Listed below are major
UrduUrdu is a Central Indo-Aryan language of the Indo-Iranian branch, belonging to the Indo-European family of languages. It is one of the two official languages of Pakistan. It is also one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of five Indian states...
poets, sorted by date of birth. As far as possible, the
takhallus, or
nom de plumeA pen name, nom de plume, or literary double, is a pseudonym adopted by an author. A pen name may be used to make the author's name more distinctive, to disguise his or her gender, to distance an author from some or all of his or her works, to protect the author from retribution for his or her...
, is mentioned in italics after the name.
16th century
- Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah (1565–1611), wrote poetry primarily in Persian, but also in Hindavi
Hindavi , Hindawi, or Hindvi is the mother language of modern standard Urdu and later Hindi. It was formed as a result of the intermingling of Persian loanwords with the native Khariboli language spoken in Delhi and was written in the Perso-Arabic script...
17th and 18th centuries
- Wali Muhammad Wali, Wali Deccani (1667–1707)
- Mirza Mazhar Jan-e-Janaan
Mirza Mazhar Jan-e-Janaan was a renowned poet of Urdu in its early stages. He was also a great poet of Persian. He is also regarded as a Sufi Saint by some Sufi orders.-His Life:...
(1699–1781)
1700
- Mirza Muhammad Rafi
Mirza Muhammad Rafi 'Sauda was one of the best known poets of Urdu language in Delhi, India. He is known for his Ghazals and Urdu Qasidas. His birth year has not been confirmed and in some publications, it is listed as 1712...
, Sauda (1713–1780)
- Mirza Abdul Qadir, Bedil
- Mir Azmatullah Bilgrami, Bekhabar
- Khwaja Mir Dard
Khwaja Mir Dard was born in 1721 and died in 1785. He is one of the three major poets of the Delhi School—the other two being Mir Taqi Mir and 'Sauda'—who could be called the pillars of the classical Urdu ghazal....
, Dard (1721–1785)
- Mir Taqi Mir
Khuda-e-Sukhan Mir Taqi Mir , whose original name was Muhammad Taqi and takhallus was Mir , was the leading Urdu poet of the eighteenth century, and one of the pioneers who gave shape to the Urdu language itself...
, Mir (1723–1810)
- Nazeer Akbarabadi
Nazeer Akbarabadi was an Indian poet of 18th century who wrote Urdu ghazals and nazms under nom de plume "Nazeer". His father was Muhammad Farooq and his mother was the daughter of Nawab Sultan Khan who was the governor of Agra Fort...
, Nazeer (1740–1830)
- Bahadur Shah
Abu Zafar Sirajuddin Muhammad Bahadur Shah Zafar , also known as Bahadur Shah or Bahadur Shah II was the last of the Mughal emperors in India, as well as the last ruler of the Timurid Dynasty. He was the son of Akbar Shah II and Lalbai, who was a Hindu Rajput. He became the Mughal Emperor upon...
, Zafar (1775–1862)
- Khwaja Haidar Ali Atish
Khwaja Haider Ali Atish of Lucknow was one of the titans of Urdu poetry whose literary rivalry with his contemporary Nasikh produced some rare lyrical gems.-External links:* '-References:...
, Atish (1778–1846)
- Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, Zauq (1789–1854)
- Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib
Dabeer-ul-Mulk, Najm-ud-daulah Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan , pen-name Ghalib and Asad , was a great classical Urdu and Persian poet from India during British colonial rule...
, Ghalib (1796–1869)
19th century
- Brij Narayan Chakbast
Brij Narayan Chakbast was an Urdu poet.- Life :Chakbast was an Urdu poet. He was born in 19 January 1882 in a Saraswat Brahmin family of Kashmiri extraction settled in North India in 15th century A.D.. Chakbast was born in Faizabad in 1882...
, (1882-1926)
- Daya Shankar Kaul Nasim
Daya Shankar Kaul Nasim was a Urdu poet of the 19th century who won fame for his epic Gul Bakawali. He was defended by Brij Narayan Chakbast when it was suggested that he was not the author of this book.-External links:...
, (1811-1845)
- Hakim Momin Khan Momin
Momin Khan was an Indian poet famous for his Urdu ghazals and used "Momin" as his takhallus . He was born in Delhi. He was also called "Hakeem Khan" because he was a physician also. Hakeem is an Urdu word for physician.Momin is known for his particular Persianized style and the beautiful use of...
, Momin (1801–1852)
- Mirza Salaamat Ali
Mirza Salaamat Ali Dabeer was a leading Urdu poet who excelled and perfected the art of Marsiya writing. He is considered the leading exponent of Marsiya Nigari or marsiya writing along with Mir Anis....
Dabeer (1803-1875)
- Mir Babbar Ali
Mir Babbar Ali Anees was a renowned Urdu poet. He was born in Faizabad in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in 1803 and died in 1874....
Anis (1803-1874)
- Amir Meenai
Amir Meenai , an Urdu poet of eminence was born in 1826 at Lucknow and died in 1900 at Hyderabad. A popular poet both with the people and the aristocracy, he was held in high esteem by his contemporary poets like Ghalib and Daagh Dehalvi....
(1826–1900)
- Nawab Mirza Khan Dagh Dehlawi, Daagh (1831–1905)
- Altaf Hussain
Maulana Altaf Hussain Hali was an Urdu poet, and a friend of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. He is also one of the most well-regarded biographers of Ghalib's life, and a commentator of his poetry.-Early life:...
Hali (1837–1914)
- Alahazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan, Raza (1856-1924)
- Bekhud Badayuni
Muhammad Abdul-Hayy Siddiqui , writing under the pen-name Bekhud Badayuni , was one of the leading Urdu poets of the late 19th and early 20th centuries....
(Muhammad Abdul-Hayy Siddiqui), Bekhud (1857–1912)
- Syed Akbar Hussain Akbar Allahabadi
Akbar Allahabadi was a famous Indian Urdu poet.-Early life:Akabar Allahabadi who was born as Syed Akbar Hussain at Allahabad, India...
, Akbar Allahabadi (1846–1921)
- Firaq Gorakhpuri
Raghupati Sahay 'Firaq' Gorakhpuri was one of the most noted contemporary Urdu poets from India...
(Raghupati Sahay) (1896-1982)
- Hasrat Mohani
Maulana Hasrat Mohani was a romantic poet of Urdu language, journalist, politician, parliamentarian and a fearless freedom fighter of Indo-Pak Sub-continent . His real name was Syed Fazl ul Hasan. He was born in 1875 at Mohan in Unnao district of U.P. India.He was a brilliant student as well as...
, Syed Tafazzul Hussain Hasrat (1875–1952)
- Allama Shibli Nomani
Allama Shibli Nomani was an Indian scholar on Islam. He was born at Bindwal in Azamgarh district of present-day Uttar Pradesh. He is known for the founding the Shibli National College in 1883 and the Darul Mussanifin in Azamgarh. Shibli was a versatile scholar in Arabic, Persian, Hindi, Turkish...
(1857-1914)
- Syed Ghulam Bhik Nairang (1875-1952)
- Hazrat Allama Dr. Muhammad Iqbal
Hazrat Allama Sir Dr. Muhammad Iqbal was a Persian and Urdu poet, philosopher and politician whose vision of an independent state for the Muslims of British India was to inspire the creation of Pakistan...
Qadri (Muffakir-e-PakistanPakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located at the crossroads of South Asia, the Middle East, and Central Asia...
, Shair-e-Mashriq , Hakeem-ul-UmmatUmmat can have several meanings:-* Ummah, an Arabic: أمة) word meaning community or nation.* Daily Ummat, an is a newspaper in Pakistan....
, National poet of PakistanPakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located at the crossroads of South Asia, the Middle East, and Central Asia...
