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Urdu poets have a rich history woven with the verses of legendary poets who have left an indelible mark on literature. From the classical depth of Mirza Ghalib, whose ghazals explore love, loss and existence musings to the philosophical brilliance of Allama Iqbal, whose words ignited a sense of pride and purpose among generations, Urdu poetry captures the essence of human emotions. Faiz Faiz Ahmed Faiz brought revolutionary zeal and romance together, blending beauty and resistance in his verse. This blog is dedicated to famous Urdu poets, in which we will learn about them, their genres and many other things. Let’s start.
Table of Contents
List of Top 10 Famous Urdu Poets and Their Notable Work
The world of Urdu poetry is graced by an array of celebrated poets and Below is a table highlighting some of the most famous Urdu poets, their notable works, and the distinct styles or genres they represent.
| Famous Urdu Poets | Notable Works | Style/Genre |
| Mirza Ghalib | Diwan-e-Ghalib | Ghazals, Philosophy, Love, Loss |
| Mir Taqi Mir | Kulliyat-e-Mir, Faez-é-Mīr, Zikr-é-Mīr, Nikat-ush-Shuarā | Romantic, Mysticism |
| Faiz Ahmad Faiz | Dast-e-Saba, Zindan-Nama | Socio-political, Romantic |
| Ahmad Faraz | Ranjish Hi Sahi | Romantic, Political |
| Jaun Elia | Shayad, Yaani | Existential, Philosophical |
| Parveen Shakir | Romantic, Feminist | Khushbu, Sad-Barg |
| Muhammad Iqbal | Bang-e-Dra, Asrar-e-Khudi | Philosophical, Nationalistic |
| Akbar Allahabadi | Satirical and social commentary poems | Satire, Social Critique |
| Firaq Gorakhpuri | Ruh-e-Kayanat | Romantic, Nature |
| Ibn-e-Insha | Dil-e-Wehshi, Urdu Ki Aakhri Kitaab | Humorous, Satirical |
Read Here – Urdu Literature: History, Significance, Foundation, and More
Mirza Ghalib
Mirza Galib was a famous 19th-century Urdu and Persian poet from India, known for his profound and complex poetry that delved into themes of love, loss, and philosophical introspections. He was born in Agra and his work is considered as the cornerstone of Urdu literature.
| About Mirza Ghalib | |
| Name | Mirza Asadullah Beg Ghalib |
| Born | 27 December 1797 Kala Mahal, Agra, Maratha Confederacy |
| Died | 15 February 1869 (aged 71) Ghalib ki Haveli, Delhi, British India |
| Resting place | Mazar-e-Mirza Ghalib Tomb, near Nizamuddin Dargah, Delhi |
| Pen name | Ghalib, Asad |
| Occupation | Poet, author |
| Language | Urdu, Persian |
| Period | Mughal era, British era |
| Years active | c. 1808–1869 |
Mir Taqi Mir
Mir Tariq was a well-known 18th-century Urdu poet, known for his mastery of the ghazal form. His poetry, characterised by its emotional depth and poignant expression of love, loss and longing, continues to resonate with readers today. He is considered one of the greatest poets of all time.
| About Mir Taqi Mir | |
| Name | Mir Taqi Mir |
| Born | February 1723 Agra, Agra Subah, Mughal India |
| Died | 20 September 1810 (aged 87) Lucknow, Oudh Subah, Mughal India |
| Resting place | Lucknow |
| Era | Mughal India |
Faiz Ahmad Faiz
Faiz Ahmed Fiaz was a famous Pakistani poet and revolutionary. He was recognised for his passionate verses that often challenged political oppression and social injustice. His poetry characterised by its lyrical beauty and profound social commentary, continues to inspire and resonate with readers worldwide.
| About Faiz Ahmad Faiz | |
| Name | Faiz Ahmad Faiz |
| Born | 13 February 1911 Sialkot, Punjab, British India |
| Died | 20 November 1984 (aged 73) Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Resting place | Model Town Graveyard, Lahore |
| Nationality | British Indian (1911–1947) Pakistani (1947–1984) |
| Education | Arabic literature (B.A., M.A.) English literature (M.A.) |
| Alma mater | Sialkot Murray College, Government College, Punjab University |
| Occupations | Poet, journalist, military, officer, teacher, broadcaster, trade, unionist |
| Years active | 1935–1984 |
| Awards | Nigar Awards (1953) Lenin Peace Prize (1962) Nishan-e-Imtiaz (1990) |
| Literary movement | Progressive Writers’ Movement |
Ahmad Faraz
Ahmad Faraz was a Pakistani Urdu Poet and scriptwriter who is known for his deeply romantic and socially conscious poetry. His verses often explored themes of love, loss and the human condition, while also critiquing social injustices and political oppression. Ahmad Faraz He is considered one of the most influential Urdu poets of the 20th century.
| About Ahmad Faraz | |
| Name | Syed Ahmad Shah Ali |
| Born | 12 January 1931 Kohat, NWFP, British India (now Pakistan) |
| Died | 25 August 2008 (aged 77) Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan |
| Pen name | Faraz |
| Occupation | Urdu Poet, Lecturer |
| Citizenship | Pakistani |
| Education | Urdu literature M.A Persian literature M.A |
| Alma mater | Edwardes College, University of Peshawar |
| Literary movement | Democratic Movement |
Jaun Elia
Jaun Elia was a prominent 20th-century Urdu poet. He was known for his unconventional and deeply philosophical poetry. His verses often explored themes of existentialism, love, loss and the human condition, characterised by their unique style and intellectual depth. He is considered one of the most influential Urdu poets of his time.
