MIRJA GALIB

Mirza Ghalib

Date of Birth : 1797
Date of Death : -
Place of Birth : Agra

Born as Asad Ullaha Khan, in 1797 in Agra, Mirza Ghalib was his pen name. His father, Abdullah Baig died in battle, when little Ghalib was just 5 years old. His uncle looked after the family for about 4 years, after which his mother brought up her two sons on a meagre pension of Rs. 750.00 annually. But even this was discontinued after the Great Mutiny of 1857. It was a very difficult time for the family. Ghalib was married to Nawab Ali Baksh Khan's daughter Umro Begum, at the age of 13. After a few years he shifted from Agra to Delhi, where he lived as a tenant. His wife gave birth to seven children, but unfortunately, not one survived. He adopted a nephew, who was also snatched by the hands of death at the prime age of his life. This broke Ghalib's heart, and he was moved to write an elegy to commemorate his life and death.
Mirza Ghalib is regarded as one of the greatest Urdu Poets. Mirza Asadullah Begh Khan Ghalib was born in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. Ghalib's poetry is distinguished by its intense feelings, wistfulness and a strong romantic mood which produce a charming effect on readers. 'Diwan-i-Ghalibin', 10 volumes is the collection of poetical works of Ghalib. It has been translated into several Indian and foreign languages. In 1850, he was appointed poet Laureate by the last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah II. As a writer and poet, Ghalib believed in using simple words. He laid the foundation of Urdu prose and that is why he is called the father of the modern Urdu Prose. 'Urdu-i-Hindi' and 'Urdu-i-Muallah' are his two famous books of collection of letters. Some other notable prose works of Ghalib are : 'Naam-i-Ghalib', ' Lateif-i-Gaibi' and ' Dupshe Kawaiyani'. Mirza Ghalib Academy in Delhi has been established in the memory of this great Urdu poet for research of his works and also to encourage Urdu literature. Even though Ghalib spread love, beauty and happiness all around, his own life was filled with moments of despair and tragedy. He suffered from a drinking problem, financial difficulties as well as pains of old age, and finally died at the age of 72 years.