Iqtibas اقتباس
@iqtibaas88
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کتابِ زندگی سے اقتباسات Mostly literary stuff: excerpts from Urdu/Hindi/English books, quotations, musings Also: food, plants & paintings
New Delhi/Gurgaon
Joined February 2022
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Najaf Khan's Tomb in Spring (February 2019), New Delhi
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'Om', the monthly Urdu magazine on Hindu spirituality,used to be published from Delhi till the 80s. It began in Lahore in 1934. Its editor was Gorakhnath Nanda. As a child I saw old editions of 'Om' in homes of older generation of Urdu-literate Punjabi Hindus (its major readers).
Hindu mantra in Urdu Perso-Arabic script (om shanti shanti shanti)
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Kumar Shahani's movie Kasba (1990), shot in Kangra Valley, is one of the very few Hindi movies that feature Pahari wall paintings in traditional homes. Here are some screenshots (Note the 'namaste' written in Nastaliq over the entrance).
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A list of 07 documentaries on Music, Urdu Literature, Culture etc. available on YouTube, that I like and watch occassionally:
1. Dhrupad dir. Mani Kaul
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A recipe for layered Mango Rice ('Biranj Anba') from the era of Mughal Emperor Alamgir.
Pulp of ripe mangoes is mixed with saffron & cream,then layered with rice & milk. Cooked in 'dum'. Lastly garnished with mango slices.
Urdu recipe from Salma Hussain's book 'Shahi Ziyafatein'
#EidMubarak
to everyone.
Sharing special Mango Biryani to my lovely Tweeps!
Please spread the Mango lub❤️🤣
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Here is my hastily written English translation of this Mughal-era Mango Rice 'Biranj Anba' recipe:
A recipe for layered Mango Rice ('Biranj Anba') from the era of Mughal Emperor Alamgir.
Pulp of ripe mangoes is mixed with saffron & cream,then layered with rice & milk. Cooked in 'dum'. Lastly garnished with mango slices.
Urdu recipe from Salma Hussain's book 'Shahi Ziyafatein'
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A list of 7 Urdu books on the history, language & culture of Delhi, available to read & download online on , plus an 8th book. These are part of a series of e-books typed & uploaded by a group of lovers of Urdu literature. Must appreciate their efforts 👇
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🧵 Mirza Ghalib's daily life,with some old pics :
Hameed Ahmad Khan writes about an interesting interview he had with a very old member of Ghalib's household in 1936. He met Ghalib's 'bahu', Muazzam Zamani Begum, aka 'Bigga Begum' in her haveli (Loharu-walon ki Haveli).
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In his book on Lucknow's cuisine, Mirza Jaafar Husain writes about a unique family recipe for a very large type of kebab, called 'Kofta-e Mualla-e Ajami'.
It was a favourite of his grandfather, Hakim Shafa Uddaulah (physician to Wajid Ali Shah).
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After many attempts, Mirza Ghalib quit drinking for the last time in November 1868.
To commemorate this bold move & its circumstances, he wrote a Farsi 'Qit'a' poem, which is believed to be his last poetic work. He passed away - very ill but sober - 03 months later in Feb. 1869.
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The famous Nizami Press of Lucknow. Belongs to a very vibrant era of Urdu publishing (1930s onwards).
Strolling through the vibrant streets of Nakkhas, I'm always captivated by the ancient houses lining both sides. Their enduring charm compels me to capture their essence through my lens each time I pass by.
#Lucknow
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Even as late as 1985,the paperwork in areas like South Delhi (large population of Punjabi migrants)had an Urdu option. Pics below,frm my family records.
Some very old Punjabi uncles in our neighborhood used to read Urdu newspaper becoz they were more comfortable with that script.
The decline of Urdu in Delhi wasn’t sudden or abrupt. The Punjabi speaking but Urdu writing migrants from West Punjab and Delhi’s Muslims kept Urdu alive even as they sometimes differed in politics. In 1961 only 5.8% of Delhi’s residents claimed Urdu as their mother tongue 1/2
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Delhi pilgrimage:
Delhi is known as 'Baees Khwaja Ki Chaukhat' (Threshold or Abode of 22 saints). These shrines receive many pilgrims.
Here I wrote the names of the 22 shrines, according to Khwaja Hasan Nizami's pilgrimage guide. Written in homemade 'masi' ink with a dip pen.