) (1877–1938)
- Tilok Chand Mahrum
Tilok Chand Mehroom was a famous Urdu poet of India.-Early life:Mehroom was born in Mianwali District, Punjab, India into a Hindu family. After earning his B.A...
(1885–1966)
- Jigar Muradabadi, Jigar (1890–1960)
- Mustafa Raza Khan
Mustafa Raza Khan, commonly known among the Muslims of the South Asia as Mufti e Azam e Hind, was born in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India in 1892. His father, Ahmed Raza Khan was the founder of the Barelwi movement in South Asia.. His grandfather, Moulana Naqi Ali Khan Mustafa Raza Khan, commonly...
, Noori (1892-1981)
- Josh Malihabadi
Josh Malihabadi was a noted Urdu poet born in British India, who was an Indian citizen until 1958, when he emigrated to Pakistan and became a Pakistani citizen...
, Josh (1898–1982)
1910
- Ihsan Danish
Ihsan Danish , was a prominent Urdu poet from Pakistan. His life marked the struggle of person who didn’t have more than a primary level of education, who worked as ordinary laborer for years in odd jobs, and finally became a poet of excellence...
(1914-1982)
- Krishan Chander
Krishan Chander was an Urdu and Hindi Afsaana Nigaar, or short story writer. He wrote mainly in Urdu, but was well-versed in Hindi and English....
(1914-1977)
- Noon Meem Rashid
Nazar Mohammed Rashid commonly known as Noon Meem Rashid or N.M. Rashid, was born as Raja Nazar Muhmmad Janjua...
(1910–1975)
- Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Faiz (1911–1984)
- Nushoor Wahidi
Nushoor Wahidi was a famous Indian Urdu poet.-Early life:Born in 1911 in the village of Sheikhpur, Ballia District, United Province Nushoor had 7 siblings...
(1911–1981)
- Ali Sardar Jafri
Ali Sardar Jafri was an Urdu writer, poet, critic and film lyricist from India.-Early life and education:...
(1913–2000)
- Jan Nisar Akhtar
Jan Nisar Akhtar was an important 20th century Indian poet of Urdu ghazals and nazms, and a part of the Progressive Writers' Movement, who was also a lyricist for Bollywood ....
(1914–1976)
- Majeed Amjad
Majeed Amjad was one of the greatest of modern Urdu poets of the Indian subcontinent. In the popular culture he is not as well known or widely read as Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Noon Meem Rashid, Nasir Kazmi or Meeraji but amongst the cognoscenti and many critics he is widely regarded as a philosophical...
(1914–1974)
- Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi, Nadeem (1916–2006)
- Zamir Jafri
Zamir Jafri was a Pakistani poet born in Jhelum. He became famous for his Urdu humorous poetry and also wrote humorous columns in the newspapers and periodicals. After graduating from Punjab University , he joined the army’s public relation department and retired as a major...
, Zamir (1916–1999)
- Shakeel Badayuni
Shakeel Badayuni was an accomplished Urdu poet, lyricist and songwriter.-Early life and background:Shakeel Badayuni was born in Badayun, Uttar Pradesh...
(1916–1970)
- Shan-ul-Haq Haqqee
Dr.Shanul Haq Haqqee , Sitara-e-Imtiaz, Tamgha-e-Quaid-i-Azam, was a notable Urdu poet, linguist, lexicographer, researcher, and writer of Pakistan....
(1917–2005)
- Jagannath Azad
Jagannath Azad was a prominent Urdu-speaking Hindu academic who wrote the first national anthem of Pakistan.- Early life :He was born on December 5, 1918 in the town of Isa Khel in western Punjab, which now lies in Pakistan...
(1918–2004)
- Kaifi Azmi
Kaifi Azmi was an Urdu and Hindi lyricist, poet and songwriter.-Early life:Kaifi Azmi was born as Syed Athar Hussain Rizvi into a family of landlords in the small village Mejwaan, in Azamgarh, district of Uttar Pradesh...
(1918–2002)
- Khumar Barabankvi
Khumar Barabankvi was an Urdu poet and lyricist from Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, India. His legal name was Mohammed Haidar Khan, but he wrote under the takhallus of Khumar.-External links:* *...
, Khumar (1919–1999)
- Qateel Shifai
Aurangzeb Khan or Qateel Shifai was a Pakistani Urdu poet.-Early life:Qateel Shifai was born in Haripur, Hazara Division, British India .-Career:...
, Qateel (1919–2001)
- Yazdani Jalandhari
Yazdani Jalandhari was a well known Urdu language poet from the Indian Subcontinent. His poetry collections include:*Saghar e Inq'laab *Subh e Saa'dat *Taurat e Dil *Tauseef...
(1915-1990)
- Saeeda Urooj Mazhar, (1916-1978) سعیدہ عروج مظھر
- Ranvir Dutt 'Amar Abadabadi'(1910-1992)
1920
- Ayyub Sabir (1923-1989)
- Nasir Kazmi
Syed Nasir Raza Kazmi, was a renowned Urdu poet of Pakistan. He was one of the greatest poets of this era, especially in the use of "ista'aaray" and "chhotee beher"....
, Nasir (1925-1972)
- Shabnam Romani
Mirza Azeem Baig Chughtai , known in literary circles by his pen name Shabnam Romani, was a renowned Urdu poet based in Karachi, Pakistan. Shabnam Romani wrote a number of books including Jazeera, Doosra Himala, and Tohmat. Romani was born in Shahjahanpur, India, but moved to Pakistan and lived...
,Shabnam Romani (1928-2009)
- Sahir Ludhianvi
Sahir Ludhianvi was a popular Urdu poet and Hindi lyricist and songwriter. Sahir Ludhianvi is his pseudonym...
, Sahir (1921–1980)
- Ibn-e-Insha
Ibn-e-Insha was an eminent Pakistani Leftist Urdu poet, humorist, travelogue writer and columnist. Along with his poetry, he was regarded one of the best humorists of Urdu...
, Insha (1927–1978)
- Munir Niazi
Munir Ahmad, better known as Munir Niazi, SI was one of the best-known and admired Urdu poets from Pakistan who also produced good poetry in the Panjabi language....
(1928–2006)
- Habib Jalib
Habib Jalib was one of the most renowned Pakistani revolutionary and Urdu poets of 20th century. A left wing activist and politician, he was a staunch democrat who opposed martial law, authoritarianism and state oppression....
(1928-1993)
- Dilawar Figar
Dilawar Figar, was a noted humorist, poet and scholar of the Pakistan. He is known as Shehansha-e-Zarafat and Akbar-e-Sani for his satirical and rich humor writings.- Life :...
(1928–1998)
- Dr.Wazeer Agha (born 1922)
1930
- Ahmad Faraz (1931-2008)
- Mustafa Zaidi
Syed Mustafa Hussain Zaidi was a renowned Urdu poet of Pakistan. He has the honor of having first published collection of ghazals and nazms at age 19.- Life :...
(1930–1970)
- Jon Elia
Jaun Elia was a notable Pakistani Urdu poet, philosopher, biographer and scholar. He was widely praised for his unique style of writing...
(1931–2003)
- Zafar Iqbal (born 1932)
- Syed Al-e-Ahmad
Syed Al-e-Ahmad was a well known Pakistani urdu poet, primarily of the Ghazal form, but also of Nazm. He used unique diction for his remarkable expressions regarding life and society.-Life:...
(1932–1999)
- Shakeb Jalali
Shakeb Jalali was a Pakistani Urdu poet of a unique diction.Shakeb Jalali's real name was Syed Hassan Rizvi. His ancestors were from a small town, Saddat Jalali, near Aligarh, India. In accordance with the well known Poet, Writer and authentic Critic Mr...
