'Hazaron Khwahishein Aisī...!' Mirza Ghalib's Couplets That Transcend Time

MIRZA GHALIB’S 226th BIRTH ANNIVERSARY: Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan, renowned by his pen name Ghalib, holds a distinguished position as one of the most renowned and respected poets in Urdu and Persian languages. His verses, or couplets, still resonate with the varied facets of life. The couplets often exude satire, spirituality and romance.

The famous Mughal Era poet, born on December 27, 1797, in Agra’s Kala Mahal, hailed from a lineage tracing back to Aibak Turks, who, post the decline of Seljuk Kings, migrated to Samarkand (present-day Uzbekistan). Arriving in Delhi at the age of 13, Ghalib left behind a rich legacy in the literary world that made him immortal.

In the twilight of the Mughal Empire, Ghalib emerged as a prominent Urdu and Persian poet, assuming the role of the tutor for Bahadur Shah Zafar II and Prince Fakhr-ud Din Mirza, the eldest son of Bahadur Shah II.

Despite attaining a significant position in the court of the last Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar II, Ghalib had declared that his true fame would only materialise posthumously. This prophecy has proven to be true, as he became immortal through his poetry even though fame eluded him in his lifetime.

On Mirza Ghalib’s 226th birth anniversary, let us reflect on the legacy of this legendary Urdu poet, an embodiment of Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb, through some of his widely cherished couplets.

10 Most Popular Couplets

1. Ishq ne Ghalib nikamma kar diya, Warna ham bhi aadmi thay kaam ke.
2. Hazaron khwahishen aisi ki har khwahish pe dam nikle, Bahut nikle mere armaan, lekin phir bhi kam nikle.
3. Ishq par zor nahin, hai ye vo atish Ghalib, Ki lagae na lage, aur bujhaye na bane.
4. Na tha kuch to khuda tha, kuch na hota to khuda hota, Duboya mujh ko hone ne, na hota main to kya hota.
5. Ishq se tabiyat ne ziist ka mazaa paaya, Dard ki dawa paayi, dard-e-be-dava paaya.
6. Hain aur bhi dunya me sukhan war bahut acha, Kahete hain ke Ghalib ka hai andaz-e-bayan aur.
7. Ishrat-e-qatra hai dariya mein fana ho jaana, Dard ka had se guzarna hai dava ho jaana.
8. Un ke dekhe se jo aa jaati hai munh par raunaq, Wo samajhte hain ki bimar ka haal achha hai.
9. Reḳhte ke tumhin ustaad nahin ho Ghalib, kahte hain agle zamane mea koi mir bhi tha.
10. Hum ko maalum hai jannat ki haqiqat lekin, dil ke khush rakhne ko Ghalib ye khayal achha hai.