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One of my favourite genres in Urdu : Literary 'Lafda'
Known as 'Adabi Maarka', this genre consists of literary battles between scholars, poets & critics.
I find this 'nok-jhonk' very interesting. You get to learn a lot about the actual topic AND the participants themselves.
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From my collection: Jawaharlal Nehru's Urdu travelogue of Soviet Russia/Moscow. Written in 1927 (10th anniversary celebrations of Soviet Union).
This edition published by Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library in 1992.
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Khizr Mirza was the grandson of Mirza Ghalib's sister-in-law. Born in 1853,he spent his childhood years with Ghalib.
In this 1938 interview at his Mehrauli home, a very old Khizr Mirza recalls how Ghalib wrote his poetry (while drinking), attended mushairas, his friends etc.
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A glimpse of Gurgaon in 1957:
A road built by villagers, connecting Old Gurgaon to the village of Samaspur (now in Sector 51, near Artemis hospital)
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A little-known eyewitness account of 1857 by a French-origin Urdu poet:
George Puech 'Shor' was born in Kol (Aligarh) in 1823 & lived in Meerut. He was also an Urdu poet like his grandfather,the Indo-German Urdu poet Franz Gottlieb Cohen 'Farasu'. Wore 'poshak-e hindi'
Contd.
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I had almost run out of the traditional black India Ink ( masi/مسی/मसी ) that I use, so I decided to make some more. Here is a short thread on the very basic process. Begin with a clay lamp, use a thick wick and mustard/sesame oil. Place a clay bowl on top to gather the soot
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Lutyens' New Delhi & Urdu detective fiction:
In 1915-16, a brand New Delhi was rising from the ruins of a 'Dehli-e Kuhna' much older than even Shahjahanabad. Some old monuments were preserved & dilapidated buildings were demolished to make way for the new city.
Contd.
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Mirza Ghalib's seal from 1852-53 invoking the aid of Hazrat Ali ("Ya Asadullah Al-ghalib"), described in Malik Ram's article. This was a time of financial difficulties for Ghalib.
Things got better in 1854.
His seals were most likely engraved by the expert Badruddin Ali Khan.
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A longish thread on a rare work of famine literature in Urdu from Haryana:
In the summer of the year 1899 CE, a terrible famine struck Northern & Central India as the monsoon rains failed. It was felt acutely in parts of Haryana/Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat.
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Some of Sadequain's Urdu calligraphy & paintings, published in the February 2024 'Sadequain' number of the magazine 'Aalami Jayeza', Delhi.
Bought this from the World Book Fair.
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Shabbir Ahmed is a critically acclaimed Urdu writer from West Bengal, whose Urdu novel 'Hajur Ama' received much praise.
His latest Urdu novel 'Bidrohi' is influenced by Kazi Nazrul Islam & the turbulent events of 20th century (esp. in Bengal).
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After the siege/fall of Delhi in September 1857, the surviving residents found it very hard to get food or water. Mirza Ghalib describes how they collected rainwater in an earthen pot by tying a chaadar across a courtyard.
(From the Urdu trans. of Dastanbuy)
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Left: Shaheed Bhagat Singh's last letter to his friends before his ultimate sacrifice ('Qurbani Se Qabl Doston Ke Naam Akhiri Khat'). Text in Urdu, dated 22 March 1931.
Right: His first letter from when he was in school in Lahore. Written in Urdu in July 1918 to his grandfather.
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The Soviet-era Pushkin statue near my office, Central Delhi.
Delhi has other Soviet-era statues too (Tolstoy & Lenin).
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The tale of Bahadur Shah Zafar's granddaughter on radio:
When Delhi Radio was established, the prolific author Khwaja Hasan Nizami made his first radio speech in 1935. It was about the trials of Gul Bano, a granddaughter of Zafar, after the Fall of Delhi in 1857.
Contd...
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Urdu author Kanhaiyalal Kapoor writes about studying English at Government College Lahore under his 'Peer-o Murshid' Professor (Patras) Bukhari, the famous Urdu humorist.
The actor Balraj Sahni was Patras Bukhari's favourite student. Interactions characterized by witty remarks.
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In his book of recipes from the kitchens of Lucknow, Mirza Jaafar Husain writes that Shahi Tukra was made with Sheermal in the old days. However, with changing times,'hotels' & cooks started making it from bread.
Here he gives his favourite Fajju Bawarchi's recipe (in Urdu).
