Mirza Ghalib, born Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan on 27th December 1797 in Agra, India was a famous Urdu and Persian poet of Mughal era. He is known for his deep and philosophical poetry which has left a permanent mark on South Asian literature.
Early Life and Background
Ghalib was from central Asian roots; his paternal grandfather Mirza Qoqan Baig was a Seljuq Turk who migrated to India from Samarkand during the reign of Ahmad Shah. Orphaned at a very young age Ghalib was raised by his uncle Mirza Nasrullah Baig Khan. At 13 he married Umrao Begum and then moved to Delhi where he spent rest of his life. Despite personal tragedies like the loss of all seven of his children in infancy Ghalib’s spirit shone through his literary pursuits.
Literary Contributions
Ghalib’s works are in both Urdu and Persian but his Persian work is more in number. But it is his Urdu ghazals that are more famous. His poetry is about love, loss, mysticism and existential musings often challenging the conventions and offering deep philosophical insights. Ghalib’s writing style is known for its wordplay, metaphors and unique blend of classical and colloquial language.
Legacy
Ghalib’s influence is not limited to poetry; his letters are considered as masterpieces of Urdu prose and gives a glimpse of 19th century Indian society and his personal thoughts. His works have been translated in many languages and still inspire poets, writers and artists all over the world. Ghalib died on 15th February 1869 in Delhi but his legacy continues and his poetry is an integral part of Indian subcontinent’s literature and culture.
If you want to explore Ghalib’s poetry, you can visit Rekhta for a complete collection of his works.
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