SHRI RAM MURTI SMARAK ENGINEERING

INSTITUTIONS
Subject Name:- Indian Tradition, Culture and Society
Subject Code- KNC/502/602
Unit- II
Lecture.4
Topic Name :- Indian Languages & Literature (Persian,
Urdu & Hindi)- Part-2
Dr. Ashok Kumar
SRMS, Collage of Law
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 1
 Content
1:- Persian Language & Literature
2:- Urdu Language & Literature
3:- Hindi Language & Literature

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 2

 Indian Languages
& Literature

Urdu Language & Literature

• Origin- Urdu developed in the Delhi
region. Urdu literature originated some
time around the 14th century in present-
day North India among the sophisticated
gentry of the courts.

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 3

 Continued…
• The continuing traditions of Islam and patronizations
of foreign culture centuries earlier by Muslim rulers,
usually of Turkic or Afghan descent, marked their
influence on the Urdu language given that both
cultural heritages were strongly present throughout
Urdu territory.
• The Urdu language, with a vocabulary almost evenly
split between Sanskrit-derived Prakrit and Arabic-
Persian words, was a reflection of this cultural
amalgamation.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 4
 Continued…
• Special contributors- Amir Khusro exercised great
influence on the initial growth of not only Urdu
literature, but the language itself which only truly took
shape as distinguished from both Persian and proto-
Hindi around the 14th century.
• He is credited with the systematization of
northern Indian classical music, including Hindustani
music, and he wrote works both in Persian and Hindavi.
• While the couplets that come down from him are
representative of a latter-Prakrit Hindi bereft of Arabic-
Persian vocabulary, his influence on court viziers.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 5
 Continued…
• And writers must have been transcendental, for a century
after his death Quli Qutub Shah was speaking a language
that might be considered to be Urdu.
• Sultan Muhammed Quli Qutb Shah was a scholar in
Persian and Arabic. He also wrote poetry in Telugu
language, Persian language and Urdu language. His
poetry has been compiled into Dewan or volume entitled
"Kulliyat-e-Quli Qutub Shah." Muhammed Quli Qutub
Shah had the distinction of being the first Saheb-e-dewan
Urdu poet and is credited with introducing a new
sensibility into prevailing genres of Persian/Urdu poetry.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 6
 Continued…
• It is said that the Urdu language acquired the
status of a literary language due to his
contributions. He died in the year 1611.
• The Sultans of Bijapur were also great patrons of
Urdu poets. Ibrahim Adil Shah II made the
Deccani Urdu as the court language in place of
Persian. Some of the prominent scholars of
Deccani Urdu which flourished in Bijapur were
Shah Miranji Shams-ul-Ushahaq and Burhan-ud-
Din Janun, who composed fine poems.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 7
 Continued…
• Some important Urdu works are as follows-
1. Mirat ul-Ashiqin by Khwaja Banda Nawas Gesu Daraz.
2. Khushnama and Khushnagaz- Shah Miran.
3. Gulshane-Ishaq, Alinama and Tarikh-i-Skandari- .
Muhammad Nusrat .
4. Dastongi- Urdu literature was generally composed more
of poetry than of prose. The prose component of Urdu
literature was mainly restricted to the ancient form of
epic stories called dastan.

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 8

 Continued…
• These long stories have complicated plots that deal with
magical and otherwise fantastic creatures and events.
5. Tazkiras- Tazkiras, are compilations of literary memoirs
that include verses and maxims of the great poets along
with biographical information and commentaries on their
styles.
• They are often a collection of names with a line or two of
information about each poet, followed by specifics about
his composition. Some of these Tazkiras give biographical
details, and a little idea of the style or poetical power is
transmitted.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 9
 Continued…
6. Novels- Initially, Urdu novels focused on urban
social life, eventually widening in scope to include
rural social life. They also covered the changing
times under the progressive writing movement
inspired by Sajjad Zaheer.
• However, the partition of India had a great impact
on the novel, bringing up questions of identity and
migration as can be seen in the major works of
Abdullah Hussain and Quratul Ain Haider.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 10
 Continued…
• Towards the end of the last century the novel took
a serious turn towards the contemporary life and
realities of the young generations of India.
• The most significant novels of the current
generation of Indian novelists in Urdu, which
demonstrate a new confidence in contemporary
life, are Makaan by Paigham Afaqui, Do Gaz
Zameen by Abdus Samad, and Pani by Ghazanfer.
 
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 11
 Continued…
Hindi Language & Literature
• It is usually held that the Hindi language was evolved during
the period between 7th and 10th century A.D. But notable
works in this language were produced only in the 11th century
A.D. Popularity of this language was mainly due to the
patronage exten­ded to it by the provincial rulers.
• During Sultanate period, Hindi did not fully grow, although it
was gradually becoming the language of the people residing in
Central India.
• With the spread of the Bhakti Movement this language greatly
flourished. Saints like Gorakhnath, Namadeva, Kabir, etc.
composed Bhajans, Pads (Hindi verses).
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 12
 Continued…
• The earliest work produced in Hindi was Prithviraj Raso
written by Chand Bardai at the court of Prithviraj
Chauhan of Delhi.
• In this book Chand Bardai describes the life of the
warrior king Prithviraj and gives an account of the war
with Muslims. Another contemporary of Chand Bardai
was Jagnayak, the author of Alha Khand.
• In this work Jagnayak describes in lyric deeds of love
and war of two brave warriors Alha and Udal of Mahoba.