From kebabs that melt in your mouth to the authentic flavours of shahi tukda, these are the top places in Delhi for a complete iftar experience. Click the link to learn more.
#OutlookTraveller
#Travel
#TravelGuide
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Some more Hindu religious magazines in Urdu, that continued to be published from Delhi post-1947.
Left: Martand (May 1958 'Vairagya Shataka' issue)
Right: Vigyan (April-May 1949 'Upanishad Gatha' issue)
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Mirza Ghalib's seals:
In his essay, Malik Ram mentions six seals used by Mirza Ghalib during his lifetime. Each seal represented an eventful phase, from the carefree days of the first seal (engraved when he was 19-20 yrs old) to the sixth seal (engraved 7 yrs before his death).
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A thread on the fateful day of September 14, 1857,i.e. the Fall of Delhi:
"Monday should be wiped off the register of days!",wrote Mirza Ghalib in his memoirs. 'Independent Delhi' lasted 4 months & 4 days from Monday (May 11) till Monday (Sept 14, when Kashmere Gate fell).
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The fairy Rooh Afza was the faithful companion of the legendary fairy Bakawali, from the 'Gul-e Bakawali' series of Urdu-Hindi literature, on which Gulzar-e Nasim was based.
In the end, Rooh Afza pari marries Bihram, son of the vizier, with Bakawali's help.
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A very rare relic of Mirza Ghalib's time in Calcutta (1828-1829):
Ghalib's handwritten Urdu & Farsi verses of 'Gul-e Rana'. It was the first selection of his Farsi & Urdu poetry, as requested by Molvi Sirajuddin Ahmad of Calcutta's Farsi newspaper 'Aina-e Sikandar'.
From 1828.
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Haryana has a wealth of old Farsi inscriptions too & cities like Hansi, Panipat, Ambala & Narnaul produced many Urdu & Farsi poets, scholars & Sufis. Zatalli, Hali etc.
Some Farsi inscriptions from Palwal, Hansi & Sonipat 👇 (source: American Institute of Indian Studies,Gurgaon)
On Haryana as a tourist destination: its potential, its hidden gems (the Tomb of Sheikh Chilli!), and more.
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Illustrations from a 19th-century Urdu Ramayana (based on Tulasidas), published by the famous Naval Kishore Press (Kanpur).
The layouts & sketches in these old lithographed books ('batasvir') followed the traditional manuscript/miniature painting styles.
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Mirza Ghalib writes about the calamitous day of September 14, 1857,when the British finally stormed Delhi through Kashmiri Gate.
Delhi became 'independent' on a Monday (11th May 1857) & fell on another Monday (Sept 14). Ghalib opined that Monday should be wiped off the calendar!
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Urdu translations of the letters of Karl Marx & Engels about the events of 1857 Ghadr in Northern India. Written in August-Sept-Nov. 1857.
Published in this special issue of 'Adabsaaz' Quarterly, Delhi in 2007. It had an entire section on the views of Marx & Engels on 1857.
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The port city of Surat (Gujrat) was home to many Farsi poets. The 17th-cent. Farsi poet Fazil Surati praises Surat & its vibrant people in his masnavi 'Bahram Gor o Banuye Husn'( 1655 CE).
The city was lauded as 'Babul Makkah'(gateway to Mecca),'Kan-e Maani' & Egypt of Hindustan.
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Dinner tonight with friends at 'Mazaar' Afghan Restaurant in Lajpat Nagar. Tikka, kebabs, kofta, naan & pulao. Delicious stuff 👌
And a little cart outside that sells good breads.
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Bhasha verses for the occasion of Eid, composed by the Mughal ruler Shah Alam II.
Written in both Nagari & Nastaliq scripts in the original manuscript of 'Nadirat-e Shahi', dated 1797. Original was bought by the State of Rampur (UP) with the aid of Urdu poet Dagh Dehlavi.
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Pages from a Punjabi Ramayana in 'Bishanpada' format in Nastaliq script, published by Munshi Gulab Singh in Lahore in 1900. Based on Tulasidas. Such works were part of a long,rich tradition of regional versions of epics.
Begins with invocations to Ik Onkar & Ganesha-Gauri-Sharada
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People's Publishing House in Delhi's Connaught Place used to have a small but nice collection of Urdu books published by Raduga/Progress.
PPH had their own Urdu books too, like this collection of Partition stories 'Kitne Toba Tek Singh', that I bought many years ago.
