Waheed Qureshi
Encyclopedia
Prof. Dr
. Waheed Qureshi Ph.D.
, D.Litt
, Pride of Performance
(Urdu
: وحید قریشی) (February 14, 1925 — October 17, 2009) was a noted linguist
, critic
, writer
, researcher
, educationalist and scholar of Urdu literature
and oriental languages from Pakistan
. Waheed Qureshi was one of the foremost scholars who helped shape the mood and colour of research on oriental languages and literature.
), Dr Waheed Qureshi got his early education in Lahore
. He obtained honours degree in Persian
in 1944, masters degree in Persian in 1946 and masters degree in History
in 1950 from Government College, Lahore.
From 1947 to 1950, he remained Alfred Patiala Research Scholar in Punjab University, Lahore. In 1952, he wrote thesis "Insha Literature in Persion - A Critical Study" and obtained PhD
degree on classical Persian prose. He wrote another research dissertation on Mir Hasan and his poetry in 1964, and obtained D.Litt
in Urdu
.
Being devoted to books since childhood, he began building his personal library when he was a student and turned it into a sizable collection of rare Urdu
and Persian
books and manuscripts.
as its chairman, he got published a large number of research dissertations and technical books and strove for the implementation of Urdu
as the official language
of Pakistan
.
He entered into the literary circles with a bang in late 1940s when he wrote Shibli ki hayat-i-muashuqa, a research work that unearthed the love-life of Shibli Nomani
, a renowned Muslim scholar, and tried to portray him as a human in the light of Freudian theories. He psychoanalysed Shibli’s personality as reflected in his Persian ghazals and his letters addressed to Atiya Fayzee.
In addition to his two doctoral dissertations, his works that earned him name and respect of his peers were his critical studies, research papers and annotated and edited versions of some classical Urdu
and Persian
works. Another contribution of his is towards understanding the ideological basis of Pakistan
, Pakistan movement
and poetry of Iqbal
. He remained editor of several literary and research journals, including Saheefa, Iqbal Review and Iqbal, for many years. The institutions that benefited from his acumen include Maghribi Pakistan Urdu Academy, Bazm-i-Iqbal and Iqbal Academy
. He holds the charge of Director Iqbal Academy
Pakistan from July 1982 to April 1983 in first term and from September 1993 to June 1997 in second term.
He wrote around 30 books. His vast and deep study of oriental literature, acquaintance with the German
and French
languages and exposure to social sciences helped him create a distinct literary approach and style that beautifully entwined criticism with research.
Dr. Waheed Qureshi was a researcher, critic, poet, teacher, administrator and known as a witty person. One manifestation of his wit was his satirical literary column in Daily Jang
, which he wrote with the pseudonym Mir Jumla Lahori. He also gave comic speeches on Radio Pakistan on several occasions.
He was given several awards by the Government of Pakistan
including Niaz Fatehpuri Award in 1984, Tufail Award in 1986 and Iqbal Award in 2003. The most notable award he achieved was Pride of Performance
in 1993.
Doctor (title)
Doctor, as a title, originates from the Latin word of the same spelling and meaning. The word is originally an agentive noun of the Latin verb docēre . It has been used as an honored academic title for over a millennium in Europe, where it dates back to the rise of the university. This use spread...
. Waheed Qureshi Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
, D.Litt
Doctor of Letters
Doctor of Letters is a university academic degree, often a higher doctorate which is frequently awarded as an honorary degree in recognition of outstanding scholarship or other merits.-Commonwealth:...
, Pride of Performance
Pride of Performance
Pride of Performance , is one of the highest civil award given and conferred by the Pakistan Government to Pakistan's citizens in recognition of distinguished merit in the fields of Literature, Arts, Sports, Medicines, and Science for civilians in most particular cases.The announcement of civil...
(Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
: وحید قریشی) (February 14, 1925 — October 17, 2009) was a noted linguist
Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. Linguistics can be broadly broken into three categories or subfields of study: language form, language meaning, and language in context....
, critic
Critic
A critic is anyone who expresses a value judgement. Informally, criticism is a common aspect of all human expression and need not necessarily imply skilled or accurate expressions of judgement. Critical judgements, good or bad, may be positive , negative , or balanced...
, writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, researcher
Researcher
A researcher is somebody who performs research, the search for knowledge or in general any systematic investigation to establish facts. Researchers can work in academic, industrial, government, or private institutions.-Examples of research institutions:...
, educationalist and scholar of Urdu literature
Urdu literature
Urdu literature has a long and colorful history that is inextricably tied to the development of that very language, Urdu, in which it is written...
and oriental languages from Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. Waheed Qureshi was one of the foremost scholars who helped shape the mood and colour of research on oriental languages and literature.
Education
Born as Abdul Waheed on February 14, 1925 in Mianwali (now in PakistanPakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
), Dr Waheed Qureshi got his early education in Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
. He obtained honours degree in Persian
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
in 1944, masters degree in Persian in 1946 and masters degree in History
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
in 1950 from Government College, Lahore.
