Judging by the name, ‘the age of Ghalib’ explores life led by the great 19 th century poet in reference to

influences on his personality, and in turn the work that he produced. Contrary to mainstream analysis,
his personality traits together with his general attitude towards life in general are discussed on a
microscopic level to give Ghalib a humanly representation. The author’s work can be sub-divided into
smaller components for better contextualization; a brief timeline of his life and the crucial stages that
greatly influenced him, the resulting character traits that he came to possess and how Ghalib's work is a
reflection of his personality as well as his theories about life.

Ghalib’s youthful days were met with an unfortunate fate when his father, Mirza Abdullah, and later his
paternal uncle, Nasrullah Khan, both passed away when he was 9 years of age. Recognized as the
guardian of Ghalib’s family, he then remained in the custody of his brother-in-law, Nawab Ahmed Baksh.
He spent his youthful days in the care of his maternal granduncle in Agra, where he got accustomed to a
life full of luxury and extravagant habits. Despite his early freedom and the lavish lifestyle, he was
acquainted with, his education was not neglected. This is evident from his writings at an early age while
he was in Agra, and studies under the influence of Abdus Salam. Throughout the two years that Ghalib
spent under his guidance, he was introduced to Persian literature, mythology and history. However, as
one might question, was this the only time that Ghalib received formal education? More so, was this
suffice to make him into the intellectual man that he grew into? The answer is no. And hence this paves
way to the idea that Ghalib was largely a self-taught man. It was through his own conscious efforts that
he was able to refine his intellectual capabilities, articulate his own impression of the world and work
diligently towards the improvement of his mind.

Further ahead, the essay mentions that Ghalib's life met many unfortunate fates which shaped him as a
person and the effects of which are predominant in his later work as a poet. The first of these instances
was the passing away of his father as mentioned earlier. Though not exactly unfortunate, the
experiences that he had molded his outlook on life in his formative years. The second occurred in 1826,
when Ghalib involved himself in a prolonged lawsuit against the Nawab who he thought was keeping
him away from his rightful earnings. Just as the lawsuit was decided against him, Ghalib's life took a
drastic turn towards the worst. This was the beginning of his financial difficulties and an unstable career
as a poet; he could no longer sustain his expensive habits and continuously struggled to acquire the
renowned status and substantial income that he once enjoyed. Consequently, he desperately made
attempts to get acquainted with a noble court just as political instability like the mutiny and the demise
of the Mughal Empire rendered his efforts unsuccessful. His visit to Calcutta during the British rule in
India left another pivotal mark on him. He was greatly inspired by the technological advancements and
social transformation brought about by the British. His work throughout these years of profound
external influence coupled up with his response to the changing times to reveal reveals the ideals,
values and belief system that Ghalib possessed.

deprived him of it from time to time. and later tried to associate himself with the Queen of England
under the British rule of India. This reveals the ideals, values and belief system that Ghalib possessed.
Another influential life occurrence that greatly inspired him was his visit to Calcutta under the British
rule. This was the time when has deeply impressed by the technological advancements and social
improvements brought about during that time. Subsequently, he made continuous efforts get
recognition by the queen as weel as the viceroy by writing numerous Qudsia's in their name. Although
his efforts were rendered unsuccessful, they reveal a great deal about how he viewed the world and
around him, and more importantly, what he thought of himself.

