Slavic suffix of 'ovic', 'ovich', which roughly means 'descendant of'. For Example: Mensur Begovic.

For the Persian use, it is common to see the name Beg added to the Persian suffix of 'zada' (male), 'zadi' (female), which means 'son of' or 'daughter of'. For Example: Mansur Begzada or Noor Begzadi.

For the Turkish use, it is most common to see the spelling Beg or Bey utilized. (Sometimes, it is used along with the title "Mirza", similar to the Moghal usage).

There are various other alternative spellings used today as well, such as: Begg, Beigh, Beyg, Bayg.

Notable Begs/Baigs[link]

• Alija Izetbegovic
• Asmir Begovic
• Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan

References[link]

•  This article incorporates text from Life among the Chinese: with characteristic sketches and incidents of missionary operations and prospects in China, by Robert Samuel Maclay, a publication from 1861 now in the public domain in the United States.

This page or section lists people with the surname nocat. If an internal link intending to refer to a specific person led you to this page, you may wish to change that link by adding the person's given name(s) to the link.

Waris Baig, is a Pakistani singer. He was born in Lahore, Punjab.

Waris Baig started his career as a playback singer from Syed Noor's film Sangam released in 1997. His first song, Aa Pyar Dil Mein Basa for film Sangam, was super-hit.

His Hit songs[link]

• Aa Pyar Dil Mein Basa
• Janoori Soorat Dikha Teri
• Ik Dilber Se Ankh Mili
• Challa, Mor De
• Lak Patla Te Lenhga Tera Pari Tu Holi Holi Nach Kuriye
• Surmai Badalon Ke Peechhay
• Mujhe Chand Chahiye
• Suno Suno Bolo Bolo
• Yeh Soni Kurdi (Jo Dar Gaya Woh Mar Gaya Soundtrack)
• Meharaban chalo

External links[link]

• Waris Baig at the Internet Movie Database
• Waris Baig's interview - The Post

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