Famous Urdu Poet Hasrat Mohani Biography And Poetry

Introduction

Hasrat Mohani, whose full name was Syed Fazl-ul-Hasan, was a renowned Urdu poet, freedom fighter, and social reformer during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was born on 14th November 1875, in Mohan, a village in the Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh, India. Hasrat Mohani's literary and political contributions have left an indelible mark on Urdu poetry and the Indian independence movement.

Early Life and Education

Hasrat Mohani's early life was marked by a thirst for knowledge and a passion for poetry. He received his initial education from his father, Syed Sultan Ahmed, a scholar and poet himself. Mohani's aptitude for languages was evident from a young age, as he excelled in Persian, Arabic, and Urdu. His formal education continued at Nadwat-ul-Ulema in Lucknow, where he became well-versed in Islamic studies, literature, and philosophy.

Literary Journey

Hasrat Mohani's literary journey began with poetry, and he was profoundly influenced by the classical and Persian poets. He adopted "Hasrat" as his takhallus (pen name), which means "desire" or "longing," reflecting his emotional and passionate style of poetry. His verses often touched upon themes of love, longing, social justice, and spirituality.

He wrote in both ghazal and nazm forms, showcasing his versatility. His ghazals were known for their deep emotional resonance, while his nazms addressed social issues, emphasizing the need for reform and change. Hasrat Mohani's poetic expression resonated with people across various strata of society, making him a prominent figure in Urdu literature.

Political Activism

Hasrat Mohani's poetic and literary pursuits were intricately connected to his political activism. He was a prominent participant in the Indian freedom movement against British colonial rule. He believed that literature and politics could be powerful tools for change and used his poetry to inspire and mobilize people for the cause of independence.

In 1908, Hasrat Mohani founded the Urdu weekly newspaper "Urdu-i-Mu'alla" which played a pivotal role in raising awareness about political issues and rallying support for the freedom movement. He was also a vocal advocate for Hindu-Muslim unity, believing that a united front was essential for the success of the Indian struggle for independence.

Imprisonment and Exile

Hasrat Mohani's fiery speeches and writings caught the attention of the British authorities, leading to his arrest on charges of sedition in 1921 during the Non-Cooperation Movement.He Was sent to jail for two years. However, even behind bars, he continued to write and inspire fellow inmates with his poetry.

After his release, Hasrat Mohani was exiled to Afghanistan due to his continued involvement in the independence movement. Despite the physical distance from his homeland, he remained dedicated to the cause and continued to contribute to Urdu literature.

Return to India and Later Life

After a period of exile, Hasrat Mohani returned to India in 1927. He continued his literary and political activities, advocating for the rights of workers and peasants and emphasizing the importance of education and social upliftment. He also played a significant role in the Khilafat Movement, which aimed to support the Ottoman Caliphate.

Hasrat Mohani's later poetry reflected his evolving thoughts on social justice and equality. He continued to address the issues of poverty, exploitation, and communal harmony in his verses. Despite facing personal hardships and health issues, he remained committed to his principles until his passing.

Legacy

Hasrat Mohani's legacy is multifaceted. He is remembered as a literary giant who enriched Urdu poetry with his poignant verses. His commitment to social reform, his relentless struggle for independence, and his advocacy for unity and equality have left an enduring impact on India's history. His poetry continues to be cherished and recited, and his life story serves as an inspiration for future generations of poets, writers, and activists.

Conclusion

Hasrat Mohani's life journey encapsulates his deep love for poetry, his unwavering commitment to the freedom movement, and his persistent advocacy for social justice. His legacy reminds us of the power of literature and activism to shape societies and inspire change. As we reflect on his contributions, we recognize Hasrat Mohani as not only a renowned Urdu poet but also a trailblazer in the struggle for India's independence and a champion of humanitarian values.

Sample Of Poetry 

Ghazal No 1

bhlata lakh hon lekn brabr yad aatay hen

alٰhe trk alft pr oh keonkr yad aatay hen

nh chherr aay hm nshen kefet shba kay afsanay

shrab bay khode kay mjh ko saghr yad aatay hen

rha krtay hen qed hosh men aay oae'ay nakame

oh dsht khod framoshe kay chkr yad aatay hen

nhen aate to yad an ke mhenon tk nhen aate

mgr jb yad aatay hen to aksr yad aatay hen

hqeqt khl ge'e hsrtؔ tray trk mhbt ke

tjhay to ab oh phlay say bhe brrh kr yad aatay hen

Hasrat Mohani

Ghazal No 2

kesay chhpaؤn raz ghm، dedۂ tr ko kea kron

dl ke tpsh ko kea kron، soz jgr ko kea kron

gher hay grchh hmnshen، bzm men hay to oh hsen

phr mjhay lay chla ohen، zoq nzr ko kea kron

shorsh aashqe khan، aor mre sadge khan

hُsn ko teray kea khon، apne nzr ko kea kron

ghm ka nh dl men‌ ho gzr، osl ke shb ho yon bsr

sb yh qbol hay mgr، khof shr ko kea kron

hal mera tha jb btr، tb nh hoe'e tmhen khbr

bad mray hoa asr، ab men‌ asr ko kea kron

dl ke hos mta to de، an ke jhlk dkha to de

pr yh kho kh shoq ke "bar dgr" ko kea kron

hasrat nghz go tra، koe'e nh qdrdan mla

ab yh bta kh men tray، arz hnr ko kea kron

Hasrat Mohani

Ghazal No 3

phr bhe hay tm ko msehae'e ka daoe dekho

mjh ko dekho mray mrnay ke tmna dekho

hm nh khtay thay bnaot hay yh sara ghsh

hns kay lo phr oh anhon nay hmen dekha dekho

ghr say hr oqt nkl aatay ho kholay hoe'ay bal

sham dekho nh mre jan soera dekho

mhfl gher men bay prdh tmhen dekh lea

ab kbhe hm say khbrdar nh chhpna dekho

khanۂ jan men nmodar hay ak pekr nor

hsrto aaؤ rkh yar ka jloh dekho

dl ko rngene khoahsh ke khta pr aakhr

mlte hay as gl rana say sza kea dekho

samnay sb kay mnasb nhen hm pr yh atab

sr say dhl jae'ay nh ghsay men dopth dekho

mr mtay hm to kbhe yad bhe tm nay nh kea

ab mhbt ka nh krna kbhe daoe dekho

sr khen bal khen hath khen paؤn khen

an ka sona bhe hay ks shan ka sona dekho

ab oh shokhe say yh khtay hen stm gr hen jo hm

dl kse aor say kchh roz ko bhla dekho

oaazo mnh men tmharay bhe bhr aae'ay pane

me'ay rngen ka jo saghr say chhlkna dekho

bat kea hay jo hoe'ay jatay ho tm yon he khfa

mjh ko dekho nh mray dl ka dhrrkna dekho

jrm nzarh ph kon atne khoshamd krta

ab oh rothay hen lo aor tmasha dekho

dosto trk mhbt ke nseht hay fzol

aor nh mano to dl zar ko smjha dekho

mste hsn say apne bhe nhen tm ko khbr

kea sno arz mre hal mra kea dekho

hos ded mte hay nh mtay ge hasratؔ

dekhnay kay leay chaho anhen jtna dekho

Hasrat Mohani