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Classical Urdu poetry · 1790–1854

Ibrahim Zauq ابراہیم ذوق

Poet laureate of Delhi

Lifespan1790–1854
Era18th century
Couplets here2
LanguageUrdu

Sheikh Muhammad Ibrahim “Zauq”, born in Delhi in 1790, was the ustaad (teacher) of the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar and the poet laureate of the Delhi court. A rival of Ghalib in his own time, he was renowned for his polished craftsmanship and pithy, memorable verse.

Famous couplets (اشعار)
لائی حیات آئے قضا لے چلی چلے
اپنی خوشی نہ آئے نہ اپنی خوشی چلے
laayi hayaat aaye qaza le chali chale / apni khushi na aaye na apni khushi chale
Life brought me and I came; death leads me away and I go — I came not of my own will, nor do I depart by it.
Life & Wisdom
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اب تو گھبرا کے یہ کہتے ہیں کہ مر جائیں گے
مر کے بھی چین نہ پایا تو کدھر جائیں گے
ab to ghabra ke ye kehte hain ke mar jaayenge / mar ke bhi chain na paaya to kidhar jaayenge
In despair I now say I will simply die — but if even death brings no peace, then where shall I go?
Sad · Dard
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More poets
Mirza GhalibAllama IqbalMir Taqi MirDaagh DehlviBahadur Shah ZafarMomin Khan MominHasrat Mohani

FAQs

Who was Ibrahim Zauq?

Ibrahim Zauq (1790–1854) — Poet laureate of Delhi. Sheikh Muhammad Ibrahim “Zauq”, born in Delhi in 1790, was the ustaad (teacher) of the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar and the poet laureate of the Delhi court. A rival of Ghalib in his own time, he was renowned for his polished craftsmanship and pithy, memorable verse.

What is Ibrahim Zauq famous for?

Ibrahim Zauq is remembered for poet laureate of delhi. This page collects some of his most celebrated couplets with their meaning.

All verse shown is from the public domain (poets deceased over a century ago). Transliteration and English renderings are UrduCentral’s own, provided to aid understanding.