(1932–1966)
- Waheed Akhtar
Syed Waheed Akhtar was an Urdu poet, writer, critic, distinguished orator, and one of the leading Muslim scholars and philosophers of the 20th century.- Life :...
(1934–1996)
- Murtaza Birlas
Murtaza Birlas is one of the defining poets of modern Urdu Ghazal from Pakistan. His work has been published in respected journals and magazines of Urdu literature since the early 60s. He has published four compilations of Ghazal poetry. His style comprises strong expressions, with a whole hearted...
(born 1934)
- Aftab Iqbal Shamim
Aftab Iqbal Shamim is an Urdu language poet. Aftab Iqbal Shamim has taught English Literature at Gordon College Rawalpindi for many years. He has also taught at Beijing University for more than 14 years.-Career:...
(born 1936)
- Maajed Siddiqui (born 1938)
- Obaidullah Aleem
thumb|Obaidullah AleemObaidullah Aleem was a famous modern Ahmadi poet of Urdu language. He is ranked among the best Ghazal writers of modern times....
(1939–1997)
1940
- Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi
Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi also known as Sayyedna Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi or Hazrat Sayyedna Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi Muddazullahul Aali was a Muslim Sufi, author, spiritual leader and founder of the spiritual movement Anjuman...
(1941-2001)
- Iftikhar Arif
Iftikhar Hussain Arif, PP, SI, HI commonly known as Iftikhar Arif is an Urdu poet, scholar and littérateur from Pakistan. His style is romantic Urdu poetry. He has headed Academy Adbiyat, the Pakistan Academy of Letters and currently, he is the Chairman of Muqtadra Quami Zaban, the National...
(born 1943)
- Javed Akhtar
Javed Akhtar , is an Urdu and Hindi poet, lyricist and scriptwriter from India. Some of his most successful work was done in the late 1970s and 1980s with Salim Khan as half of the script-writing duo credited as Salim-Javed...
(born 1945)
- Shujaat Ali Rahi (born 1945)
- Ghulam Muhammad Qasir
Ghulam Muhammad Qasir was born in Paharpur, Dera Ismail Khan, NWFP, Pakistan, on September 4, 1944. He is considered to be one of the finest modern poets from Pakistan. He has been awarded with the Presidential Pride of performance award , by the Government of Pakistan in 2006-07, for his valuable...
, Qasir (1944–1999)
- Muhammad Izhar ul Haq
Muhammad Izhar ul Haq, is a well-known columnist and a renowned poet of Urdu language, in Pakistan. He has four books of poetry to his credit:* Deevar e Aab * Ghadar* Parizad...
(Born 1948)
- Fehmida Riaz (born 1948)
- Syed Shakeel Desnavi (Born 1941)
- Sabir Hussain Sabir(1949)
- Kaif Rizvani( Born 1940)
- Jamshed Masroor (Born 1946)
- Sabir Hussain Sabir(Born in Poonch)
- Kaif Rizwani(born 1940))
1950
- Zahid Abrol
Vijay Kumar Abrol, , better known by his pen name Zahid Abrol, is a well-versed Indian Urdu poet. He has done the first-ever Urdu translation of the 12th century Sufi-poet Baba Farid’s shlokas and shabads and that too in verse.-Early life:Zahid Abrol was born in a Hindu Khatri family, to Mul Raj...
(Born 1950)
- Parveen Shakir
Parveen Shakir, PP was a Pakistani Urdu poetess, teacher and a civil servant of the Government of Pakistan....
(1953–1994)
- Naseer Ahmed Nasir (Born 1954)
- Noon Meem Danish
Noor Mohammed Danish , more commonly known as Noon Meem Danish or N. M. Danish, is a Pakistani poet of African and Baloch descent. He was raised in a working class family in Lyari, a largely African neighbourhood, which he describes as "Karachi's Harlem"...
(Born 1958)
- Rehan Azmi
Rehan Azmi, is a noted writer of Nohas, a poet and Song writer of Pakistan. His contributions and sincerity got him into the Guinness Book of World Records in 1997 for being the 7th speediest writers of poetry in this world...
(Born 1958)
- Ved Prakash Shukla,Sanjar (born 1955)
1960
S Mazhar Abbas Rizvi Dr (1964)
- Samina Raja
{{Unreferenced|date=October 2009}}
{{Cleanup|date=October 2009}}
{{See also|List of Urdu language writers}}
Listed below are major
UrduUrdu is a Central Indo-Aryan language of the Indo-Iranian branch, belonging to the Indo-European family of languages. It is one of the two official languages of Pakistan. It is also one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of five Indian states...
poets, sorted by date of birth. As far as possible, the
takhallus, or
nom de plumeA pen name, nom de plume, or literary double, is a pseudonym adopted by an author. A pen name may be used to make the author's name more distinctive, to disguise his or her gender, to distance an author from some or all of his or her works, to protect the author from retribution for his or her...
, is mentioned in italics after the name.
16th century
- Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah (1565–1611), wrote poetry primarily in Persian, but also in Hindavi
Hindavi , Hindawi, or Hindvi is the mother language of modern standard Urdu and later Hindi. It was formed as a result of the intermingling of Persian loanwords with the native Khariboli language spoken in Delhi and was written in the Perso-Arabic script...
17th and 18th centuries
- Wali Muhammad Wali, Wali Deccani (1667–1707)
- Mirza Mazhar Jan-e-Janaan
Mirza Mazhar Jan-e-Janaan was a renowned poet of Urdu in its early stages. He was also a great poet of Persian. He is also regarded as a Sufi Saint by some Sufi orders.-His Life:...
(1699–1781)
1700
- Mirza Muhammad Rafi
Mirza Muhammad Rafi 'Sauda was one of the best known poets of Urdu language in Delhi, India. He is known for his Ghazals and Urdu Qasidas. His birth year has not been confirmed and in some publications, it is listed as 1712...
, Sauda (1713–1780)
- Mirza Abdul Qadir, Bedil
- Mir Azmatullah Bilgrami, Bekhabar
- Khwaja Mir Dard
Khwaja Mir Dard was born in 1721 and died in 1785. He is one of the three major poets of the Delhi School—the other two being Mir Taqi Mir and 'Sauda'—who could be called the pillars of the classical Urdu ghazal....
, Dard (1721–1785)
- Mir Taqi Mir
Khuda-e-Sukhan Mir Taqi Mir , whose original name was Muhammad Taqi and takhallus was Mir , was the leading Urdu poet of the eighteenth century, and one of the pioneers who gave shape to the Urdu language itself...
, Mir (1723–1810)
- Nazeer Akbarabadi
Nazeer Akbarabadi was an Indian poet of 18th century who wrote Urdu ghazals and nazms under nom de plume "Nazeer". His father was Muhammad Farooq and his mother was the daughter of Nawab Sultan Khan who was the governor of Agra Fort...
, Nazeer (1740–1830)
- Bahadur Shah
Abu Zafar Sirajuddin Muhammad Bahadur Shah Zafar , also known as Bahadur Shah or Bahadur Shah II was the last of the Mughal emperors in India, as well as the last ruler of the Timurid Dynasty. He was the son of Akbar Shah II and Lalbai, who was a Hindu Rajput. He became the Mughal Emperor upon...
, Zafar (1775–1862)
- Khwaja Haidar Ali Atish
Khwaja Haider Ali Atish of Lucknow was one of the titans of Urdu poetry whose literary rivalry with his contemporary Nasikh produced some rare lyrical gems.-External links:* '-References:...
, Atish (1778–1846)
- Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, Zauq (1789–1854)
- Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib
Dabeer-ul-Mulk, Najm-ud-daulah Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan , pen-name Ghalib and Asad , was a great classical Urdu and Persian poet from India during British colonial rule...