Lenin: A Short Biography (Urdu)
Progress Publishers, Moscow, 1971.
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Mirza Ghalib's sketch & Hindi calligraphy by Imroze. From the Hindi edition of Deewan-e Ghalib by Hind Pocket Books.
Imroze's sketches, calligraphed lettering & cover designs have adorned many Hindi/Punjabi/Urdu books, especially in the 80s & 90s.
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Maulana Hasrat Mohani was imprisoned in 1908-1909 in Naini Jail. Afterwards he wrote his prison memoir 'Mushahidat-e Zindan'.
When it was published serially in 'Urdu-e Mualla',the terrible prison conditions described caused a public outrage.
To read :
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An artist's representation of the seating arrangement at the pre-1857 Ghadr mushaira that is at the centre of the famous Urdu work 'Dilli Ki Akhiri Shamaa'. It was written by Mirza Farhatullah Baig.
Mirza Ghalib, Zauq, Dagh etc. all have their special places in this gathering.
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This felt tip liner that I bought from the book fair is a new addition to my calligraphy stock. Great for Urdu/Farsi calligraphy & easy to use.
Here I copied a Farsi couplet from Mir Taqi Mir's autobiography 'Zikr-e Mir' which describes a ruined Delhi.
From today's visit to Delhi Book & Stationery Fair in Pragati Maidan:
•Buying Urdu books from NCPUL stall (subsidized Urdu books, especially the older ones E.g. the 800+ page 'Sair-e Kohsar' cost about Rs. 42.)
•Urdu Calligraphy supplies from a stationery stall
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The two types of traditional cuisine setups popular in late Mughal/pre-1857 Delhi, depicted here. Nanbai & Halwai. These shops were set up in Mehrauli during 'Phoolwalon Ki Sair'.
The basic, popular versions of naan-paratha, salan, qorma of Delhi are derived from these Nanbais.
@hganjoo_153
I think the basic dishes of the popular 'Mughlai' food of Delhi are actually derivatives of the old bhatiyar-khanas (inns) or nanbais. These served pilgrims or travelers. Tandoori breads, grilled meats, salan etc. Delhi's Old Urdu literature has many references to these.
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A Mughal miniature of Mother Mary & its facing page of very beautiful calligraphy. Folios from a 'Muraqqa-e Iran o Hind' album in the University of Istanbul collection.
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It is very interesting how the Urdu poet Mir Taqi Mir witnessed & wrote about some of the most chaotic years in Delhi's history.
Mir was on the frontlines with the armed forces sent to repel Ahmad Shah Durrani's attack. Describes the news of the death of Emperor Muhammad Shah.
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18th-century 'Hori' (Holi) songs in Braja-Bhasha from the Exalted Fort of Delhi. Penned by the Mughal ruler Shah Alam II. To be sung in the traditional raga format.
Many such songs were collected under a separate 'Hori' section in his famous work 'Nadirat-e Shahi'.
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Aslam Parvez sb writes about the literary circles of Old Delhi's Urdu Bazar from 1950-75. While many Urduwallahs left Delhi in Partition,there was also a fresh wave of Hindu-Sikh Urdu writers from West Punjab & NW areas. They wrote poems,novels & established magazines in Urdu.
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The Khat-e Shikast (lit. 'broken letters') script of Urdu/Farsi, in which legal & official records were kept, is considered very difficult to read.
Here is a board-prescribed school textbook published in Allahabad in the late 1920s to teach the nuances of this script to students.
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The famous Urdu poet Meer Anis went on invitation to Hyderabad in March 1871. He took the train (via Bombay & Poona) till Gulbarga. From there to Hyd. in a carriage.
He was very old & sick but still read his marvelous Marsias during Muharram in Hyderabad to great acclaim.
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"Europe Ka Lucknow: Vienna"
(by Makhdoom Mohiuddin)
Happy May Day from Vienna! 🌷 Whether you're joining the traditional parades or enjoying a leisurely day in one of our beautiful parks, Vienna is buzzing with energy today. 🌸
#ViennaNow
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The Urdu autobiography of the famous singer Malka Pukhraj is called 'Bezabani Zaban Na Ho Jaye'. Compiled & edited by her granddaughter. That is Malka Pukhraj herself on the cover.
A very interesting book,talks about her childhood in Jammu region & her love for singing 'Pahari'.
