Poets

1877 — 1938

Sir Muhammad Iqbal, known as Allama Iqbal, was a philosopher, poet, and politician in British India who is widely regarded as having inspired the Pakistan Movement. His poetry in Urdu and Persian is celebrated for its philosophical depth, spiritual intensity, and call to action for the Muslim world. His concept of Khudi (selfhood) remains one of the most influential ideas in South Asian philosophy.

خودی کو کر بلند اتنا کہ ہر تقدیر سے پہلے

“Elevate your selfhood so high that before every decree of fate,”

1797 — 1869

Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan, known by his pen name Ghalib, was the preeminent Urdu and Persian-language poet during the last years of the Mughal Empire. He is considered one of the most popular and influential poets in the Urdu language. His poetry is known for its philosophical complexity, wit, and exploration of the human condition. Ghalib wrote during a period of great upheaval — the decline of the Mughal Empire and the rise of British colonial rule.

ہزاروں خواہشیں ایسی کہ ہر خواہش پہ دم نکلے

“Thousands of desires, each worth dying for,”

1911 — 1984

Faiz Ahmad Faiz was a Pakistani poet whose work blends classical Urdu poetic traditions with progressive political themes. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest Urdu poets of the 20th century.

مجھ سے پہلی سی محبت مری محبوب نہ مانگ

“Do not ask of me, my love, that love I once had for you,”

1723 — 1810

Mir Taqi Mir, commonly known as Mir, was an 18th-century Urdu poet. He is considered one of the pioneers who gave shape to the Urdu language itself and its poetry.

ہستی اپنی حباب کی سی ہے

“Our existence is like a water bubble,”