, Ghalib (1796–1869)
19th century
- Brij Narayan Chakbast
Brij Narayan Chakbast was an Urdu poet.- Life :Chakbast was an Urdu poet. He was born in 19 January 1882 in a Saraswat Brahmin family of Kashmiri extraction settled in North India in 15th century A.D.. Chakbast was born in Faizabad in 1882...
, (1882-1926)
- Daya Shankar Kaul Nasim
Daya Shankar Kaul Nasim was a Urdu poet of the 19th century who won fame for his epic Gul Bakawali. He was defended by Brij Narayan Chakbast when it was suggested that he was not the author of this book.-External links:...
, (1811-1845)
- Hakim Momin Khan Momin
Momin Khan was an Indian poet famous for his Urdu ghazals and used "Momin" as his takhallus . He was born in Delhi. He was also called "Hakeem Khan" because he was a physician also. Hakeem is an Urdu word for physician.Momin is known for his particular Persianized style and the beautiful use of...
, Momin (1801–1852)
- Mirza Salaamat Ali
Mirza Salaamat Ali Dabeer was a leading Urdu poet who excelled and perfected the art of Marsiya writing. He is considered the leading exponent of Marsiya Nigari or marsiya writing along with Mir Anis....
Dabeer (1803-1875)
- Mir Babbar Ali
Mir Babbar Ali Anees was a renowned Urdu poet. He was born in Faizabad in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in 1803 and died in 1874....
Anis (1803-1874)
- Amir Meenai
Amir Meenai , an Urdu poet of eminence was born in 1826 at Lucknow and died in 1900 at Hyderabad. A popular poet both with the people and the aristocracy, he was held in high esteem by his contemporary poets like Ghalib and Daagh Dehalvi....
(1826–1900)
- Nawab Mirza Khan Dagh Dehlawi, Daagh (1831–1905)
- Altaf Hussain
Maulana Altaf Hussain Hali was an Urdu poet, and a friend of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. He is also one of the most well-regarded biographers of Ghalib's life, and a commentator of his poetry.-Early life:...
Hali (1837–1914)
- Alahazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan, Raza (1856-1924)
- Bekhud Badayuni
Muhammad Abdul-Hayy Siddiqui , writing under the pen-name Bekhud Badayuni , was one of the leading Urdu poets of the late 19th and early 20th centuries....
(Muhammad Abdul-Hayy Siddiqui), Bekhud (1857–1912)
- Syed Akbar Hussain Akbar Allahabadi
Akbar Allahabadi was a famous Indian Urdu poet.-Early life:Akabar Allahabadi who was born as Syed Akbar Hussain at Allahabad, India...
, Akbar Allahabadi (1846–1921)
- Firaq Gorakhpuri
Raghupati Sahay 'Firaq' Gorakhpuri was one of the most noted contemporary Urdu poets from India...
(Raghupati Sahay) (1896-1982)
- Hasrat Mohani
Maulana Hasrat Mohani was a romantic poet of Urdu language, journalist, politician, parliamentarian and a fearless freedom fighter of Indo-Pak Sub-continent . His real name was Syed Fazl ul Hasan. He was born in 1875 at Mohan in Unnao district of U.P. India.He was a brilliant student as well as...
, Syed Tafazzul Hussain Hasrat (1875–1952)
- Allama Shibli Nomani
Allama Shibli Nomani was an Indian scholar on Islam. He was born at Bindwal in Azamgarh district of present-day Uttar Pradesh. He is known for the founding the Shibli National College in 1883 and the Darul Mussanifin in Azamgarh. Shibli was a versatile scholar in Arabic, Persian, Hindi, Turkish...
(1857-1914)
- Syed Ghulam Bhik Nairang (1875-1952)
- Hazrat Allama Dr. Muhammad Iqbal
Hazrat Allama Sir Dr. Muhammad Iqbal was a Persian and Urdu poet, philosopher and politician whose vision of an independent state for the Muslims of British India was to inspire the creation of Pakistan...
Qadri (Muffakir-e-PakistanPakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located at the crossroads of South Asia, the Middle East, and Central Asia...
, Shair-e-Mashriq , Hakeem-ul-UmmatUmmat can have several meanings:-* Ummah, an Arabic: أمة) word meaning community or nation.* Daily Ummat, an is a newspaper in Pakistan....
, National poet of PakistanPakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located at the crossroads of South Asia, the Middle East, and Central Asia...
) (1877–1938)
- Tilok Chand Mahrum
Tilok Chand Mehroom was a famous Urdu poet of India.-Early life:Mehroom was born in Mianwali District, Punjab, India into a Hindu family. After earning his B.A...
(1885–1966)
- Jigar Muradabadi, Jigar (1890–1960)
- Mustafa Raza Khan
Mustafa Raza Khan, commonly known among the Muslims of the South Asia as Mufti e Azam e Hind, was born in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India in 1892. His father, Ahmed Raza Khan was the founder of the Barelwi movement in South Asia.. His grandfather, Moulana Naqi Ali Khan Mustafa Raza Khan, commonly...
, Noori (1892-1981)
- Josh Malihabadi
Josh Malihabadi was a noted Urdu poet born in British India, who was an Indian citizen until 1958, when he emigrated to Pakistan and became a Pakistani citizen...
, Josh (1898–1982)
1910
- Ihsan Danish
Ihsan Danish , was a prominent Urdu poet from Pakistan. His life marked the struggle of person who didn’t have more than a primary level of education, who worked as ordinary laborer for years in odd jobs, and finally became a poet of excellence...
(1914-1982)
- Krishan Chander
Krishan Chander was an Urdu and Hindi Afsaana Nigaar, or short story writer. He wrote mainly in Urdu, but was well-versed in Hindi and English....
(1914-1977)
- Noon Meem Rashid
Nazar Mohammed Rashid commonly known as Noon Meem Rashid or N.M. Rashid, was born as Raja Nazar Muhmmad Janjua...
(1910–1975)
- Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Faiz (1911–1984)
- Nushoor Wahidi
Nushoor Wahidi was a famous Indian Urdu poet.-Early life:Born in 1911 in the village of Sheikhpur, Ballia District, United Province Nushoor had 7 siblings...
(1911–1981)
- Ali Sardar Jafri
Ali Sardar Jafri was an Urdu writer, poet, critic and film lyricist from India.-Early life and education:...
(1913–2000)
- Jan Nisar Akhtar
Jan Nisar Akhtar was an important 20th century Indian poet of Urdu ghazals and nazms, and a part of the Progressive Writers' Movement, who was also a lyricist for Bollywood ....
(1914–1976)
- Majeed Amjad
Majeed Amjad was one of the greatest of modern Urdu poets of the Indian subcontinent. In the popular culture he is not as well known or widely read as Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Noon Meem Rashid, Nasir Kazmi or Meeraji but amongst the cognoscenti and many critics he is widely regarded as a philosophical...
(1914–1974)
- Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi, Nadeem (1916–2006)
- Zamir Jafri
Zamir Jafri was a Pakistani poet born in Jhelum. He became famous for his Urdu humorous poetry and also wrote humorous columns in the newspapers and periodicals. After graduating from Punjab University , he joined the army’s public relation department and retired as a major...
, Zamir (1916–1999)
- Shakeel Badayuni
Shakeel Badayuni was an accomplished Urdu poet, lyricist and songwriter.-Early life and background:Shakeel Badayuni was born in Badayun, Uttar Pradesh...
(1916–1970)
- Shan-ul-Haq Haqqee
Dr.Shanul Haq Haqqee , Sitara-e-Imtiaz, Tamgha-e-Quaid-i-Azam, was a notable Urdu poet, linguist, lexicographer, researcher, and writer of Pakistan....