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Old Photos of Nizamuddin in Delhi by the famous Maulvi Zafar Hasan of Archaeological Survey of India. Taken in 1921-22.
Pics show a general view of Nizamuddin, the baoli & the very old & dilapidated Lal Mahal (which now lies opposite Ghalib Kabab Corner).
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Eating very sweet & delicious kharbuza (melon) for dessert while reading Amir Khusro's verses in praise of 'kharbuza-e hind' (Indian melons), written in 1289. From Khusro's famous Farsi work 'Qiranus Sadain'.
Melons are my favourite summer fruits.
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Reading the Urdu 'Zikr-e Mir' in the Delhi Metro on my way to work:
Meer mentions the mosque of Mahram Khan Khwaja Sara, whose name survives in Delhi's Mahram Nagar near IGI Airport & the nearby ruins of 'Bagh-e Mahram Khan'.
(A surviving pavilion of the Bagh, in 2013) 👇
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Nauroz in 18th-century Mughal Delhi:
Nauroz songs from the Exalted Fort of Delhi in 'Bhasha' or 'Bhākhā' (Braja).
Written by Mughal ruler Shah Alam II, to be performed in traditional raga formats. Invoke traditional spring imagery: rose, basant, mango, koyal, shringar etc.
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From September 1978 edition of Dehradun's Urdu monthly 'Desh Sewak', edited by Pandit Khushdil. An interesting advt. for Pizzas in Dehradun's Madhuban Hotel on Rajpur Road.
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A short thread on Mehrauli:
I was born & raised a couple of kilomtrs frm Mehrauli; in the early to late 1990s when I was a child, used to walk there sometimes with my family for picnic. This is unimaginable now (due to cars etc.),but back then the area was still quite walkable.
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Today's downpour in Delhi-NCR reminds me of the various Urdu accounts from 19th-cent. Delhi about hardships of Monsoon.
Here is one such letter by Mirza Ghalib (addressed to Alauddin Ahmad Khan Alai). Collapsing walls,leaking roofs,misery.
This is the flipside of 'barkha bahar'
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A brief Hindi guide on reading the Shikasta script of Urdu/Farsi, from 'Swayambodha Urdu' (Urdu Self Instructor), written by Babu Shiv Prasad. Published in 1861 by Naval Kishore Press.
These calligraphed-lithographed Devanagari spellings would be considered archaic now.
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'Jaan Ki Dushman : Makkhi', an Urdu pamphlet on the perils of the common fly & the diseases that it spreads. Written by Maulvi Muhammad Asadullah, published in 1918. Makes a case for better sanitation etc.
Interesting illustrations of various flies hanging out in the margins.
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From today's visit to Delhi Book & Stationery Fair in Pragati Maidan:
•Buying Urdu books from NCPUL stall (subsidized Urdu books, especially the older ones E.g. the 800+ page 'Sair-e Kohsar' cost about Rs. 42.)
•Urdu Calligraphy supplies from a stationery stall
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There are many Farsi inscriptions scattered all over Haryana.
Pics 1,2: One of the earliest ones is placed on the Barsi Gate, Hansi (1303 CE). This gate has panels depicting men fighting lions.
Pics 3,4: Also see the inscription frm Shahjahani Baoli, Meham (Rohtak), 1658-59 CE
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Recipes from the Imperial Mughal kitchens in the time of Emperor Alamgir:
Left: Kabab-e Gandum: Wheaten kebabs, made of dalia, sooji & masur dal in olive oil
Right: Kofta Angoori : Koftas made of lauki, paneer.
From Salma Hussain's excellent book 'Shahi Ziyafatein' (in Urdu)
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Illustrations from the Urdu play 'Anarkali' written by Imtiaz Ali Taj. Illustrated by his friend,the famous artist Abdur Rahman Chughtai.
Written in 1922, 'Anarkali' was very popular & later inspired the epic film 'Mughal-e Azam'.
It is divided into 03 acts : Love,Dance & Death.
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A facsimile of an Urdu poem published in Dehli Urdu Akhbar on 24 May,1857 by the famous Urdu scholar Maulana Muhammad Hussain Azad. Delhi was briefly free of the British & the poem was about the 'Inquilab' (Revolution).
The newspaper was run by his father,Maulvi Muhammad Baqir.
