Biography of Famous Urdu Poet Meer Taqi Meer

Early Life and Background

Meer Taqi Meer, full name Mir Muhammad Taqi, was a prominent Urdu and Persian poet born on 18th March 1723 (11 Shawwal 1135 AH) in Agra, India. He hailed from a family of nobles and was born into a world of culture and refinement.

Literary Journey

Meer Taqi Meer's literary journey began early, and he exhibited a remarkable talent for poetry from a young age. He was deeply influenced by the classical Persian and Urdu poetry of his time. His ghazals and nazms reflected the themes of love, pain, separation, and the mystic experience, which resonated with the emotions of his readers.

Mystical Inclinations

Meer Taqi Meer was not just a poet of emotions but also had a strong connection with Sufism and mysticism. His verses often contained deeper layers of meaning, exploring spiritual and philosophical themes. This mystic inclination added a unique dimension to his poetry.

Shift to Delhi

Meer Taqi Meer moved to Delhi around 1782, which was a significant phase in his life. Delhi was a hub of culture and literature during that time, and it was in this environment that Meer's poetic prowess truly blossomed. He became an integral part of the literary and cultural circles in the city.

Master of Ghazal

Meer Taqi Meer is widely regarded as the master of the Urdu ghazal. His ghazals are characterized by their eloquence, depth of emotion, and intricate use of language. He enriched the ghazal form with his unique style and innovative expressions, earning him a place of honor in the world of Urdu poetry.

Personal Struggles

Meer Taqi Meer's life was marked by personal struggles and sorrow. His poetry often reflected the pain of unrequited love and the fleeting nature of human existence. These personal tribulations added a layer of authenticity to his verses, making them resonate with the hearts of his readers.

Legacy and Influence

Meer Taqi Meer's legacy continues to live on through his poetry. His ghazals and nazms have been celebrated and admired by generations of poets, writers, and lovers of Urdu literature. His profound impact on Urdu poetry has earned him a revered place in the pantheon of literary giants.

Death and Commemoration

Meer Taqi Meer passed away on 21st September 1810 (9 Safar 1225 AH) in Lucknow, leaving behind a treasure trove of poetic masterpieces. His tomb in Lucknow remains a site of homage and remembrance, where admirers and lovers of poetry pay their respects to this literary luminary.

Conclusion

Meer Taqi Meer's life and poetry remain an integral part of Urdu literary heritage. His ability to capture the complexities of human emotions and his profound insights into the nature of existence have ensured his enduring influence on subsequent generations of poets and writers.

Sample Of Poetry 

Ghazal No 1

tjh ph gr mere nzr nhen jate

jan jate hay pr nhen jate

dr o deoar sn kay rotay hen

aah tm tk mgr nhen jate

jan lay oh zban nzron ke

daa mere asr nhen late

sochta hon kh tm say khh don ga

bat lb tk mgr nhen aate

jo bhe jata hay lot aata hay

to keon phr lot kr nhen aate

ktna pagl hay dl yh khta hay

ead asko ab tere nhen aate .

Meer Taqi Meer

Ghazal No 2 

faqirana aae'ay sda kr chlay 

kh mean khosh rho hm daa kr chlay 

jo tjh bn nh jenay ko khtay thay hm 

so as ahd ko ab ofa kr chlay 

shfa apne tqder he men nh the 

kh mqdor tk to doa kr chlay 

prray aesay asbab paean kar 

kh nachar yon je jla kr chlay 

oh kea chez hay aah js kay leay 

hr ak chez say dl atha kr chlay 

koe'e naamedanh krtay ngah 

so tm hm say mnh bhe chhpa kr chlay 

bht aarzo the gle ke tre 

so yan say lho men nha kr chlay 

dkhae'e dee'ay yon kh bay khod kea 

hmen aap say bhe jda kr chlay 

jben sjdh krtay he krtay ge'e 

hq bndge hm ada kr chlay 

prstsh ke yan tk kh aay bt tjhay 

nzr men sbhon ke khda kr chlay 

jhrray phol js rng glbn say yon 

chmn men jhan kay hm aa kr chlay 

nh dekha ghm dostan shkr hay 

hmen dagh apna dkha kr chlay 

ge'e amr dr bnd fkr ghzl 

so as fn ko aesa brra kr chlay 

khen kea jo pochhay koe'e hm say merؔ 

jhan men tm aae'ay thay kea kr chlay 

Meer Taqi Meer

Ghazal No 3 

meray malk nay mray hq men yh ahsan kea

khakِ nachez tha men so mjhay ansan kea

aos sray dl ke khrabe hoe'e aay ashq dregh

too nay ks khanۂ mtboa ko oeran kea

zbt tha jb te'en chaht nh hoe'e the zahr

ashk nay bhh kay mray chhray ph tofan kea

antha shoq ke dl kay jo sba nay pochhe

aok kfo khak koe'e aُn nay preshan kea

mjh ko shaar nh kho merؔ kh sahb men nay

drd o ghm ktnay keay jma to deoan kea

Meer Taqi Meer

Ghazal No 4

dl ke bat khe nhen jate chpkay rhna thana hay 

hal agr hay aesa he to je say jana، jana hay 

as ke ngahِ tez hay meray dosh o br pr an rozon 

eane dl phlo men meray terِstm ka nshanh hay 

dl jo rhay to paؤn ko bhe damn men hm khench rkhen 

sbh say lay kr sanjh tlk aodhr he jana aana hay 

srkh kbho aanso hen hotay zrd kbho hay mnh mera 

kea kea rng mhbt kay hen yh bhe aek zmanh hay 

as nomedeo bay ghaet pr ks mqdar krrha kreay 

do dm jetay rhna hay to qeamt tk mr jana hay 

frst km hay yan rhnay ke bat nhen kchh khnay ke 

aankhen khol kay kan jo kholo bzmِ jhan afsanh hay 

fae'dh hoga kea mtrtb nash hrzh drae'e say 

ks ke nseht kon snay hay aashq to deoanh hay 

tegh tlay he as kay keon nh grdn dal kay ja bethen 

sr to aakhrkar hmen bhe khak ke aor jhkana hay 

aankhon ke yh mrdm dare dl ko kso dlbr say hay 

trzo ngh trare sare merؔ tmhen phchana hay 

Meer Taqi Meer

Ghazal No 5 

ashq men zlt hoe'e khft hoe'e thmt hoe'e

aakhr aakhr jan de yaron nay yh shbt hoe'e

aks as bay ded ka to mtsl prrta tha sbh

dn chrrhay kea janon aae'enay ke kea sort hoe'e

dl ka jana aaj kl tazh hoa ho to khon

gzray as bhe sanhay ko hm nshen mdt hoe'e

bay zban jo khtay hen mjh ko so chp rh jae'en gay

markay men hshr kay gr bat ke rkhst hoe'e

hm nh khtay thay kh nqsh as ka nhen nqash shl

chand sara lg gea tb nem rkh sort hoe'e

as ghzl pr sham say to sofeon ko ojd tha

phr nhen malom kchh mjls ke kea halt hoe'e

km kso ko merؔ ke met ke hath aae'e nmaz

nash pr as bay sr o pa ke bla ksrt hoe'e

Meer Taqi Meer