(1917–2005)
- Jagannath Azad
Jagannath Azad was a prominent Urdu-speaking Hindu academic who wrote the first national anthem of Pakistan.- Early life :He was born on December 5, 1918 in the town of Isa Khel in western Punjab, which now lies in Pakistan...
(1918–2004)
- Kaifi Azmi
Kaifi Azmi was an Urdu and Hindi lyricist, poet and songwriter.-Early life:Kaifi Azmi was born as Syed Athar Hussain Rizvi into a family of landlords in the small village Mejwaan, in Azamgarh, district of Uttar Pradesh...
(1918–2002)
- Khumar Barabankvi
Khumar Barabankvi was an Urdu poet and lyricist from Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, India. His legal name was Mohammed Haidar Khan, but he wrote under the takhallus of Khumar.-External links:* *...
, Khumar (1919–1999)
- Qateel Shifai
Aurangzeb Khan or Qateel Shifai was a Pakistani Urdu poet.-Early life:Qateel Shifai was born in Haripur, Hazara Division, British India .-Career:...
, Qateel (1919–2001)
- Yazdani Jalandhari
Yazdani Jalandhari was a well known Urdu language poet from the Indian Subcontinent. His poetry collections include:*Saghar e Inq'laab *Subh e Saa'dat *Taurat e Dil *Tauseef...
(1915-1990)
- Saeeda Urooj Mazhar, (1916-1978) سعیدہ عروج مظھر
- Ranvir Dutt 'Amar Abadabadi'(1910-1992)
1920
- Ayyub Sabir (1923-1989)
- Nasir Kazmi
Syed Nasir Raza Kazmi, was a renowned Urdu poet of Pakistan. He was one of the greatest poets of this era, especially in the use of "ista'aaray" and "chhotee beher"....
, Nasir (1925-1972)
- Shabnam Romani
Mirza Azeem Baig Chughtai , known in literary circles by his pen name Shabnam Romani, was a renowned Urdu poet based in Karachi, Pakistan. Shabnam Romani wrote a number of books including Jazeera, Doosra Himala, and Tohmat. Romani was born in Shahjahanpur, India, but moved to Pakistan and lived...
,Shabnam Romani (1928-2009)
- Sahir Ludhianvi
Sahir Ludhianvi was a popular Urdu poet and Hindi lyricist and songwriter. Sahir Ludhianvi is his pseudonym...
, Sahir (1921–1980)
- Ibn-e-Insha
Ibn-e-Insha was an eminent Pakistani Leftist Urdu poet, humorist, travelogue writer and columnist. Along with his poetry, he was regarded one of the best humorists of Urdu...
, Insha (1927–1978)
- Munir Niazi
Munir Ahmad, better known as Munir Niazi, SI was one of the best-known and admired Urdu poets from Pakistan who also produced good poetry in the Panjabi language....
(1928–2006)
- Habib Jalib
Habib Jalib was one of the most renowned Pakistani revolutionary and Urdu poets of 20th century. A left wing activist and politician, he was a staunch democrat who opposed martial law, authoritarianism and state oppression....
(1928-1993)
- Dilawar Figar
Dilawar Figar, was a noted humorist, poet and scholar of the Pakistan. He is known as Shehansha-e-Zarafat and Akbar-e-Sani for his satirical and rich humor writings.- Life :...
(1928–1998)
- Dr.Wazeer Agha (born 1922)
1930
- Ahmad Faraz (1931-2008)
- Mustafa Zaidi
Syed Mustafa Hussain Zaidi was a renowned Urdu poet of Pakistan. He has the honor of having first published collection of ghazals and nazms at age 19.- Life :...
(1930–1970)
- Jon Elia
Jaun Elia was a notable Pakistani Urdu poet, philosopher, biographer and scholar. He was widely praised for his unique style of writing...
(1931–2003)
- Zafar Iqbal (born 1932)
- Syed Al-e-Ahmad
Syed Al-e-Ahmad was a well known Pakistani urdu poet, primarily of the Ghazal form, but also of Nazm. He used unique diction for his remarkable expressions regarding life and society.-Life:...
(1932–1999)
- Shakeb Jalali
Shakeb Jalali was a Pakistani Urdu poet of a unique diction.Shakeb Jalali's real name was Syed Hassan Rizvi. His ancestors were from a small town, Saddat Jalali, near Aligarh, India. In accordance with the well known Poet, Writer and authentic Critic Mr...
(1932–1966)
- Waheed Akhtar
Syed Waheed Akhtar was an Urdu poet, writer, critic, distinguished orator, and one of the leading Muslim scholars and philosophers of the 20th century.- Life :...
(1934–1996)
- Murtaza Birlas
Murtaza Birlas is one of the defining poets of modern Urdu Ghazal from Pakistan. His work has been published in respected journals and magazines of Urdu literature since the early 60s. He has published four compilations of Ghazal poetry. His style comprises strong expressions, with a whole hearted...
(born 1934)
- Aftab Iqbal Shamim
Aftab Iqbal Shamim is an Urdu language poet. Aftab Iqbal Shamim has taught English Literature at Gordon College Rawalpindi for many years. He has also taught at Beijing University for more than 14 years.-Career:...
(born 1936)
- Maajed Siddiqui (born 1938)
- Obaidullah Aleem
thumb|Obaidullah AleemObaidullah Aleem was a famous modern Ahmadi poet of Urdu language. He is ranked among the best Ghazal writers of modern times....
(1939–1997)
1940
- Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi
Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi also known as Sayyedna Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi or Hazrat Sayyedna Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi Muddazullahul Aali was a Muslim Sufi, author, spiritual leader and founder of the spiritual movement Anjuman...
(1941-2001)
- Iftikhar Arif
Iftikhar Hussain Arif, PP, SI, HI commonly known as Iftikhar Arif is an Urdu poet, scholar and littérateur from Pakistan. His style is romantic Urdu poetry. He has headed Academy Adbiyat, the Pakistan Academy of Letters and currently, he is the Chairman of Muqtadra Quami Zaban, the National...
(born 1943)
- Javed Akhtar
Javed Akhtar , is an Urdu and Hindi poet, lyricist and scriptwriter from India. Some of his most successful work was done in the late 1970s and 1980s with Salim Khan as half of the script-writing duo credited as Salim-Javed...
(born 1945)
- Shujaat Ali Rahi (born 1945)
- Ghulam Muhammad Qasir
Ghulam Muhammad Qasir was born in Paharpur, Dera Ismail Khan, NWFP, Pakistan, on September 4, 1944. He is considered to be one of the finest modern poets from Pakistan. He has been awarded with the Presidential Pride of performance award , by the Government of Pakistan in 2006-07, for his valuable...
, Qasir (1944–1999)
- Muhammad Izhar ul Haq
Muhammad Izhar ul Haq, is a well-known columnist and a renowned poet of Urdu language, in Pakistan. He has four books of poetry to his credit:* Deevar e Aab * Ghadar* Parizad...
(Born 1948)
- Fehmida Riaz (born 1948)
- Syed Shakeel Desnavi (Born 1941)
- Sabir Hussain Sabir(1949)
- Kaif Rizvani( Born 1940)
- Jamshed Masroor (Born 1946)
- Sabir Hussain Sabir(Born in Poonch)
- Kaif Rizwani(born 1940))
1950
- Zahid Abrol
Vijay Kumar Abrol, , better known by his pen name Zahid Abrol, is a well-versed Indian Urdu poet. He has done the first-ever Urdu translation of the 12th century Sufi-poet Baba Farid’s shlokas and shabads and that too in verse.-Early life:Zahid Abrol was born in a Hindu Khatri family, to Mul Raj...
(Born 1950)
- Parveen Shakir
Parveen Shakir, PP was a Pakistani Urdu poetess, teacher and a civil servant of the Government of Pakistan....