The author contends that Ghalib is to be perceived just as any other human being. As we read the text
and dwell on the detailed examples, it becomes evident that Ghalib had multitude of personalities and
we ought to understand them individually to drive away from the idealistic perception of his character.
The first of these examples is his letter written to the Nawab of Rampur in the year 1937. The wordings
of the letter and the way that he pleads for help in order to sustain his affluent habits are incompatible
with the dignity of a great poet. However, according to Dr. Abdul Haq’s review as given in the essay “we
should study both sides of his character, good and bad, as truthfully and honestly as possible”.
Subsequently, as we go deeper into the study of how and what he wrote, keeping in mind the stage in
life he was at, it becomes increasingly evident that he was simply a man of the world. It is said that he
was devoid of sentiments feelings and even loyalty, and that the only hero he knew was himself. For
example, before the great mutiny of 1857, he wrote extensively about the sufferings of his people and
the demise of Mughal empire at the hands of British. However, just as we glance back at a few years
back, we come to see that he did not refrain in his efforts to join alliances with the British. This was the
result of his visit to Calcutta as mentioned above that seem to have shaped the way he thought of life in
India. In light of this, he wrote extensively praising the Queen of England and even delivered Qasida to
Lord Cunnings on multiple occasions with the sole intention to be recognized. This simply shows that
Ghalib was an opportunist and was indeed a man of the world. He held that “ideals were from men and
not men from ideals” and individual principles becomes secondary if one is to get on with his life. From
the very beginning, and especially after his defeat in the lawsuit against the Nawab, Ghalib had his eyes
set on one interest only. He only aspired to restore his pension. His allegiance to either the British or the
Mughals was simply a means to get where he aspired to be. This way of thinking ties neatly with his self-
esteem issues. Just as Ghalib was seen to know himself as the sole hero, his attitude towards his
contemporaries only adds to this belief. Rising in the ranks and securing his pension went alongside his
efforts to elevate his position above that of others. Even in his poetry, the selection of difficult words as
well as his inclusion of Persian language in his prose was an act to reinstate his authority. Proclaiming his
egoistic and self-centered personality, the author states that “envy was his twin weakness”. This is
clearly evident from his agitation towards Zauq, one of the greatest poets that lived in his time. The
latter’s profound linguistic capabilities often provoked Ghalib to say ungenerous things about him. These
traits and the examples that back them

simply chose to wrote in difficult prose to reinstate the idea that his work was better than everyone’s
else’s and wanted nothing but more appreciation from people around him. His egoistic personality is
evident from his enviousness of Zauq, the greatest poet of his time. Whose plebian taste often provoked
him into saying very ungenerous things about him. This helps us to conclude that it is equally paramount
to view all of Ghalib's traits under the same light. It is these traits that in turn influenced his inner life
and poetry.

The reading then moves onto discuss the prominet themese of his peotry to showcarse how it portrayed
ghalib’s personality.
He was not so made to take into account his declining but rather dwelled on his ansestors, his titles and
let his imagination run on them.

Conventional nature of his poetry as it contains the same themes as the usual themese of urdu poetry.

His ghazals stand distint in their abiloty to reflect upon his inner life.

Outlook on life was essentially and overwhelmingly pagan. More intent on living life than theorizing
about it. Yearned to have more of lofe and always looked for possibiloties of more pleasure. Owed no
alligiance to the religious framework. The only reality he was concerned about was the world and there
was no other truth that he longed for apart from this and there was a sense of revlt that ghalib claims
when he sticks to these beliefs.

Criticism of religious ideals and orthodox beliefs. Virtue should be its own reward. No peace of mind for
ppl who hope to seek reward in heaven. They are the same as people who do wrongly in this world.

He believs that life is good and works to make the best of it. Life is worth living even at its poorest. The
very act of resistance is a great privilidge. The worst is the death, the darkness of the grave. God has
implanted string instincts in us to make the most of our lives. Hence to cherish or entertain desires is a
sign of life.

Where does his pessimsim come from then? Self pity. Dwelling on the past becaise of his present
financial difficulties. Memories of youth

Youtthful ardour, means and leaisure, freedom from worries.

Ghalib could escape life narrowness because of his keen intellect. More so, it was the open-mindedness
of his that allowed him to be a number of things at once. Did not permit just any one aspect of his life.
life is too complex to simply be put into one single category. Wide receptivity of his mind and mot a
predisposition towards just one way of life.

Inquiring mind. All his impressions are that of a personal discovery. They do not constitute a final version
ofof his indea of life.

Ghalib had enriched poetry with certain ideas that were unknown before. However this fact alone does
nto determine poetic greatness.

. Ghalibs end was pathetic. This is when he came to acknowledge the unreality of life. Self surrender and
sense of futility.
We come to know that Abus salam was his chief formative influence

Early freedom and his stay with his maternal grand uncle.

Chief formative influence was abdus salam.

Self-taught man.

1826 as a turning point in his life prolonged lawsuit with the nawab. Lawsuit decided againt him and left
him a ruined man.

