Agha (Ottoman Empire)

Agha ( today's Turkish letters: Aga, Cyrillic Ага ) is a title of Mongolian origin.

The title has different meanings in the various Turkic languages ​​: In Turkish, for example, it means, among other things " Elder brother" and in the Yakut "Father." For other meanings, such as " uncle ", " grandfather " and "older sister " are also in use. The Mongols used the term as a term of respect meaning " older brother " or " older family member ."

In the Ottoman language Agha / اغا meant " leader ", "Lord" or " land owners ". Agha was in the Ottoman Empire, a title for civil and military dignitaries. In the military, he called initially the commander of a type of weapon, such as the commander of the Janissaries ( Yeniçeri Agasi / يکيچرى اغاسی ), or the artillery ( Topçu Aga ). Later Agha designated a captain and civilian officials of the same rank.

The next higher title was Bey. The commanders of the Janissaries, however, ranked on a par with the Pasha's why tion states them two to three Ross tails as a badge of rank.

The title was hired called back and was until the early 19th century form of address for all those for whom the term "Lord" ( bey or efendi ) does not state. Today it is often used for large landowners in eastern Turkey.

In Turkey, the title in 1934 and in Egypt in 1953 abolished.

In today's Turkey Turkish agabey the composition is used usually sanded to abi meaning older brother and is also familiar as a salutation among teenagers.

In Persian Agha is now the normal form of address for men: Agha -ye Hedayat = Mr. Hedayat. ( For women we say Khanom. )

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