List of Urdu poets facts for kids

Urdu is a beautiful language, and just like English, it has many amazing poets who have written wonderful poems over hundreds of years! This article will introduce you to some of the most famous Urdu poets from different times. They wrote about many things, like love, nature, wisdom, and even everyday life.

Early Urdu Poets (13th-17th Century)

Urdu poetry has a long history, with some of its earliest poets appearing centuries ago. These pioneers helped shape the language and its poetic style.

13th Century Poets

• Amir Khusro (1253–1325): He was a very famous poet and musician. He is often called the "father of Urdu literature" because he wrote in a language that was an early form of Urdu. He also created new musical styles.
• Bande Nawaz (1321–1442): A respected scholar and poet who contributed to early Urdu.
• Kabir (15th century): A mystic poet whose verses are still popular today.

Kabir was a mystic poet from the 15th century.

15th Century Poets

• Meera (1498): Also known as Mira Bai, she was a princess and a great poet who wrote many devotional songs.

Meera Bai, a famous poet from the 15th century.

16th Century Poets

This century saw more poets who started to use early forms of Urdu alongside Persian, which was a very popular language for poetry back then.

• Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah Wali (1518–1580): A ruler who also wrote poetry.
• Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana (1556–1627): He wrote mostly in Persian but also in Hindavi, an early form of Urdu.

Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana, a poet from the 16th century.

• Ali Adil Shah I (1558–1579): Another ruler who was also a poet.

Ali Adil Shah I.

• Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah (1565–1611): He wrote a lot of poetry, especially in Persian, but also in Hindavi. His collection of poems is called Kulliyat-e-Quli Qutub Shah.

Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah.

• Ibrahim Adil Shah II (1571–1627): A sultan who was known for his love of arts and poetry.

Ibrahim Adil Shah II.

• Chandar Bhan Brahman (died 1662): He was a court writer for Shah Jahan and kept his personal diary.

17th Century Poets

This period saw the language developing further, with poets like Wali Deccani becoming very important.

• Nusrati (died 1674): An important poet from the Deccan region.

Nusrati.

• Mirza Abdul Qadir Bedil Dehlavi (1642-1720): Known by his pen name Bedil, he was a very influential poet.
• Wali Muhammad Wali (1667–1707): Often called Wali Deccani, he is considered one of the first major poets to use Urdu in a way that made it popular across India.

Wali Mohammed Wali.

• Shah Mubarak Abroo (1683–1733): A poet who helped shape early Urdu poetry.
• Siraj-ud-Din Ali Khan Arzu (1687–1756): Known as Arzu, he wrote works like Mehr-o-Mah.
• Mirza Mazhar Jan-e-Janaan (1699–1781): Known as Jan-e-Janaan, he compiled a collection of Urdu poems called Majmua-Urdu-Ashaar.

Mirza Mazhar Jan-e-Janaan.

Classical Era (18th-19th Century)

The 18th and 19th centuries are often called the "golden age" of Urdu poetry. Many legendary poets emerged during this time, creating masterpieces that are still loved today.

18th Century Poets

This century saw Urdu poetry truly flourish.

Ghulam Hamdani Mushafi, a poet who helped name the Urdu language around 1780 AD.

• Mirza Muhammad Rafi, Sauda (1713–1780): A master of satire and ghazal (a type of poem).
• Siraj Aurangabadi, Siraj (1715–1763): A well-known poet from Aurangabad.
• Mohammad Meer Soz Dehlvi, Soz (1720-1799): An important poet from Delhi.
• Khwaja Mir Dard, Dard (1721–1785): A famous Sufi poet.
• Mir Taqi Mir, Mir (1723–1810): Considered one of the greatest Urdu poets of all time. His poems are known for their deep emotions.
• Nazeer Akbarabadi, Nazeer (1740–1830): Known for writing about everyday life and common people.
• Mashafi Shaikh Ghulam Hamdani, Mas'hafi (1750–1824): He is believed to be the first poet to use the name "Urdu" for the language.
• Insha Allah Khan 'Insha', Insha (1756–1817): A versatile poet and writer.
• Bahadur Shah, Zafar (1775–1862): The last Mughal emperor, who was also a talented poet.
• Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib, Ghalib (1797–1869): One of the most famous and respected Urdu poets ever. His ghazals are studied and recited worldwide.

19th Century Poets

This era continued the rich tradition of Urdu poetry, with many influential figures.

• Momin Khan Momin, Momin (1801–1852): Known for his short, impactful ghazals.
• Mir Babar Ali Anis, Anis (1803–1874): A master of marsiya (elegiac poetry).
• Dagh Dehlvi (Nawab Mirza Khan), Daagh (1831–1905): Famous for his simple and beautiful language.
• Altaf Hussain Hali (Hali Panipati), Hali (1837–1914): A poet, critic, and reformer who wrote about social issues.
• Akbar Allahabadi (Syed Akbar Hussain), Akbar (1846–1921): Known for his humorous and satirical poetry.
• Allama Muhammad Iqbal (Allama Iqbal), Iqbal (1877–1938): A philosopher and poet who inspired many with his deep thoughts and patriotic poems. He is considered the national poet of Pakistan.
• Mohammad Ali Jauhar (Maulana Jauhar), Jauhar (1878-1931): A freedom fighter and a powerful poet.
• Fani Badayuni (Shaukat Ali Khan), Fani (1879–1941): Known for his sad and melancholic poetry.