Could no longer support his expensive habits and came in the shadow of debtor's prison. His piece of
mind was forever gone.

Imprisoned for gambling. Heart was broken by the humiliation.

In 1854 on Zauqi's death he was appointed poetic preceptor to the emperor but these small mercies
dissapeared with the mutiny. This was the time where he faced immense hardshopes and survived by
selling heis persinal pocessions. Twi years after the mutiny he was appointed a stipend of rs 100 per
month by nawab of rampur and then a tear after even hs pension was restored. This meant that he
spent his last days with comparative ease and passe away on 15 feburary 1869.

His life event: vist to calcuta. Impressed bythe advancements of the british. Turning point in his life.
Studied the new prose of writing which is evident in his urdu letters. Fort william college. Professor
itisham hussain.

However according to ghalib this switch to new prose was only a matter of personal convinience. It was
only after he has received significant praise for it that he realised that he had given a new direction to
prose.

Nothing to prove that he was interested in the for william college literature.

just as any other human being, had two sides to his character. This is higjighted through some of his
prose. Example include the letter he wrote to the nawab of rampur.

Man of the world. He was an oppurtunist and was not troubled with feelings or sentiments. Desperate
efforst to restore pension.

Set his eye straight on the interest to get into royal court. Self esteem issues. Wanted more
appreciation.

Controversial figure. Persian language. How he saw other poets and wanted to rise above the ranks of
poetry.

Envy was his twin weakness.

Subconsciouscess traits that had an effect on his inner life and poetry. Only remarkable thing about him
is his poetry.

He was not so made to take into account his declining but rather dwelled on his ansestors, his titles and
let his imagination run on them.

Conventional nature of his poetry as it contains the same themes as the usual themese of urdu poetry.

His ghazals stand distint in their abiloty to reflect upon his inner life.

He was more a poet of persian than he was or durdu bevase he has wrotten more expentisvely in urdru
as compared to persian. Howvere, it is importat to cinsider the wide range of his work to understand his
persinality hollistically.

Outlook on life was essentially and overwhelmingly pagan. More intent on living life than theorizing
about it. Yearned to have more of lofe and always looked for possibiloties of more pleasure. Owed no
alligiance to the religious framework. The only reality he was concerned about was the world and there
was no other truth that he longed for apart from this and there was a sense of revlt that ghalib claims
when he sticks to these beliefs.

Criticism of religious ideals and orthodox beliefs. Virtue should be its own reward. No peace of mind for
ppl who hope to seek reward in heaven. They are the same as people who do wrongly in this world.

He believs that life is good and works to make the best of it. Life is worth living even at its poorest. The
very act of resistance is a great privilidge. The worst is the death, the darkness of the grave. God has
implanted string instincts in us to make the most of our lives. Hence to cherish or entertain desires is a
sign of life.

Where does his pessimsim come from then? Self pity. Dwelling on the past becaise of his present
financial difficulties. Memories of youth

Youtthful ardour, means and leaisure, freedom from worries.

Ghalib could escape life narrowness because of his keen intellect. More so, it was the open-mindedness
of his that allowed him to be a number of things at once. Did not permit just any one aspect of his life.
life is too complex to simply be put into one single category. Wide receptivity of his mind and mot a
predisposition towards just one way of life.

Inquiring mind. All his impressions are that of a personal discovery. They do not constitute a final version
ofof his indea of life.
Ghalib had enriched poetry with certain ideas that were unknown before. However this fact alone does
nto determine poetic greatness.

Excellence as a poet. His personality is much less attractive. Least admirable relfection of his character is
his beliefs about love. For him it is not a way of life but rather a part of life. What he wrote while his wife
was on the deathbed is a reflection of this. His life lacked srenity. Love had been denied to him. What
really makes life worth living is some ideal passion.

Ghalibs end was pathetic. This is when he came to acknowledge the unreality of life. Self surrender and
sense of futility.

Life of Ghalib was a tragedy. Could not find his to the ideals that he had in mind. His age was to
mediocre to supply the stimulis for his high original work.

Intense desire to be unlike others.

Grew less self-centered as time passed.

Theory of poetry was part of his theory of life.