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 13

 Continued…
• Another work of the same period is credited to Bhatt Kidar
entitled Jayachand Parkash in which he has given the
exploits of Jai Chand, the ruler of Kanauj.
• Sarangdhar wrote Hamir Raso and Hamir Kavya in which he
gives a glowing account of the brave deeds of Raja Hamir
Dev Chauhan of Ranthambor.
• Similarly works like Vijaypal-Raso by Nalh Singh,
Bimldeva-Raso by Narpati Nath, The early Hindi works
were mainly religious. This literature is also designated as
heroic ballads because they dealt with brave deeds of Rajput
Chiefs and warriors.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 14
 Continued…
• It is said that Kabir alone wrote about twenty thousand
verses. His compositions possesses a force and charm of its
own which went a long way in forging a sense of unity
amongst the Hindus and the Muslims. His literature went a
long way in popularizing Hindi. Guru Nanak, the founder of
Sikhism, also rendered great service to the cause of Hindi
literature.
• The Sufi saints also played an important role in popularizing
Hindi literature. Sufi saints like Mulla Daud composed
Chandawat, Kutban wrote Mrigawat, Manzan wrote Madhu
Malti and Malik Muhammad Jayasi wrote famous Padmavat.

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 15

 Continued…
• These writers expounded the cardinal principles of
Sufism in their works. But the most important
contribution to the growth of Hindi literature was made
by Amir Khusrau.
• He made use of simple Hindi language in his
compositions, particularly in his riddles. The simplicity
and the direct appeal of his compositions became
popular, with the general masses.
• When the Mughals came to the scene, Hindi had already
developed as a literary language. Hindi literature
received new encouragement under Akbar.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 16
 Continued…
• Akbar’s courtiers included some of the prominent
literary figures such as, Raja Birbal, Raja Man Singh,
Raja Bhagwan Das, Prithviraj Rathor. Other notable
poets and writers in the court of Akbar were Narhri,
Karan, Harinath, Gang and Abdur Rahim Khan-i-
Khanan.
• The Dohas in Hindi which are popular even today and
are read with great interest and admiration. The book
Rahim Satsai has occupied a very high position in Hindi
literature.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 17
 Continued…
• It may be noted that most of the Hindi literature
produced during the Mughal period was religious in
character. It dealt either with Krishna worship or Rama
cult. Further most of the literary figures flourished in
the area around Brajbhumi, or the valley of Jamuna.
• Tulsi Das was without any doubt the most outstanding
scholars. He spent most of his time at Banaras and
produced twenty-five works of high standard. The most
outstanding work of Tulsi Das was Ram Charit Manas
popularly known as the Ramayana
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 18
 Continued…
• The other important works of Tulsi Das include Ram
Gitawali, Vinay Patrika, Parwati Mangal, Janki
Mangal, Dohawali etc.
• Sur Das was another important Hindi poet who wrote
about Krishna in prolific style. He wrote many
inspiring songs about the early life of Lord Krishna as
well as love of Krishna and Radha.
• He wrote in Brajbhasha as his most popular work is
Sur Sugar. The other works attributed to Sur Das are
Sur Saravali & Sahitya Lehari
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 19
 Continued…
• Amongst the Muslim scholars who wrote Hindi poetry,
the name of Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan stands out
distinctly. He wrote didactic poetry of a high order.
• His several hundred verses which have come down to
us, enjoy an honorable position in the Hindi literature.
• Another Muslim poet which deserves mention was Ras
Khan. He was a devotee of Lord Krishna and
composed a number of poems in which he depicted the
life of Sri Krishna in the woods of Varindaban. Akbar is
him­self said to have composed certain verses in Hindi.

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 20

 Continued…
• In the Medieval times Mughals and other rulers of
India also patronized Hindi scholars and poets.
Shah Jahan patronized Kavindrachary.
• Bhushan was patronized by Shivaji and Chhatrasal
Bundela. He produced important works like Shiva
Bawani, Chhatrasal Shatak and Shivraj Bhushan.
• Another notable authors of Hindi literature was
Bihari Lal Chaube who rendered valuable
contribution to Hindi literature.

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 21

 Important Questions
Q1.Give a brief account of the Persian
Literature.
Q2. Write short note on Urdu Literature.
Q3. Write short note on Hindi Language and
Literature.
Q4. Write short note on Tulsi Das.
Q5. Write short notes on Sur Das.

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 22

 References
• Reference Books:-
1. V.D. Mahajan, Ancient India
2. R. S. Sharma, India’s Ancient Past
3. A.L. Basam, The wonder that was India
4. D.N. Jha, Ancient India
5. U.S. Singh, Ancient India
6. S.R. Myneni, Ancient India
• Notes:- IGNOU.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 23
Thank You

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 24