Mirza Ghalib Biography
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| Mirza Ghalib |
In the
18th century, Urdu language spread a lot. The century witnessed the
vigorous growth of Urdu poetry. Among the upper classes of the northern India,
Urdu gradually became the medium of social intercourse. Urdu literature mainly
Urdu poetry produced brilliant poets like Mir, Nazir and Sauda. In the
19th century, it produced the great genius Mirza Ghalib.
Mirza
Ghalib’s full name is Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib. He wrote a lot of fine Urdu
poems. Because of this, he is regarded as one of the greatest Urdu poets of all
times. Besides poems he also wrote letters and prose pieces. He is equally
renowned for these.
Ghalib
was born on December 27, 1797 in Agra, India in a prosperous and aristocratic
family. His ancestors were Turkish. They came to India in the second half of
the 18th century. They left their country to seek their fortune in the
Mughal court. When Ghalib was 5 years old his father Abdullah Beg Khan died.
After 2 years his uncle Nasrullah Beg also died. Both of his father and uncle
were in army. Then Ghalib was sent to his maternal grandparents’ house in
Delhi. The family was wealthy and influential. Ghalib’s maternal grandparents’
provided him a good education. He was taught Persian, some Arabic, Philosophy
and Medicine. But his talents blossomed in literature, particularly Persian.
When Ghalib was 11 years old, he started writing Persian poetry.
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| Mirza Ghalib |
In 1810,
Mirza Ghalib was married to Umrao Begum. Ghalib’s father in law was Nawab Ilahi
Baksh Khan. After a few days, Mirza moved to Delhi. Poetic genius of Ghalib
came to be noticed there. He became a famous Urdu poet (Here it is to be
mentioned that Ghalib started writing Urdu verse from his school days.). He
passed his youth in luxury. But this luxurious life put him into heavy debt. He
spent last days of his life in great financial hardships and wants. Then
British Government granted him a small pension. But He had to struggle against
poverty.
This
great Urdu poet died on 15th February in 1869 in Delhi.
Mirza
Ghalib was a pioneer in modern Urdu prose. He got wide recognition in 1850. The
Last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah-II appointed him Poet Laureate in that year.
Ghalib’s fame spread far and wide. He enjoyed great popularity in Arabian
countries. ‘Diwani-i-Ghalib’, in 10 volumes is the collection of the
poetical works of Ghalib. It has been translated into several Indian and
foreign languages.
Ghalib’s
best poems were written in 3 forms : (i) Ghazal (love lyric) ;
(ii) Masnavi (Moralistic or mystical parable) and
(iii) Qasida (panegyric). As a writer and poet, he believed in using
simple words. He laid the foundation of Urdu prose. That is why he is called
the father of the modern Urdu prose.
List of Works
Collection of Letters
(1)
Urdu-i-Hindi ; (2) Urdu-i-Muallah
Prose Works
(1)
Naam-i-Ghalib ; (2) Latief-i-Gaibi ; (3) Duupshe Kawaiyani
In the
memory of this great Urdu poet, Mirza Ghalib Academy has been established in
Delhi. It has been established for research of Ghalib’s works and to encourage
Urdu literature.
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