Biography of Mirza Ghalib 

We are really proud to bring the biography of Mirza Ghalib a legend pen named Mirza Ghalib, Mirza Asadullah Beg Khan, popularly known as Mirza Ghalib, was one of the most renowned Urdu poets and scholars of the 19th century. He was poet who perfectly captured the decrepit beauty of a declining Mughal empire, slowly being displaced by the edifices of the colonial British Raj, Before starting lets remember that Ghalib had written over 11,000 Persian poems in Persian while also writing over 1,700 Urdu poems.

Early Life

He was born on December 27, 1797, in Agra, India, into a family of Persian and Turkish descent. His father, Abdullah Beg Khan, was a court official in the Mughal Empire, and his mother, Izzat-ut-Nisa, was a daughter of Nawab Ilahi Bakhsh.  Mirza Ghalib was born in Kala Mahal, Agra into a family of Mughals who moved from Samarkand (in modern-day Uzbekistan) after the downfall of the Seljuk kings.

His paternal grandfather, Mirza Qoqan Baig, was a Seljuq Turk who had immigrated to India from Samarkand during the reign of Ahmad Shah (1748–54). He worked in Lahore, Delhi and Jaipur, was awarded the sub-district of Pahasu (Bulandshahr, UP) and finally settled in Agra, UP, India.

His Education

Ghalib was educated in Persian, Arabic, and Urdu and was well-versed in literature, philosophy, and history. He started writing poetry at a young age, and by the time he was in his twenties, he had established himself as one of the leading poets of the era. Ghalib’s poetry was characterized by its deep and philosophical themes, its use of metaphors and similes, and its intricate and complex language.

His Marriage & family:

Ghalib was married at a very young age to Umrao Begum. After marriage he moved to Delhi and was blessed with four sons and three daughters who didn’t survive long.

His Pen Names

His original Takhallus (pen-name) was Asad (meaning lion), drawn from his given name, Asadullah Khan. At some point early in his poetic career he also decided to adopt the pen-name of Ghalib (meaning all conquering, superior, most excellent).

Types of his Poetry

Three forms of poetry. Ghalib’s best poems were written in three forms: ghazal (lyric), masnavi (moralistic or mystical parable), and qasidah (panegyric).

Throughout his life, Ghalib faced many personal and professional challenges. He lost his father at an early age and struggled to make ends meet. He also faced a lot of criticism from his contemporaries who found his poetry too complex and difficult to understand. However, despite these challenges, Ghalib continued to write and produce some of the most memorable works of Urdu literature.

His Heavenly Writings

Ghalib is a complex poet. His world is too vast and too contradictory to fit into any one category of things. His Ghazals are unique, not only for intensity of the emotions the express, but also for their absolutely perfect form, their exquisite melody, and the profound feeling for the beauty of the world which they reveal. Ghalib sang ‘all the phases of life’; his was a range and depth of feeling no other Urdu poet had. His love is not idealistic and self-surrendering, but purely sensuous.

His famous Creations

After a glance of biography of mirza ghalib, remember Ghalib’s poetry was widely appreciated during his lifetime and continues to be revered today. Ghalib was appointed as a poet tutor to the royal family and the royal historian of Mughal court by Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar II. He was given the honorific title Mirza Nosha and thus he came to be known as Mirza Ghalib. His work has been translated into many languages and has inspired countless poets and writers around the world. Some of Ghalib’s most famous creations include:

1. Diwan-e-Ghalib: This is a collection of Ghalib’s poetry, which contains some of his most famous works. The collection includes ghazals, nazms, and other forms of Urdu poetry.

2. “Aah ko chahiye ek umr asar hone tak”: This ghazal is one of Ghalib’s most famous works and is widely regarded as a masterpiece. The poem reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death.

3. “Dil-e-nadaan tujhe hua kya hai”: This ghazal is a poignant reflection on love and the pain of separation. The poem has been set to music and has become a popular song.

4. “Hazaron khwahishein aisi”: This ghazal is a reflection on the struggles of life and the desire for freedom. The poem is considered one of Ghalib’s most powerful works.

5. “Har ek baat pe kehte ho”: This ghazal is a satirical commentary on the hypocrisy and pretensions of society. The poem is a testament to Ghalib’s wit and sarcasm.

His Last Time

He died in New Delhi on February 15, 1869 and buried in hazrat nizamuddin. The house where he lived at Old Delhi has been turned into a memorial and hosts a permanent Ghalib exhibition also know as Ghalib ki Haveli. Ghalib was buried in Hazrat Nizamuddin near the tomb of Nizamuddin Auliya.

We could bring to you the biography of Mirza Ghalib and in subsequent posts will share his greatest creations.

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