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Mirza Ghalib in jail:
In June 1847, Ghalib was sentenced to 06 months in prison (+ fine) for gambling. However, Ghalib was released after 03 months in prison, which was located in the medieval ruins of Bhuli Bhatiyari Ki Sarai. The prison episode is commemorated in these verses:
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One of my favorite genres in Urdu is 'Ma'raka' literature about literary disputes involving famous authors & works.
All the big ones(Meer,Ghalib,Anees etc) have had famous Ma'rakas. These disputes found an eager audience & were published in books/magazines(eg. Chakbast vs Sharar)
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Monsoon clouds over Haryana's historical monuments:
Pics 1 & 2: Dargah Chahar Qutb Complex, Hansi
Pic 3: Fatehabad's Purana Qila Complex, with Firuz Shah's 'Laat'
Pic credit: American Institute of Indian Studies, Gurgaon
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The 12-point Constitution of 'Independent Delhi' in 1857:
In May 1857, after the arrival of rebel sepoys in Delhi, it was decided that a Court of Administration would be established. It was called 'Jalsaye Intizam-e Fouji wa Mulki'. Its constitution (in Urdu) had 12 points:
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These pieces that I painted & abandoned when I was a student have spent almost 15 years in 'cold storage' (i.e. a large folder deep inside my cupboard). Hope to get large frames for them this year. Have to 'air' them once a month otherwise.
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Someday I hope to do some detective work to map the places that influenced Pakeezah.
Most identify the location as Lucknow,but Shahabuddin lived in Gali Qasim Jan of Delhi! Chawri was nearby. Qabristan could've been Mehndiyan (a doli-ride away). Second town was Rampur or Agra.
Ye chiragh bujh rahe hein
Mere sath jalte jalte..
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A list of 37 Farsi works that were translated from Indian languages (Sanskrit etc.). Beginning from Panchatantra,to Katha Saritsagara to Gul Bakawali. These inspired the vibrant qissa-dastan & 'swaang' traditions of Urdu-Hindi.
(From 'Mizrab-e Dakan' by Dr. Nurus Sayeed Akhter)
There are over eighty extant manuscripts of the Sirr-i akbar, the Mughal prince Dara Shikoh’s rendition of the Upanishads. Persian works on Indian learned traditions clearly had a wide readership.
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Mughal ruler Shah Alam continued the tradition by composing poetry in Braja-Bhasha, collected in his 1797 work 'Nadirat-e Shahi'. This poetry was meant to be sung in raga form.
Had all sorts of songs/poems, from 'Istuti Peeran' (in praise of saints) to birthday, eid, holi songs.
Prof. Allison Busch’s pathbreaking research on Hindi literature in the Mughal court broke multiple stereotypes nurtured by nationalist and postcolonial histories of Hindi. Remembering Allison (my advisor) on this occasion of Hindi Diwas. Forever grateful to be her student.
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Ahmed Ali (author of 'Twilight in Delhi' & other Urdu works) visited Naples & Geneva in 1939.
In this 'Adhoora Safarnama'(Unfinished Travelogue), he writes about Italian Fascism, getting lost in Geneva, getting a haircut & a lot more.
Published in 'Ajkal' in 1943.
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Audio clip of an excerpt of Mirza Ghalib's letter in which he recalls the names of Delhi's wells, gardens & neighborhoods that were wiped off by the British (after suppression of 1857 Ghadr):
An excerpt from Ghalib's letter describing Delhi post the revolt in 1857. Ghalib wrote this letter to Mirza Hargopal Tafta, one of his closest friends. Tafta hailed from Sikandrabad and often visited Ghalib in Delhi.
Voiceover:
@Ayesha___Najeeb
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The two most prominent Devi temples of Delhi,as they appeared in late-Mughal era Urdu accounts. Interestingly,both are associated with syncretic festivals (the spring 'Basant' & the monsoon 'Phoolwalon Ki Sair')
Left: Yogamaya temple, Mehrauli in monsoon
Right: Kalkaji Temple
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Handwriting of some more luminaries of Urdu literature:
Pic 1 : Dagh Dehlavi
2 : Akbar Allahabadi
3: Abdul Halim Sharar
4: Hasrat Mohani
Facsimiles of their handwritten letters, published in Nuqoosh Magazine
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Many Hindi translations of Russian works at the ongoing New Delhi World Book Fair, Pragati Maidan. Classics, novels, stories.
All these have been translated from the original Russian.