Modern and Contemporary Poets (20th Century Onwards)

The 20th century brought new styles and themes to Urdu poetry, reflecting changing times and modern ideas.

Early 20th Century Poets (1900-1930s)

• Hafeez Jalandhari (Mohd.Hafeez), Hafeez (1900–1982): He wrote the national anthem of Pakistan.
• Akhtar Sheerani (Mohd.Dawood Khan) (1905–1948): A romantic poet.
• Makhdum Muhiuddin (1908–1969): A revolutionary poet and political activist.
• Majaz (Asrar-ul-Haq), Majaz (1909–1955): Known for his romantic and revolutionary poems.
• Kunwar Mohinder Singh Bedi Sahar, Sahar (1909-1998): A notable non-Muslim Urdu poet.

Mid-20th Century Poets (1910s-1940s)

• Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Faiz (1911–1984): A very famous poet and revolutionary. His poems are known for their beauty and strong messages about justice.
• Meeraji (1912–1949): A modernist poet who experimented with new forms.
• Ali Sardar Jafri (1913–2000): A progressive writer and poet.
• Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi, Nadeem (1916–2006): A prolific writer, poet, and journalist.
• Shakeel Badayuni (1916–1970): Famous for his film lyrics.
• Kaifi Azmi (1918–2002): A renowned poet and lyricist, known for his progressive views.
• Majrooh Sultanpuri (1919–2000): Another celebrated lyricist and poet.
• Qateel Shifai, Qateel (1919–2001): A popular poet and lyricist.

Late 20th Century Poets (1920s-1970s)

• Sahir Ludhianvi, Sahir (1921–1980): A very popular film lyricist and poet known for his social commentary.
• Ada Jafri (1924–): One of the first major female Urdu poets.
• Nasir Kazmi, Nasir (1925–1972): Known for his simple and soulful ghazals.
• Ibn-e-Insha, Insha (1927–1978): A humorous poet, travel writer, and columnist.
• Habib Jalib (1928–1993): A revolutionary poet known for his strong voice against injustice.
• Munir Niazi (1928–2006): A unique poet with a distinct style.
• Ahmad Faraz (1931–2008): One of the most popular modern Urdu poets, known for his romantic and revolutionary poetry.
• Jon Elia (1931–2003): A philosopher, poet, and scholar known for his unique and often melancholic style.
• Gulzar (1936): A famous Indian lyricist, poet, and filmmaker.
• Nida Fazli (1938-2016): A well-known poet and lyricist.
• Kishwar Naheed (1940): A prominent female poet known for her feminist themes.
• Iftikhar Arif (1943): A respected poet, scholar, and literary figure.
• Amjad Islam Amjad (1944): A popular poet, drama writer, and lyricist.
• Bashir Badr (1945): Known for his beautiful ghazals.
• Javed Akhtar (1945): A famous Indian lyricist, screenwriter, and poet.
• Mohsin Naqvi (1947-1996): A popular poet known for his emotional and often religious poetry.
• Fehmida Riaz (1948): A strong voice in feminist poetry and literature.
• Rahat Indori (1950–2020): A very popular poet known for his powerful performances and social commentary.
• Parveen Shakir (1952–1994): A beloved female poet known for her romantic and sensitive verses.

Non-Muslim Urdu Poets

Urdu poetry is a rich tradition that has been contributed to by people from all backgrounds, including many non-Muslim poets who have left a lasting impact.

• Meera, Mira Bai (c. 1498): A Hindu devotional poet.
• Daya Shankar Kaul Nasim (1811–1845): A classical poet known for his epic poem Gul Bakawali.
• Brij Narayan Chakbast (1882–1926): A nationalist poet who wrote about patriotism.
• Tilok Chand Mehroom (1887–1966): A well-known poet and writer.
• Firaq Gorakhpuri (Raghupati Sahay) Firaq (1896–1982): A highly respected poet and literary critic, known for his ghazals.
• Ram Prasad Bismil (1897–1927): A revolutionary and poet.
• Pandit Harichand Akhtar ('Akhtar') (1901–1958): A prominent poet and journalist.
• Anand Narain Mulla (1901–1997): A judge and a poet.
• Gopal Mittal (1906–1993): A poet and literary figure.
• Sahir Hoshiarpuri (1913–1994): A poet known for his romantic and philosophical verses.
• Jagan Nath Azad (1918–2004): A scholar and poet who also wrote the national anthem of Pakistan's first version.

See also

• List of Pakistani poets
• List of Urdu-language writers