Meaning
A rich man; also a chief, commander or noble.
Literally: rich; wealthy; a lord or chief
Usage & notes
Ameer means the rich and wealthy, and also a lord or commander. Iqbal sets the ameer against the ghareeb in his social verse, exposing how the comfort of the few rests on the labour of the many. He warns the wealthy and the ruling class that an order built on such inequity has already begun to crack.
Related words
ARABIC
Daulat
Wealth, fortune, or the power and prosperity of a state; a dynasty's rule.
PERSIAN
Sarmaayadaar
A capitalist; one who owns capital and lives by it.
ARABIC
Ghareeb
A poor person; also, in the older sense, a stranger or humble wayfarer.
PERSIAN
Sarmaya
Capital or invested wealth.
PERSIAN
Sultani / Sikandari
Kingship, sovereignty, empire (sikandari = Alexander's might; qaisari = Caesar's).