(1953–1994)
- Naseer Ahmed Nasir (Born 1954)
- Noon Meem Danish
Noor Mohammed Danish , more commonly known as Noon Meem Danish or N. M. Danish, is a Pakistani poet of African and Baloch descent. He was raised in a working class family in Lyari, a largely African neighbourhood, which he describes as "Karachi's Harlem"...
(Born 1958)
- Rehan Azmi
Rehan Azmi, is a noted writer of Nohas, a poet and Song writer of Pakistan. His contributions and sincerity got him into the Guinness Book of World Records in 1997 for being the 7th speediest writers of poetry in this world...
(Born 1958)
- Ved Prakash Shukla,Sanjar (born 1955)
1960
S Mazhar Abbas Rizvi Dr (1964)
- Samina Raja
{{Orphan|date=November 2008}}{{Orphan|date=November 2008}}{{Orphan|date=November 2008}}{{Orphan|date=November 2008}}{{Orphan|date=November 2008}}{{Orphan|date=November 2008}}
{{Unreferenced|date=October 2009}}
{{Cleanup|date=October 2009}}
{{See also|List of Urdu language writers}}
Listed below are major
UrduUrdu is a Central Indo-Aryan language of the Indo-Iranian branch, belonging to the Indo-European family of languages. It is one of the two official languages of Pakistan. It is also one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of five Indian states...
poets, sorted by date of birth. As far as possible, the
takhallus, or
nom de plumeA pen name, nom de plume, or literary double, is a pseudonym adopted by an author. A pen name may be used to make the author's name more distinctive, to disguise his or her gender, to distance an author from some or all of his or her works, to protect the author from retribution for his or her...
, is mentioned in italics after the name.
16th century
- Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah (1565–1611), wrote poetry primarily in Persian, but also in Hindavi
Hindavi , Hindawi, or Hindvi is the mother language of modern standard Urdu and later Hindi. It was formed as a result of the intermingling of Persian loanwords with the native Khariboli language spoken in Delhi and was written in the Perso-Arabic script...
17th and 18th centuries
- Wali Muhammad Wali, Wali Deccani (1667–1707)
- Mirza Mazhar Jan-e-Janaan
Mirza Mazhar Jan-e-Janaan was a renowned poet of Urdu in its early stages. He was also a great poet of Persian. He is also regarded as a Sufi Saint by some Sufi orders.-His Life:...
(1699–1781)
1700
- Mirza Muhammad Rafi
Mirza Muhammad Rafi 'Sauda was one of the best known poets of Urdu language in Delhi, India. He is known for his Ghazals and Urdu Qasidas. His birth year has not been confirmed and in some publications, it is listed as 1712...
, Sauda (1713–1780)
- Mirza Abdul Qadir, Bedil
- Mir Azmatullah Bilgrami, Bekhabar
- Khwaja Mir Dard
Khwaja Mir Dard was born in 1721 and died in 1785. He is one of the three major poets of the Delhi School—the other two being Mir Taqi Mir and 'Sauda'—who could be called the pillars of the classical Urdu ghazal....
, Dard (1721–1785)
- Mir Taqi Mir
Khuda-e-Sukhan Mir Taqi Mir , whose original name was Muhammad Taqi and takhallus was Mir , was the leading Urdu poet of the eighteenth century, and one of the pioneers who gave shape to the Urdu language itself...
, Mir (1723–1810)
- Nazeer Akbarabadi
Nazeer Akbarabadi was an Indian poet of 18th century who wrote Urdu ghazals and nazms under nom de plume "Nazeer". His father was Muhammad Farooq and his mother was the daughter of Nawab Sultan Khan who was the governor of Agra Fort...
, Nazeer (1740–1830)
- Bahadur Shah
Abu Zafar Sirajuddin Muhammad Bahadur Shah Zafar , also known as Bahadur Shah or Bahadur Shah II was the last of the Mughal emperors in India, as well as the last ruler of the Timurid Dynasty. He was the son of Akbar Shah II and Lalbai, who was a Hindu Rajput. He became the Mughal Emperor upon...
, Zafar (1775–1862)
- Khwaja Haidar Ali Atish
Khwaja Haider Ali Atish of Lucknow was one of the titans of Urdu poetry whose literary rivalry with his contemporary Nasikh produced some rare lyrical gems.-External links:* '-References:...
, Atish (1778–1846)
- Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, Zauq (1789–1854)
- Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib
Dabeer-ul-Mulk, Najm-ud-daulah Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan , pen-name Ghalib and Asad , was a great classical Urdu and Persian poet from India during British colonial rule...
, Ghalib (1796–1869)
19th century
- Brij Narayan Chakbast
Brij Narayan Chakbast was an Urdu poet.- Life :Chakbast was an Urdu poet. He was born in 19 January 1882 in a Saraswat Brahmin family of Kashmiri extraction settled in North India in 15th century A.D.. Chakbast was born in Faizabad in 1882...
, (1882-1926)
- Daya Shankar Kaul Nasim
Daya Shankar Kaul Nasim was a Urdu poet of the 19th century who won fame for his epic Gul Bakawali. He was defended by Brij Narayan Chakbast when it was suggested that he was not the author of this book.-External links:...
, (1811-1845)
- Hakim Momin Khan Momin
Momin Khan was an Indian poet famous for his Urdu ghazals and used "Momin" as his takhallus . He was born in Delhi. He was also called "Hakeem Khan" because he was a physician also. Hakeem is an Urdu word for physician.Momin is known for his particular Persianized style and the beautiful use of...
, Momin (1801–1852)
- Mirza Salaamat Ali
Mirza Salaamat Ali Dabeer was a leading Urdu poet who excelled and perfected the art of Marsiya writing. He is considered the leading exponent of Marsiya Nigari or marsiya writing along with Mir Anis....
Dabeer (1803-1875)
- Mir Babbar Ali
Mir Babbar Ali Anees was a renowned Urdu poet. He was born in Faizabad in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in 1803 and died in 1874....
Anis (1803-1874)
- Amir Meenai
Amir Meenai , an Urdu poet of eminence was born in 1826 at Lucknow and died in 1900 at Hyderabad. A popular poet both with the people and the aristocracy, he was held in high esteem by his contemporary poets like Ghalib and Daagh Dehalvi....
(1826–1900)
- Nawab Mirza Khan Dagh Dehlawi, Daagh (1831–1905)
- Altaf Hussain
Maulana Altaf Hussain Hali was an Urdu poet, and a friend of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. He is also one of the most well-regarded biographers of Ghalib's life, and a commentator of his poetry.-Early life:...
Hali (1837–1914)
- Alahazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan, Raza (1856-1924)
- Bekhud Badayuni
Muhammad Abdul-Hayy Siddiqui , writing under the pen-name Bekhud Badayuni , was one of the leading Urdu poets of the late 19th and early 20th centuries....
(Muhammad Abdul-Hayy Siddiqui), Bekhud (1857–1912)
- Syed Akbar Hussain Akbar Allahabadi
Akbar Allahabadi was a famous Indian Urdu poet.-Early life:Akabar Allahabadi who was born as Syed Akbar Hussain at Allahabad, India...
, Akbar Allahabadi (1846–1921)
- Firaq Gorakhpuri
Raghupati Sahay 'Firaq' Gorakhpuri was one of the most noted contemporary Urdu poets from India...
(Raghupati Sahay) (1896-1982)
- Hasrat Mohani
Maulana Hasrat Mohani was a romantic poet of Urdu language, journalist, politician, parliamentarian and a fearless freedom fighter of Indo-Pak Sub-continent . His real name was Syed Fazl ul Hasan. He was born in 1875 at Mohan in Unnao district of U.P. India.He was a brilliant student as well as...
