Agha (; ; ; "chief, master, lord") 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 the 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. Outside of rural communities, this title is also used for any man who is influential or respected.
Etymology The word agha entered English from Turkish, and the Turkish word comes from the Old Turkic aqa, meaning "elder brother". It is an equivalent of the Mongolian word aqa or aka.
Other uses "Agha" is nowadays used as a common Persian honorific title for men, the equivalent of "mister" in English.Khani, S., and R. Yousefi. "The study of address terms and their translation from Persian to English." (2014). The corresponding honorific term for women is khanum which is also of Turkic origin.
See also
State organisation of the Ottoman Empire Agha Petros Agaluk Aga Khan Agha of the Janissaries Kapi Agha Kizlar Agha Silahdar Agha Ziad Agha
References