Here is a copy of Tolstoy's 'Resurrection' translated by the famous Hindi author Bhishma Sahni.
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Some Armenian-origin or Anglo-Indian women poets of Urdu. Late 19th to early 20th century.
Foremost among them was the famous Malka Jan of Calcutta (Gauhar Jan's mother).
Others were Ms. Sarah 'Pari', Ms. Blake 'Khafi', Ms. Flora 'Sharir' etc. Many of them were from Calcutta.
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Some Historical Fiction books in Urdu, from my collection.
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🧵Mirza Ghalib, a British spy & the case of a 'sikka' (coin) in the name of Bahadur Shah Zafar:
'Sikka' couplets were composed in Farsi to mark the authority of a Mughal ruler to issue coins. The satirist Jaafar Zatalli was infamously executed becoz he wrote a sarcastic 'sikka'
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A nice restaurant that we used to go to, called Dawat-e Mezban in Kamala Nagar, Delhi had this sketch by MF Hussain on its menu. The owner was (justifiably) very proud of this compliment.
Life goes on all around. MF Husain in Nizamuddin Basti.
Image courtesy: Parthiv Shah via Dark.
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Copying Bedil's Farsi couplets for handwriting practice (with a dip pen & watered-down homemade black ink).
"Don't trust the benevolence of the azure vault (skies/heavens), for this alluring goblet/vessel will shower you with stones (hardships) instead of wine"
- Bedil
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'Sirr-e Maghfirat', an Urdu translation of Bhagwad Gita by Abul Balaghat Pandit 'Ratan' Pindoravi (pic below).
Written in 1980, published in 1982. Interesting to note that such 'manzoom' translations were still being written as late as the 1980s.
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An artist's impression of Mirza Ghalib's Urdu poem on the destruction & looting of Delhi after the British forces stormed the city on September 14, 1857.
From a special issue of Urdu magazine 'Huma', New Delhi (March 1964).
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The 'Delhi books' (in Urdu) from my collection, laid out on a rug to be cleaned & arranged in the cupboards.
These are various accounts of Delhi, its history, culture, language, its Islamic heritage, monuments and people.
An invaluable resource to understand the city's past.
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In 'Zikr-e Mir', Mir Taqi Mir writes about his father performing the 'shagun' of sprinkling water on a mirror before a journey. It was an Iranian custom not usually practised in India.
Also appears in masnavi Gulzar-e Nasim:
"ashkon se shagun liyā nirālā
aīna-e rukh pe pāni dālā"
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Mir Taqi Mir describes the 1774 visit of Governor General Warren Hastings to Nawab Asaf-ud Daulah's Lucknow.
Mentions the fabulous arrangements, luxurious furnishings, scents, foods, special kebabs, breads (naan) etc. provided for the visitors by the Nawab of Awadh.
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Urdu poetry by an Armenian trader named Aren/Arin S. Jacob from Gorakhpur, UP. Takhallus 'Aren' and 'Farhat'. Period: Late 1890s.
In his memoirs, Emperor Jahangir writes about an Armenian officer Alexander Zulqarnayn who wrote in Hindi-Urdu.
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Have gained a renewed appreciation for Mir Taqi Mir's wonderful Urdu poetry after reading his autobiography. A poetic sense forged in the chaos of 18th-century Northern India. Will read more of his poetry & write my favourite bits in this diary.
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There is an anecdote about the mysterious 'sabz-posh' (green-clad) Delhi heroine of 1857. Dressed in the green garb of a faqir,she recounts her tale to the narrator of this piece in Qutb Sahib's dargah in Mehrauli.
She found inspiration to fight after a vision in Ajmer Sharif.
#KnowYourHeroes
The brave unknown, unsung
#Women
of the
#Uprising1857
( image of Jhalkari Devi)
Some unknown unsung women who sacrificed their all in
#1857
#FirstWarOfIndianIndependence
# Uprising
1. Our country is unaware of the sacrifice of queen of Tulsipur. The queen of
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Krishna Sobti's childhood was spent in Shimla & Delhi. She saw the rise of New Delhi in the 1930s.
Her niece Biba Sobti remembers how 'Jiji' (Krishna's nickname) had seen all 305 villages of Delhi. The best 'matar' (peas) grew in villages where Pragati Maidan now exists.
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A polychrome picture postcard of the famous singer Gauhar Jan of Calcutta (along with 'Jaura'). Such postcards were printed in Europe.
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