| About Jaun Elia | |
| Name | Syed Sibt-e-Asghar Naqvi |
| Born | Syed Sibt-e-Asghar Naqvi 14 December 1931 Amroha, United Provinces, British India |
| Died | 8 November 2002 (aged 70) Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan |
| Occupation | Poet |
| Notable awards | Pride of Performance |
Parveen Shakir
Parveen Shakir known for her distinctive feminine voice in Urdu literature was a Pakistani poet. Her poetry often explored themes of love, loss and the complexities of human relationships, expressed with raw emotion and profound insight.
| About Parveen Shakir | |
| Name | Parveen Shakir |
| Born | 26 December 1994 (aged 42) Islamabad, Pakistan |
| Resting place | Islamabad Graveyard H-8, Islamabad 33°41′19″N 73°3′52″E |
| Occupation | Poet, teacher, civil servant |
| Education | BA, MA, PhD |
| Alma mater | Harvard University, University of Karachi |
Muhammad Iqbal
Sir Muhammad Iqbal was an eminent South Asian Islamic Philosopher, poet and politician. His poetry is considered among the greatest of the 20th century, and his vision of cultural and political ideals for the Muslims of British-ruled India is widely regarded as having animated the impulse for the Pakistan Movement. He is commonly referred to by the honorific Allama and is widely considered one of the most important and influential Muslim thinkers and Western religious philosophers of the 20th century.
| About Muhammad Iqbal | |
| Name | Muhammad Iqbal |
| Born | 9 November 1877 Sialkot, Punjab, British India |
| Died | 21 April 1938 (aged 60) Lahore, Punjab, British India (now Punjab, Pakistan) |
| Resting place | Mazar-e-Iqbal, Lahore |
| Nationality | British Indian |
| Alma mater | Scotch Mission College (FA), Government College (BA, MA), University of Cambridge (BA), University of Munich (PhD) |
| Occupations | Philosopher, author, politician |
| Notable work | The Secrets of the Self, The Secrets of Selflessness, Message from the East, Persian Psalms, Javid Nama, Sare Jahan se Accha |
| Institutions | Jamia Millia Islamia (co-founder) |
| Thesis | The Development of Metaphysics in Persia (1908) |
Akbar Allahabadi
Akbar Allahabadi was a prominent 19th-century Urdu poet and satirist, known for his sharp wit and social commentary. His poetry often criticized social and political issues, particularly during the British colonial era. He is considered one of the pioneers of modern Urdu poetry.
| About Akbar Allahabadi | |
| Name | Akbar Allahabadi |
| Born | 16 November 1846 Bara, North-Western Provinces, British India |
| Died | 9 September 1921 (aged 74) Allahabad, United Provinces, British India |
| Occupation | Judge |
| Subject | Love, philosophy, religion, social reform, satire, British rule |
Firaq Gorakhpuri
Firaq Gorakhpuri was a prominent 20th-century Urdu poet, known for his romantic and philosophical poetry. His verses often explored themes of love, loss, and the human condition, characterised by their lyrical beauty and deep emotional resonance. He is considered one of the most influential Urdu poets of his time.
| About Firaq Gorakhpuri | |
| Name | Raghupati Sahay |
| Born | 28 August 1896 Gorakhpur, North-Western Provinces, British India |
| Died | 3 March 1982 (aged 85) New Delhi, India |
| Pen name | Firaq Gorakhpuri فراق گورکھپوری |
| Occupation | Poet, writer, critic, scholar, lecturer, orator |
| Language | Urdu, English, Hindi |
| Education | M.A. in English literature |
| Alma mater | Allahabad University |
| Genre | Poetry, Literary criticism |
| Notable awards | Padma Bhushan (1968) Jnanpith Award (1969) Sahitya Akademi Fellowship (1970) |
Ibn-e-Insha
Ibn-e-Insha was a prominent 20th-century Urdu poet, humorist, and satirist. His poetry, known for its wit, irony, and social commentary, often satirised societal ills and political corruption. He is considered one of the most influential Urdu humorists of his time.
| About Ibn-e-Insha | |
| Name | Sher Muhammad Khan |
| Born | 15 June 1927 Phillaur, Punjab, British India |
| Died | 11 January 1978 (aged 50) London, England |
| Nationality | Pakistani |
| Notable awards | Pride of Performance Award in 1978 by the President of Pakistan |
Also Read – 7 Famous Ghazal Singers of All Time You Should Know
FAQs
The most famous Urdu poet is Mirza Assadullah Khan, known for his profound and timeless ghazals.
In Pakistan, the No. 1 poet is Allama Iqbal, revered as the “Poet of the East” and the visionary of Pakistan.
In India, Mirza Ghalib is considered the No. 1 shayar, celebrated for his exceptional contributions to Urdu poetry.
Relevant Reads
This was all about the famous Urdu Poets. If you want to know more about other Famous Personalities then visit our General Knowledge page!