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Jigar Moradabadi (1890-1960) was one of the most celebrated Urdu poets of the 20th century, renowned for his passionate ghazals and romantic poetry. Born as Ali Sikander in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, he adopted the pen name ‘Jigar’ (meaning heart or liver, symbolizing intense emotion), which perfectly captured the essence of his deeply emotional verse.

         During his lifetime, Jigar was considered one of the leading poets, alongside luminaries such as Josh Malihabadi and Firaq Gorakhpuri. His poetry collections gained widespread popularity, and he was known for his powerful recitations at mushairas. His verses often dealt with the pain of unrequited love and the anguish of separation, themes that resonated with listeners and readers alike.

         Jigar's contribution to Urdu literature was significant in maintaining the classical tradition while infusing it with contemporary sensibilities. His work continues to be widely read and appreciated, and many of his verses have been adapted into popular songs in Bollywood. He passed away in 1960, leaving behind a rich legacy of passionate and memorable poetry that continues to move readers today.

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Josh Malihabadi (1898-1982) was one of the most significant Urdu poets of the last century. Due to his revolutionary poetry during the freedom movement, he became known as Shaayir-e-Inquilaab. Josh was born Shabbir Hasan Khan on December 5, 1898,  in Malihabad. He studied at St. Peter's College in Agra and later at Tagore's University, where he acquired proficiency in Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and English. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru held him in high esteem and frequently attended the mushairas where Josh recited his poetry. The most dramatic chapter of Josh's life came in 1958 when he migrated from India to Pakistan. He had great difficulty in adjusting to the new reality, but could not return and had to live in Pakistan till his death in 1982. His work was celebrated posthumously when the Pakistani government commemorated his centenary by issuing a postal stamp. He was also bestowed with the Hilal-i-Pakistan, the country's highest civilian award, in 2012. Josh's significant poetry collections include Naqsh-o-Nigar, Shola-O-Shabnam, Fikr-O-Nishat, and many others. His autobiography, Yaadon ki Barat, is noted for candid writing. 

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Hasrat Mohani (1875-1951), born Syed Fazl-ul-Hasan in Mohan, a town in the Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh, was a multifaceted personality who impacted literature and politics in India. He was not only a romantic poet but also a journalist, politician, parliamentarian, and fearless freedom fighter. When he gave the call of ‘Inquilab Zindabad’—Long Live Revolution—he relentlessly fought for India’s independence from British rule. He was imprisoned several times for his rebellious attitude towards the British, but always maintained his spirit, refusing to succumb to any pressure. After India’s independence, he served as a member of the Constituent Assembly that drafted the Indian Constitution, but did not sign it due to certain reservations. He passed away in Lucknow and was buried there.

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Yaas Yagana Changezi (1884–1956), born Mirza Wajid Hussain Changezi, was a bold and unconventional Urdu poet known for his rebellious spirit and modernist outlook. Born in Patna, Yagana carved a unique niche in Urdu literature by defying the traditional romanticism and conventional themes that dominated the poetry of his time. He was heavily influenced by Western philosophy, particularly the works of Nietzsche, and brought a tone of existentialism, skepticism, and self-awareness into his verse. His poetry often critiqued religious dogma, social hypocrisy, and romantic idealism, which made him a controversial figure in literary circles. He frequently challenged the norms contemporaries like Iqbal and Hasrat Mohani upheld, asserting a more personal and introspective voice. Yagana's language was direct, at times abrasive, and deeply philosophical. His major works include collections like Tarana, Nishtar-e-Yaas, and Ghazalistan. He also wrote critical essays, such as Ghalib-Shikan, where he questioned the excessive glorification of Mirza Ghalib. Though marginalized during his lifetime, Yagana is recognized as a precursor to modernism in Urdu poetry and admired for his individualism, intellectual honesty, and fearless expression. He died in Lucknow in 1956, largely forgotten, but modern scholars have rediscovered and celebrated his legacy.

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Fani Badayuni, born Shaukat Ali Khan on September 13, 1879, in Badaun district, was a distinguished Urdu poet renowned for his poignant and melancholic poetry. He hailed from a family that had migrated to India from Kabul during the reign of Shah Alam. He graduated from Bareilly College in 1901 and earned his Bachelor of Laws from Aligarh Muslim University in 1906. Fani began composing poetry at a young age, completing his first Divan by age 20. He persevered despite initial resistance from his orthodox family, who disapproved of his poetic pursuits. His first collection was published in 1917 from Badaun, and his second, ‘Baqiyat-e-Fani,’ was published in 1926. In 1932, Fani moved to Hyderabad at the invitation of Maharaja Kishan Prasad 'Shad,' an Urdu enthusiast and poet. There, he served as a school headmaster and was actively involved in the literary circles of the time, including the court of Prince Moazzam Jah. Fani's poetry is characterized by its deep exploration of sorrow and existential angst, drawing comparisons to the works of Mir Taqi Mir. Fani Badayuni passed away in Hyderabad on August 27, 1941, leaving a profound and introspective legacy.

