Agha (title)

For the Nizari imams, see Agha Khan.
The Agha of the Janissaries
Omar Agha, officer for the Kurdish Pasha, Sheikh Mahmoud of Sulaymaniyah of Baban principality, Kurdistan, 1820[1]

Agha (Turkish: ağa;[2] Ottoman Turkish: آغا; Persian: آقا, romanized: āghā; "chief, master, lord"[3]) is an honorific title for a civilian or officer, or often part of such title. In the Ottoman times, some court functionaries and leaders of organizations like bazaar or the janissary units were entitled to the agha title. In rural communities, this term is used for people who own considerable lands and are influential in their community. Regardless of a rural community, this title is also used for any man who is influential or respected.[2]

  1. ^ Narrative of Residence in Koordistan and on the Site of Ancient Nineveh, pages 66 and 214, Claudius James Rich, Published 1836, J. Duncan, 860 pages
  2. ^ a b "ağa". Türk Dil Kurumu Sözlükleri. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  3. ^ "Online Etymology Dictionary". Etymonline.com. Retrieved 2017-06-30.