History of Urdu Literature

 

·       Controversy regarding origin

Scholars have opposing views regarding the origin of Urdu language. Dr. Mahmood Sherani does not agree with the idea that Urdu originated from more than one language.

But according to Dr. Masood Hussain, Urdu originated from the combination of Persian and Haryanvi. After the Arabs took control of Sidh and Multan, native and foreign languages ​​met each other, as a result of which a new language developed.

Dr. Yusuf Hussain has agreed with Dr. Masood Hussain's opinion that Urdu originated from the combination of Persian and Haryanavi.

Thus, Urdu developed with the cooperation of many languages, which later became an independent language. Amir Khusro called it 'Hindavi' or 'Dehlavi', it is also called Rekhta.

·       Contribution of Sufi saints

Prominent Sufi saints like Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, Khwaja Bakhtyar Kaki, Hazrat Fariduddin Ganjshakar, Hazrat Nizamuddin Aaliyah contributed significantly to the development of this new language. He used Urdu words in his sermons. Amir Khusro (1252-1324) used Urdu words extensively in Persian poetry.

goree sovai sej par, mukh par dare kes.

chal khusaro ghar tumane, rain bhee chahun des.

Sheikh Nizamuddin Aaliyah also used the words of 'Hindavi', which has been described in detail by the author of 'Fawayedul Fuwaad'.

·       Contribution of Bhakti saints

The saints of the Bhakti movement also gave their message to the people through 'Hindavi' (Urdu), because this language was more popular. Kabir has used words from Arabic, Persian and 'Hindavi' in his verses. Kabir has also written some ghazals.

haman hai ishk mastaana, haman ko hoshiyari kya?

aajaad rahe ya jag men, haman duniya se yaaree kya?

jo bichhude hain piyaare se, bhatakate dar-ba-dar phiraate,

hamaara yaar ham mein hai,  haman ka intazaari  kya hai?

Nanak also used Hindi words to convey his teachings to as many people as possible. Surdas and Tulsidas have also used Urdu words.

·       Urdu in the South

Sheikh Burhanuddin Garib and Hazrat Banda Nawaz Gesudaraj, disciples of Sheikh Nizamuddin Aaliyah, have contributed more to the development of Urdu in the south. After the fall of the Bahmani kingdom, two centers of development of Urdu became Golconda and Bijapur in the south.

The rulers of Golconda not only patronized scholars, but they themselves wrote verses in Urdu. Mohammad Qutubshah and Abdullah Qutubshah used to write poems in southern style. Many poets and scholars were respected in the Golconda royal court, prominent among them were Wajihi, the author of 'Qutub and Mushtari' and 'Sab Ras', Badayul Dhamal of Saiful Muluk and Ibne Nishati, the author of 'Tutinama'.

Adilshahi Sultan of Bijapur was a lover of art and education. In his royal court, Hashan Shauki, the author of 'Fathnama', Muqim, the author of Chandarbhan and 'Mahyar' poetry, and Rustami, the author of Masnavi 'Khabarnama', were patronized. Ibrahim Adilshah II was given the title of 'Jagatguru' because of his proficiency in Indian music. He wrote a book on music 'Nauras' and made Southern Urdu the official language in place of Persian. During the time of Ali Adilshah, Mulla Nusrat was respected in Bijapur court. He composed books named 'Alinama' and 'Gulshane Ishaq'.

·       Urdu in Gujarat

Even in Gujarat, Sufi saints contributed to the development of Urdu. Prominent among these saints were Sheikh Qutb Alam and Sheikh Ahmed Khattu, who moved to Gujarat after Tamur's invasion (1398) and where he preached to his disciples and the public in Urdu. A detailed description of his principles and teachings is found in 'Mirat-i-Sikandari'. After some time, a new style of Urdu writing started in Gujarat, which is called Gujarati style. Shah Ali Muhammad, the author of 'Jawaharul Asrar', Khub Muhammad Chishti, the author of 'Khub Tarang', Amin, the author of Yusuf Zulekha, wrote books in Gujarati style.

·       Urdu in the Mughal period

The close relationship between Akbar and Rajputs helped in the development of Urdu. A standard of Urdu was set during the times of Shahjahan and Aurangzeb; And during that period Rekhta (Urdu) developed completely. The tradition of Urdu poetry started from this time. Chander Bhan Brahmin, Muizuddin Musavi Khan Zafar Jatali, Mirza Abdul Ghani Kashmiri and Mirza Badil were among the prominent poets of this period, who wrote poetry in Urdu. The works of these poets gave a new turn in the development of Urdu.

Thus, the origin and development of Urdu language is the result of the coming closer of two cultures. No one culture has the credit for its origin, nor does any particular class have a role in its development.

·       Prominent Urdu litterateurs

Shamsuddin Wali (1668-1744 AD) is rightly called the 'Baba Adam' of Urdu. Wali was born in Aurangabad. In 1700 AD, Wali came to Delhi and took initiation from Delhi's famous poet and Sufi saint Shah Sadullah Gulshan Shah. Wali presented Persian thoughts and ideas in Urdu. For example, the following lines are presented:

mufalisee sab bahaar khotee hai

mard ka etibaar khotee hai

Shah Mubarak 'Aabru' - Aabru wrote Masnavi and Ghazals. In his works, the description of the beauty, image and dress of his beloved is prominent along with the description of the nails and tips of makeup and juice. He has also made beautiful use of ornaments. for example

phirate the dasht dasht divaane kidhar gae

o aashikee ke hae zamaane kidhar gae.

ja rahe hain par naam bataaya na kuchh mujhe

puchun main kis tarah kee phulaane kidhar gae.

Mir Taqi Mir- The most famous and best poet of this era was Mir Taqi Mir, who has written his autobiography in the name of 'Zikr-i-Mir'. Mir was born in Agra in 1725.

naazukee uske lab kee kya kahee

phankhudee ik gulaab kee see hai

meer un neem-baaz aankhon mein

saaree masti  sharaab kee see hai

Ghazal of Mir-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch4lGXeW8C8

Another ghazal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5V3e49XxFk

Ghalib- Ghalib's full name was Mirza Asadullah Khan and his surname was 'Ghalib'. He is considered the greatest poet of Urdu literature. The following lines of Ghalib are presented as examples:

"hamako malum hai. jannat kee haqiqat lekin.

dil ke khush rakhne ko gaalib khayal achchha hai."

A ghazal of Ghalib

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Mso1drHQdE&list=PLHFIbZ0Hl7eZEYPCbOoefcxoT1cnh0Gk7&index=7

Bahadurshah 'Zafar' - Although the last Mughal emperor Bahadurshah Zafar was a nominal emperor and did not have any important place in history as an emperor, but he had made a high place for himself in the world of Urdu poetry.

"na kisee kee aankh ka noor hoon, na kisee ke dil ka qaraar hoon.

jo kisee ke kaam na aa sake, main vo ek musht gubaar hoon.

jo bigad gaya vo nashib hoon, jo ujad gaya vo dayaar hoon."

Ghazal of Zafar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha3V_87LvR0

Another ghazal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg_yG47DBRs