Asar Lakhnavi
Mirza Jafar Ali Khan[1] (12 July 1885[2][1] - 6 June 1967), better known as Asar Lakhnavi, was an Urdu poet, civil servant, critic, scholar, writer, translator who belonged from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. He wrote Urdu ghazals and nazms under the pen name (takhallus) "Asar".
Biography
Early life and education
Asar Lakhnavi was born on July 12, 1885, in the neighborhood of Katra Abu Tarab in Lucknow.[3] His ancestor, Hakim Muhammad Shafi, a physician, came to Akbarabad from Isfahan. After staying for a while, Shafi moved to Faizabad[4] and served as a physician in the court of Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula.[5] Lakhnavi birth name was Mirza Jafar Ali Khan. He completed his early education at home. After passing the entrance examination in 1902, he got admission in Canning College Lucknow and he received his B.A. degree from Canning College in 1906.[6]
Career
In 1909, he was appointed deputy collector in the United Provinces served till 1935 and after that he was promoted as collector from 1937 to 1940.[7] Lakhnavi worked on many important government positions including deputy collector. He retired in 1940 from civil service. After the retirement, he held the posts of Home Minister and Education Minister of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.[2] He was given the title of Khan Bahadur by Freeman Freeman-Thomas, 1st Marquess of Willingdon, viceroy and governor general of India in January 1936. In 1962, he was awarded Padma Bhushan (third-highest civilian award of the Republic of India) by Government of India.[1] According to Malik Ram, Asar also served as minister for revenue and later on as prime minister in the State of Kashmir for quite some time.[8]
Writings
He wrote several books in Urdu language.[7]
In Urdu criticism, his collection of essays 'Chhan been', 'Anees Ki Marsiya Nigari', 'Farhang - e - Asar'[8] and 'Mutala e Ghalib'.
- Lakhnavi, Mirza Jafar Ali Khan Asar. Asar ke tanqidi mazamin (in Urdu). Nizami Pres Buk Ijansi.
- Lakhnavi, Asar (2024-12-22). Intekhaab-e-Kalaam Asar Lakhnavi: (Urdu Poetry Collection) (in Urdu). Taemeer Publications. ISBN 978-93-6908-660-3.
Death
He died on 6 June 1967 in Lucknow at the age of 81.[9]
References
- ^ a b c "'असर' लखनवी के 10 चुनिंदा शेर..." Amar Ujala (in Hindi). Retrieved 2025-02-21.
- ^ a b "तुम्हारा हुस्न आराइश तुम्हारी सादगी ज़ेवर, तुम्हें कोई ज़रूरत ही नहीं बनने सँवरने की". Zee News Hindi (in Hindi). Retrieved 2025-02-21.
- ^ Khawer 2011, p. 18.
- ^ Varma 2013, p. 2021.
- ^ Khawer 1977, p. 16.
- ^ Khawer 1977, p. 17-18.
- ^ a b "Asar Lakhnavi". Rekhta (in Urdu). Retrieved 2025-02-21.
- ^ a b Parekh, Rauf (2019-06-10). "Literary Notes: Linguistic purism, Urdu and Asar Lakhnavi". Dawn. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
- ^ Dalvi 2004, p. 65.
Work cited
- Dalvi, Abdus Sattar (2004). Iqbal ka ek mamdooh bhartari- hari (in Urdu). Mumbai: Dairatul Adab, Mumbai. p. 65.
- Khawer, Mahmood (2011). Asar Lakhnavi Shakhsiyat Aur Fan [Asar Lakhnavi: Personality and Contribution] (in Urdu). Karachi: Shalimar Publications.
- Varma, Diljeet (2013). Asar Lakhnavi Ki Nasari Khidmaat [The Prose Contribution of Asar Lakhnavi] (in Urdu). Delhi: Educational Publishing House. ISBN 978-93-5073-167-3.
- Khawer, Mahmood (1977). Asar Lakhnavi Shakhsiyat Aur Karname [Asar Lakhnavi: Personality and Achievements] (in Urdu). Hyderabad: Shalimar Publications.