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Dagh Dehlvi (1831–1905) was one of the most celebrated poets of classical Urdu ghazal of the late 19th century.  He came from an aristocratic family, but his father, Nawab Shamsuddin Ahmed Khan, was implicated in the murder of the British Resident William Fraser in 1835 and was executed by the British. This event drastically altered Dagh’s childhood. Following his father’s death, his mother, Wazir Khanum, married the Mughal crown prince Mirza Fakhru, bringing Dagh into the Mughal court's cultural sphere. Dagh was greatly influenced by Zauq, the poet laureate of Bahadur Shah Zafar’s court. The 1857 Revolt and the British suppression of Delhi forced Dagh to leave the city. He moved to Rampur, where the Nawab patronized him, and he later shifted to Hyderabad, where he enjoyed the patronage of the Nizam. Unlike Ghalib and Iqbal, who explored deep philosophical themes, Dagh’s poetry remained centered on the traditional ghazal themes of love and passion. He was also a great poetry teacher, and Allama Iqbal was briefly among his students. Dagh passed away in 1905 in Hyderabad, where he spent his final years under the patronage of the Nizam.

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Momin Khan Momin (1800-1851) was one of the most significant poets of the late Mughal period in Delhi. Born into a family of physicians, he was educated in Persian, Arabic, and traditional Islamic sciences. His real name was Muhammad Momin Khan, but he is known by his pen name ‘Momin.’ Momin was associated with the court of Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor, where he was highly respected for his poetic genius. Unlike many of his contemporaries who wrote primarily in Persian, Momin chose to write predominantly in Urdu, contributing significantly to the development of the Urdu ghazal. He is mainly celebrated for his expression’s delicacy (nazakat) and his masterful use of Urdu. His poetry is known for its sophisticated wordplay, subtle imagery, and deep emotional resonance. While his contemporary Mirza Ghalib is often considered the greater philosopher-poet, Momin is regarded as unmatched in his ability to express the nuances of love and longing.

His most famous couplet, ‘Tum mere pas hote ho goya’ (You seem to be near me), remains one of the most celebrated couplets in Urdu literature. Despite his significant contribution to Urdu poetry, Momin lived in relative poverty, supporting himself through his practice as a hakim (traditional physician).

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Maulana Altaf Husain Hali (1837-1914) was a significant Urdu poet and writer from the nineteenth century. He was born in Panipat and wrote in classical Persian and Urdu poetic traditions. However, after meeting Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, he became an essential voice for social reform and modernization in Muslim society. Hali's most famous work is the ‘Musaddas-e-Hali,’ a long poem that critically examined the decline of Muslim civilization and called for social and educational reforms. He was also known for breaking away from the traditional ghazal form to write more socially conscious poetry. He served as a teacher and wrote several influential works of literary criticism, including ‘Muqaddimah-e-Sher-o-Shayiiri’ (An Introduction to Poetry and Poetics), which helped establish modern literary criticism in Urdu. Hali also wrote biographies, including an essential work on Mirza Ghalib, with whom he had studied poetry.

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Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan, better known as Mirza Ghalib (1797-1869), was one of the most influential and celebrated Urdu poets. Born in Agra during the decline of the Mughal Empire, he moved to Delhi after his marriage at a young age, where he spent most of his life. Despite facing personal tragedies, including the deaths of all seven of his children in infancy and persistent financial difficulties, Ghalib produced some of the most sophisticated and philosophically complex poetry of his time. His ghazals, characterized by their deep intellectual and emotional depth, often explored themes of love, loss, and the nature of existence. Though he considered himself primarily a Persian poet, his Urdu works earned him lasting fame. Ghalib served as the poet tutor to the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, and witnessed the traumatic events of the 1857 uprising against British rule. While his work was not fully appreciated during his lifetime, his poetry became recognized as among the finest in Urdu literature, influencing generations of poets and writers across South Asia.

There is a library full of books about Ghalib and his poetry. But if you have the time to read just one book, it should be ‘Ghalib: Innovative Meanings and the Ingenious Mind’ by Professor Gopi Chand Narang, published by the Oxford University Press in 2017. Nothing else comes close.

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Mir Taqi Mir (1723-1810) was born in Agra into a family that enjoyed great respect because of his father’s spiritual leanings. His father inspired Mir to follow the path of universal love and compassion. A tragedy struck when Mir was still young. He fell in love with an extended family member he could not marry. Heartbroken, he left Agra for Delhi, but that city was already in turmoil due to foreign invasions. Lovestruck and without any support, Mir lost the balance of his mind. When Nadir Shah attacked, he left Delhi and settled in Lucknow, where he got an offer of support from Nawab Asifuddaulah, which he turned down and preferred to live in misery. Mir left behind six divans of Urdu ghazals and one of Persian ghazals, apart from other writings that included Zikr-e Mir (an autobiography).

If you wish to gain a deeper understanding of Mir Taqi Mir’s work, please consult ‘The Hidden Garden: Mir Taqi Mir’ by Professor Gopi Chand Narang (translated from Urdu by Surinder Deol), published by Penguin / Viking in 2021.