From 1947 to 1950, he remained Alfred Patiala Research Scholar in Punjab University, Lahore. In 1952, he wrote thesis "Insha Literature in Persion - A Critical Study" and obtained PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
degree on classical Persian prose. He wrote another research dissertation on Mir Hasan and his poetry in 1964, and obtained D.Litt
Doctor of Letters
Doctor of Letters is a university academic degree, often a higher doctorate which is frequently awarded as an honorary degree in recognition of outstanding scholarship or other merits.-Commonwealth:...
in Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
.
Being devoted to books since childhood, he began building his personal library when he was a student and turned it into a sizable collection of rare Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
and Persian
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
books and manuscripts.
Career
Waheed Qureshi was appointed lecturer in Oriental College, Punjab University, Lahore in 1963 and he became its principal in 1980. He worked as dean of Islamic and Oriental Learning for years. During his tenure at the National Language AuthorityNational Language Authority
The National Language Authority is an autonomous regulatory institution established in 1979 to support the advancement and promotion of Urdu which is the national language of Pakistan. Initially it was aimed at creating a synergy between national and provincial governments and institutions for...
as its chairman, he got published a large number of research dissertations and technical books and strove for the implementation of Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
as the official language
Official language
An official language is a language that is given a special legal status in a particular country, state, or other jurisdiction. Typically a nation's official language will be the one used in that nation's courts, parliament and administration. However, official status can also be used to give a...
of Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
.
He entered into the literary circles with a bang in late 1940s when he wrote Shibli ki hayat-i-muashuqa, a research work that unearthed the love-life of Shibli Nomani
Shibli Nomani
Allamah Shibli Nomani was a respected scholar of Islam from Indian subcontinent during British Raj. 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...
, a renowned Muslim scholar, and tried to portray him as a human in the light of Freudian theories. He psychoanalysed Shibli’s personality as reflected in his Persian ghazals and his letters addressed to Atiya Fayzee.
In addition to his two doctoral dissertations, his works that earned him name and respect of his peers were his critical studies, research papers and annotated and edited versions of some classical Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
and Persian
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
works. Another contribution of his is towards understanding the ideological basis of Pakistan
Two-Nation Theory
The Two-Nation Theory proposed by Allama Iqbal is the ideology that the primary identity of Muslims in the Indian subcontinent is their religion, rather than their language or ethnicity, and therefore Indian Hindus and Muslims are two distinct nationalities, regardless of ethnic or other...
, Pakistan movement
Pakistan Movement
The Pakistan Movement or Tehrik-e-Pakistan refers to the historical movement to have an independent Muslim state named Pakistan created from the separation of the north-western region of the Indian subcontinent, partitioned within or outside the British Indian Empire. It had its origins in the...
and poetry of Iqbal
Muhammad Iqbal
Sir Muhammad Iqbal , commonly referred to as Allama Iqbal , was a poet and philosopher born in Sialkot, then in the Punjab Province of British India, now in Pakistan...
. He remained editor of several literary and research journals, including Saheefa, Iqbal Review and Iqbal, for many years. The institutions that benefited from his acumen include Maghribi Pakistan Urdu Academy, Bazm-i-Iqbal and Iqbal Academy
Iqbal Academy
The Iqbal Academy in Lahore, Punjab , was founded in 1951 by the Iqbal Academy Act and re-enacted through the Iqbal Academy Ordinance No.XXVI of 1962. It is a statutory body of the Government of Pakistan, and a centre of excellence for studies on the life and works of Muhammad Iqbal. Until 1997,...
. He holds the charge of Director Iqbal Academy
Iqbal Academy
The Iqbal Academy in Lahore, Punjab , was founded in 1951 by the Iqbal Academy Act and re-enacted through the Iqbal Academy Ordinance No.XXVI of 1962. It is a statutory body of the Government of Pakistan, and a centre of excellence for studies on the life and works of Muhammad Iqbal. Until 1997,...
Pakistan from July 1982 to April 1983 in first term and from September 1993 to June 1997 in second term.
He wrote around 30 books. His vast and deep study of oriental literature, acquaintance with the German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
and French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
languages and exposure to social sciences helped him create a distinct literary approach and style that beautifully entwined criticism with research.
Dr. Waheed Qureshi was a researcher, critic, poet, teacher, administrator and known as a witty person. One manifestation of his wit was his satirical literary column in Daily Jang
Daily Jang
The Daily Jang is an Urdu newspaper based in Pakistan. It is the oldest newspaper of Pakistan in continuous publication since its foundation in 1939. Its current Group Chief Executive & Editor-in-Chief is Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman....
, which he wrote with the pseudonym Mir Jumla Lahori. He also gave comic speeches on Radio Pakistan on several occasions.
He was given several awards by the Government of Pakistan
Government of Pakistan
The Government of Pakistan is a federal parliamentary system, with an indirectly-elected President as the Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Pakistani Armed Forces, and an indirectly-elected Prime Minister as the Head of Government. The President’s appointment and term are...
including Niaz Fatehpuri Award in 1984, Tufail Award in 1986 and Iqbal Award in 2003. The most notable award he achieved was Pride of Performance
Pride of Performance
Pride of Performance , is one of the highest civil award given and conferred by the Pakistan Government to Pakistan's citizens in recognition of distinguished merit in the fields of Literature, Arts, Sports, Medicines, and Science for civilians in most particular cases.The announcement of civil...
in 1993.