Urdu poetry is a special art. People use simple words to show deep feelings like love, sadness, and hope. You will find short poems called ghazals and nazms. They rhyme and sound like music when you read them out loud.
In this article, we meet twenty famous Urdu poets. Each poet has changed the world of poetry with unique ideas and style. Read their history and enjoy two lines of their best poems in Urdu script. You will feel why these poets are loved even today.
1. Mir Taqi Mir
History
Mir Taqi Mir (1723–1810) was born in Agra, India. Known as the god of Urdu poetry, he wrote about love, loss, and human emotion with great depth.
Famous Poetry
محبت نے مجھ کو یوں رنگ دیا میرؔ
جان بھی گئی پر جانِ جاناں نہ گیا2. Mirza Ghalib
History
Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib (1797–1869) lived in Delhi. His ghazals mix wisdom and wit, reflecting life’s joys and sorrows.
Famous Poetry
ہزاروں خواہشیں ایسی کہ ہر خواہش پہ دم نکلے
بہت نکلے میرے ارمان لیکن پھر بھی کم نکلے3. Allama Muhammad Iqbal
History
Allama Iqbal (1877–1938) was born in Sialkot. A philosopher-poet, he inspired a nation with his vision of self-realization.
Famous Poetry
خودی کو کر بلند اتنا کہ ہر تقدیر سے پہلے
خدا بندے سے خود پوچھے بتا تیری رضا کیا ہے4. Faiz Ahmed Faiz
History
Faiz Ahmed Faiz (1911–1984) hailed from Sialkot. His revolutionary poetry blends romance and social justice.
Famous Poetry
مجھ سے پہلی سی محبت مرے محبوب نہ مانگ
میں نے سمجھا تھا کہ تو ہے تو درخشاں ہے حیات5. Allama Josh Malihabadi
History
Josh Malihabadi (1898–1982) was born in Malihabad. Known for his fiery style, he wrote boldly on freedom and truth.
Famous Poetry
خودی کو کر بلند اتنا کہ ہر زمین سے پہلے
خدا بندے سے خود پوچھے بتا تیری رضا کیا ہے6. Daagh Dehlvi
History
Daagh Dehlvi (1831–1905) lived in Delhi. His romantic style and simple language made his poetry musical.
Famous Poetry
پرتاب گرم نوائے شعلہ سا دلیل کر
وقفہ احباب کے لئے مہتاب شد7. Bahadur Shah Zafar
History
Bahadur Shah Zafar (1775–1862) was the last Mughal emperor and a poet. In exile, his verses speak of sorrow and longing.
Famous Poetry
بس کے نہیں آتی ہنس کے باتیں زریں طرح کی
غم سے یہ ڈوبی ہوئی آنکھیں شیشہ ہیں یہاں8. Altaf Hussain Hali
History
Altaf Hussain Hali (1837–1914) from Panipat wrote the first book of Urdu criticism and poetic praise of Islam.
Famous Poetry
گو شاعر کی محفل میں نہ جائیں محفلِ ہستی میں
یہاں کچھ اور دکھ دکھ سے بڑھ کر کچھ بھی نہیں9. Akbar Allahabadi
History
Akbar Allahabadi (1846–1921) was a satirical poet from Uttar Pradesh. He humorously critiqued social changes.
Famous Poetry
تبدیلی نبھاؤ مگر ہمیں بے خبر نہ کرو
راہ دکھاؤ مگر ہمیشہ برابر نہ کرو10. Ahmad Faraz
History
Ahmad Faraz (1931–2008) from Pakistan wrote modern ghazals rich in romance and melody.
Famous Poetry
سنا ہے بولے تو باتوں سے پھول جھڑتے ہیں
یہ بات ہے تو چلو بات کر کے دیکھتے ہیں11. Habib Jalib
History
Habib Jalib (1928–1993) was a poet of protest from Pakistan. He spoke for the oppressed and freedom.
Famous Poetry
دیواروں پہ خوں سے لکیریں کھینچ دی ہیں ہم نے
ہر گلی میں صدا آتی ہے ظلم کے خلاف12. Parveen Shakir
History
Parveen Shakir (1952–1994) from Karachi wrote gentle poetry on love and women’s feelings. She created a new feminine voice.
Famous Poetry
کچھ تو ہوا کندن کے اندر
نمکِ خوابوں کا ہاتھ ہے13. Nasir Kazmi
History
Nasir Kazmi (1925–1972) migrated to Pakistan in 1948. His poems capture loneliness and calm night scenes.
Famous Poetry
دشتِ تنہائی میں کوئی کانپتا ہے تو وہ تجھے سوچ کے
پتے جلتے ہیں دل میں پھر بھی خواب ہرے ہیں تیرے14. Munir Niazi
History
Munir Niazi (1928–2006) moved to Pakistan in 1947. His simple poetry speaks of unfulfilled dreams and love.
Famous Poetry
دل میں اک لگی سی تند آج کل ہے
خود سے بھی کہیں دور آج کل ہے15. Sahir Ludhianvi
History
Sahir Ludhianvi (1921–1980) wrote film lyrics and social poetry. His words challenge injustice.
Famous Poetry
دل سے نہ کبھی پوچھا ہم نے درد کا رخ جانیں
جب ہم ہی بڑے تھے تو خود کو نہ پہچانا16. Noor Jehan
History
Noor Jehan (1926–2000) was a legendary singer and poet from Kasur. Her lyrics blend song and verse.
Famous Poetry
دل کی دنیا بس اک قصہ ہے محبت کے سوا
سب ہے خوابِ پلک ہائے آنکھوں کے سوا17. Firaq Gorakhpuri
History
Firaq Gorakhpuri (1896–1982) used rich, deep vocabulary. His moving poetry earned him high respect.
Famous Poetry
ہم دیکھیں گے وہ دن کہ جس کا وعدہ ہے
جو لوحِ ازل میں لکھا ہے18. Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi
History
Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi (1916–2006) was a poet and journalist. His clear and honest verses connect with readers.
Famous Poetry
جنگلوں میں اجنبی منقبت کی صدا ہے
پڑھی جڑوں میں لکیریں وضاحت کی صدا ہے19. Jigar Moradabadi
History
Jigar Moradabadi (1890–1960) wrote with deep feelings of love and longing. His simple style touches hearts.
Famous Poetry
یوں راستہ جدا نہ کرنا بولیءِ محبت سے
لبوں پہ موسیقی ہے مگر دل سے نہ بولو20. Majaz Lakhnawi
History
Majaz Lakhnawi (1911–1970) from Lucknow wrote modern poetry filled with sorrow and passion.
Famous Poetry
آج بھی سوچتا ہوں کہ ہو سکا ہوتا اگر
کچھ فاصلے کم ہوتے کچھ ہمارے نہ ہوتےFAQs
Q1: What makes a poet “best” in Urdu literature?
The best poets combine deep feelings, beautiful language, and universal themes that people connect with over time.
Q2: How can I read more Urdu poetry?
Start with simple ghazals and nazms online or in books, and listen to recitations to understand pronunciation and emotion.
Q3: Why are ghazals important?
Ghazals express love, pain, and philosophy in couplets (sher), each complete in itself yet part of a bigger poem.
Q4: Can I write Urdu poetry if I know little Urdu?
Yes! Begin with simple words, read translations, and practice writing your feelings in short verses.
Q5: Where to find Urdu poetry resources?
Websites like Rekhta.org, YouTube recitations, and bilingual anthologies in bookstores help learners explore Urdu poetry.
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