, Syed Tafazzul Hussain Hasrat (1875–1952)
- Allama Shibli Nomani
Allama Shibli Nomani was an Indian scholar on Islam. He was born at Bindwal in Azamgarh district of present-day Uttar Pradesh. He is known for the founding the Shibli National College in 1883 and the Darul Mussanifin in Azamgarh. Shibli was a versatile scholar in Arabic, Persian, Hindi, Turkish...
(1857-1914)
- Syed Ghulam Bhik Nairang (1875-1952)
- Hazrat Allama Dr. Muhammad Iqbal
Hazrat Allama Sir Dr. Muhammad Iqbal was a Persian and Urdu poet, philosopher and politician whose vision of an independent state for the Muslims of British India was to inspire the creation of Pakistan...
Qadri (Muffakir-e-PakistanPakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located at the crossroads of South Asia, the Middle East, and Central Asia...
, Shair-e-Mashriq , Hakeem-ul-UmmatUmmat can have several meanings:-* Ummah, an Arabic: أمة) word meaning community or nation.* Daily Ummat, an is a newspaper in Pakistan....
, National poet of PakistanPakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located at the crossroads of South Asia, the Middle East, and Central Asia...
) (1877–1938)
- Tilok Chand Mahrum
Tilok Chand Mehroom was a famous Urdu poet of India.-Early life:Mehroom was born in Mianwali District, Punjab, India into a Hindu family. After earning his B.A...
(1885–1966)
- Jigar Muradabadi, Jigar (1890–1960)
- Mustafa Raza Khan
Mustafa Raza Khan, commonly known among the Muslims of the South Asia as Mufti e Azam e Hind, was born in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India in 1892. His father, Ahmed Raza Khan was the founder of the Barelwi movement in South Asia.. His grandfather, Moulana Naqi Ali Khan Mustafa Raza Khan, commonly...
, Noori (1892-1981)
- Josh Malihabadi
Josh Malihabadi was a noted Urdu poet born in British India, who was an Indian citizen until 1958, when he emigrated to Pakistan and became a Pakistani citizen...
, Josh (1898–1982)
1910
- Ihsan Danish
Ihsan Danish , was a prominent Urdu poet from Pakistan. His life marked the struggle of person who didn’t have more than a primary level of education, who worked as ordinary laborer for years in odd jobs, and finally became a poet of excellence...
(1914-1982)
- Krishan Chander
Krishan Chander was an Urdu and Hindi Afsaana Nigaar, or short story writer. He wrote mainly in Urdu, but was well-versed in Hindi and English....
(1914-1977)
- Noon Meem Rashid
Nazar Mohammed Rashid commonly known as Noon Meem Rashid or N.M. Rashid, was born as Raja Nazar Muhmmad Janjua...
(1910–1975)
- Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Faiz (1911–1984)
- Nushoor Wahidi
Nushoor Wahidi was a famous Indian Urdu poet.-Early life:Born in 1911 in the village of Sheikhpur, Ballia District, United Province Nushoor had 7 siblings...
(1911–1981)
- Ali Sardar Jafri
Ali Sardar Jafri was an Urdu writer, poet, critic and film lyricist from India.-Early life and education:...
(1913–2000)
- Jan Nisar Akhtar
Jan Nisar Akhtar was an important 20th century Indian poet of Urdu ghazals and nazms, and a part of the Progressive Writers' Movement, who was also a lyricist for Bollywood ....
(1914–1976)
- Majeed Amjad
Majeed Amjad was one of the greatest of modern Urdu poets of the Indian subcontinent. In the popular culture he is not as well known or widely read as Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Noon Meem Rashid, Nasir Kazmi or Meeraji but amongst the cognoscenti and many critics he is widely regarded as a philosophical...
(1914–1974)
- Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi, Nadeem (1916–2006)
- Zamir Jafri
Zamir Jafri was a Pakistani poet born in Jhelum. He became famous for his Urdu humorous poetry and also wrote humorous columns in the newspapers and periodicals. After graduating from Punjab University , he joined the army’s public relation department and retired as a major...
, Zamir (1916–1999)
- Shakeel Badayuni
Shakeel Badayuni was an accomplished Urdu poet, lyricist and songwriter.-Early life and background:Shakeel Badayuni was born in Badayun, Uttar Pradesh...
(1916–1970)
- Shan-ul-Haq Haqqee
Dr.Shanul Haq Haqqee , Sitara-e-Imtiaz, Tamgha-e-Quaid-i-Azam, was a notable Urdu poet, linguist, lexicographer, researcher, and writer of Pakistan....
(1917–2005)
- Jagannath Azad
Jagannath Azad was a prominent Urdu-speaking Hindu academic who wrote the first national anthem of Pakistan.- Early life :He was born on December 5, 1918 in the town of Isa Khel in western Punjab, which now lies in Pakistan...
(1918–2004)
- Kaifi Azmi
Kaifi Azmi was an Urdu and Hindi lyricist, poet and songwriter.-Early life:Kaifi Azmi was born as Syed Athar Hussain Rizvi into a family of landlords in the small village Mejwaan, in Azamgarh, district of Uttar Pradesh...
(1918–2002)
- Khumar Barabankvi
Khumar Barabankvi was an Urdu poet and lyricist from Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, India. His legal name was Mohammed Haidar Khan, but he wrote under the takhallus of Khumar.-External links:* *...
, Khumar (1919–1999)
- Qateel Shifai
Aurangzeb Khan or Qateel Shifai was a Pakistani Urdu poet.-Early life:Qateel Shifai was born in Haripur, Hazara Division, British India .-Career:...
, Qateel (1919–2001)
- Yazdani Jalandhari
Yazdani Jalandhari was a well known Urdu language poet from the Indian Subcontinent. His poetry collections include:*Saghar e Inq'laab *Subh e Saa'dat *Taurat e Dil *Tauseef...
(1915-1990)
- Saeeda Urooj Mazhar, (1916-1978) سعیدہ عروج مظھر
- Ranvir Dutt 'Amar Abadabadi'(1910-1992)
1920
- Ayyub Sabir (1923-1989)
- Nasir Kazmi
Syed Nasir Raza Kazmi, was a renowned Urdu poet of Pakistan. He was one of the greatest poets of this era, especially in the use of "ista'aaray" and "chhotee beher"....
, Nasir (1925-1972)
- Shabnam Romani
Mirza Azeem Baig Chughtai , known in literary circles by his pen name Shabnam Romani, was a renowned Urdu poet based in Karachi, Pakistan. Shabnam Romani wrote a number of books including Jazeera, Doosra Himala, and Tohmat. Romani was born in Shahjahanpur, India, but moved to Pakistan and lived...
,Shabnam Romani (1928-2009)
- Sahir Ludhianvi
Sahir Ludhianvi was a popular Urdu poet and Hindi lyricist and songwriter. Sahir Ludhianvi is his pseudonym...
, Sahir (1921–1980)
- Ibn-e-Insha
Ibn-e-Insha was an eminent Pakistani Leftist Urdu poet, humorist, travelogue writer and columnist. Along with his poetry, he was regarded one of the best humorists of Urdu...
, Insha (1927–1978)
- Munir Niazi
Munir Ahmad, better known as Munir Niazi, SI was one of the best-known and admired Urdu poets from Pakistan who also produced good poetry in the Panjabi language....
(1928–2006)
- Habib Jalib
Habib Jalib was one of the most renowned Pakistani revolutionary and Urdu poets of 20th century. A left wing activist and politician, he was a staunch democrat who opposed martial law, authoritarianism and state oppression....
(1928-1993)
- Dilawar Figar
Dilawar Figar, was a noted humorist, poet and scholar of the Pakistan. He is known as Shehansha-e-Zarafat and Akbar-e-Sani for his satirical and rich humor writings.- Life :...
