gulam

Gulam is a term with significant historical and social connotations, primarily stemming from its use in South Asia. The word derives from the Arabic word "ghulam," which means slave or servant. Historically, it referred to enslaved people, often captured or purchased, who served in various capacities. In certain contexts, the term also denoted a freedman or a soldier in military units, particularly in the Indian subcontinent during medieval and early modern periods.

The institution of slavery, and thus the concept of a gulam, was present in many societies across different time periods. In the context of South Asia, ghulams were sometimes used as soldiers, administrators, and domestic servants. Their status and treatment varied greatly depending on the era and the specific ruler or household. Over time, the term's usage evolved, and in some instances, it was used more broadly to indicate a loyal follower or devotee, often in a spiritual or political sense, without necessarily implying servitude in the literal sense. However, its primary historical association remains with subjugation and bondage.