(1928–1998)
- Dr.Wazeer Agha (born 1922)
1930
- Ahmad Faraz (1931-2008)
- Mustafa Zaidi
Syed Mustafa Hussain Zaidi was a renowned Urdu poet of Pakistan. He has the honor of having first published collection of ghazals and nazms at age 19.- Life :...
(1930–1970)
- Jon Elia
Jaun Elia was a notable Pakistani Urdu poet, philosopher, biographer and scholar. He was widely praised for his unique style of writing...
(1931–2003)
- Zafar Iqbal (born 1932)
- Syed Al-e-Ahmad
Syed Al-e-Ahmad was a well known Pakistani urdu poet, primarily of the Ghazal form, but also of Nazm. He used unique diction for his remarkable expressions regarding life and society.-Life:...
(1932–1999)
- Shakeb Jalali
Shakeb Jalali was a Pakistani Urdu poet of a unique diction.Shakeb Jalali's real name was Syed Hassan Rizvi. His ancestors were from a small town, Saddat Jalali, near Aligarh, India. In accordance with the well known Poet, Writer and authentic Critic Mr...
(1932–1966)
- Waheed Akhtar
Syed Waheed Akhtar was an Urdu poet, writer, critic, distinguished orator, and one of the leading Muslim scholars and philosophers of the 20th century.- Life :...
(1934–1996)
- Murtaza Birlas
Murtaza Birlas is one of the defining poets of modern Urdu Ghazal from Pakistan. His work has been published in respected journals and magazines of Urdu literature since the early 60s. He has published four compilations of Ghazal poetry. His style comprises strong expressions, with a whole hearted...
(born 1934)
- Aftab Iqbal Shamim
Aftab Iqbal Shamim is an Urdu language poet. Aftab Iqbal Shamim has taught English Literature at Gordon College Rawalpindi for many years. He has also taught at Beijing University for more than 14 years.-Career:...
(born 1936)
- Maajed Siddiqui (born 1938)
- Obaidullah Aleem
thumb|Obaidullah AleemObaidullah Aleem was a famous modern Ahmadi poet of Urdu language. He is ranked among the best Ghazal writers of modern times....
(1939–1997)
1940
- Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi
Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi also known as Sayyedna Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi or Hazrat Sayyedna Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi Muddazullahul Aali was a Muslim Sufi, author, spiritual leader and founder of the spiritual movement Anjuman...
(1941-2001)
- Iftikhar Arif
Iftikhar Hussain Arif, PP, SI, HI commonly known as Iftikhar Arif is an Urdu poet, scholar and littérateur from Pakistan. His style is romantic Urdu poetry. He has headed Academy Adbiyat, the Pakistan Academy of Letters and currently, he is the Chairman of Muqtadra Quami Zaban, the National...
(born 1943)
- Javed Akhtar
Javed Akhtar , is an Urdu and Hindi poet, lyricist and scriptwriter from India. Some of his most successful work was done in the late 1970s and 1980s with Salim Khan as half of the script-writing duo credited as Salim-Javed...
(born 1945)
- Shujaat Ali Rahi (born 1945)
- Ghulam Muhammad Qasir
Ghulam Muhammad Qasir was born in Paharpur, Dera Ismail Khan, NWFP, Pakistan, on September 4, 1944. He is considered to be one of the finest modern poets from Pakistan. He has been awarded with the Presidential Pride of performance award , by the Government of Pakistan in 2006-07, for his valuable...
, Qasir (1944–1999)
- Muhammad Izhar ul Haq
Muhammad Izhar ul Haq, is a well-known columnist and a renowned poet of Urdu language, in Pakistan. He has four books of poetry to his credit:* Deevar e Aab * Ghadar* Parizad...
(Born 1948)
- Fehmida Riaz (born 1948)
- Syed Shakeel Desnavi (Born 1941)
- Sabir Hussain Sabir(1949)
- Kaif Rizvani( Born 1940)
- Jamshed Masroor (Born 1946)
- Sabir Hussain Sabir(Born in Poonch)
- Kaif Rizwani(born 1940))
1950
- Zahid Abrol
Vijay Kumar Abrol, , better known by his pen name Zahid Abrol, is a well-versed Indian Urdu poet. He has done the first-ever Urdu translation of the 12th century Sufi-poet Baba Farid’s shlokas and shabads and that too in verse.-Early life:Zahid Abrol was born in a Hindu Khatri family, to Mul Raj...
(Born 1950)
- Parveen Shakir
Parveen Shakir, PP was a Pakistani Urdu poetess, teacher and a civil servant of the Government of Pakistan....
(1953–1994)
- Naseer Ahmed Nasir (Born 1954)
- Noon Meem Danish
Noor Mohammed Danish , more commonly known as Noon Meem Danish or N. M. Danish, is a Pakistani poet of African and Baloch descent. He was raised in a working class family in Lyari, a largely African neighbourhood, which he describes as "Karachi's Harlem"...
(Born 1958)
- Rehan Azmi
Rehan Azmi, is a noted writer of Nohas, a poet and Song writer of Pakistan. His contributions and sincerity got him into the Guinness Book of World Records in 1997 for being the 7th speediest writers of poetry in this world...
(Born 1958)
- Ved Prakash Shukla,Sanjar (born 1955)
1960
S Mazhar Abbas Rizvi Dr (1964)
- Samina Raja
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(1961)
- Noshi Gilani (1964)
- Harris Khalique
Harris Khalique is a Pakistani poet, public intellectual and politician who is one of the initiators of the newly founded Awami Party...
(Born 1966)
- Obaid Azam Azmi (1968)
Other major poets
- Majaz
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अभी कुछ और, कुछ और है, कुछ और है साकी
Majaz Lakhnawi , 1909 - 5 December 1955, was a romantic revolutionary poet of India born in Rudauli, Bara Banki. His real name was Asrar ul Haq...
- Gulzar
Sampooran Singh Kalra , better known by his pen name Gulzar , is an Indian poet, lyricist and director. Gulzaar primarily works in Hindi-Urdu...
- Zafar Iqbal
- Waheed Ahmed
Dr. Waheed Ahmed, is a renowned Urdu poet based in Islamabad, Pakistan. He specialises in the genre of Nazm and has two books of poetry to his credit: Shaffafian, and Ham aag churate hein. Waheed has also written a novel, Zeno...
- Kishwar Naheed
Kishwar Naheed, Sitara-e-Imtiaz is an Urdu poet from Pakistan known for her pioneering feminist poetry.Born in Bulandshahr, India, Kishwar was witness to the violence associated with partition, and herself moved with her family to Pakistan in 1949...
- Amjad Islam Amjad
Amjad Islam Amjad, PP, SI is a famous Urdu poet, drama writer and lyricist from Pakistan.-Life and career:...
- Bashir Badr
-Career:Bashir Badr has over 18,000 couplets to his name and countless Urdu ghazals.He has also been named the chairman of the Urdu Akademi, and is the most commonly sung and recited Urdu poet.He is a very good urdu poet.-Personal life:...
- Kausar Mahmood (born 1962)
- Noshi Gillani
Noshi Gillani is a poet who lives in the United States. She has published five collections of poetry. A compilation of her selected poems, Ay Meeray Shureek-E-Risal-E-Jaan, Hum Tera Intezaar Kurtay Rahey , was published in 2008...
(born 1964)
- Syed Ishtiaq Hussain Kazmi(born 1983)
- Rashmi Badshah (born 1966)
- Muhammad Ammad-Ud-Din Yaad
Muhammad Ammad-Ud-Din Yaad born 26 January 1979 at PAF Hospital, Sargodha, Pakistan is a young Urdu poet from Lahore, Pakistan. He is an MBA from IBA and working in the private sector on an executive level.His father, Dr...
- Tanwir Phool