Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan, known by his pen-name “Ghalib”, was born in Agra in 1797 and spent most of his life in Delhi. Writing in both Urdu and Persian, he became the foremost poet of the late Mughal era and served as court poet to the last emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar. His wit, philosophy and emotional depth make him the most quoted Urdu poet of all time.
Famous couplets (اشعار)
ہزاروں خواہشیں ایسی کہ ہر خواہش پہ دم نکلے
بہت نکلے مرے ارمان لیکن پھر بھی کم نکلے
hazaaron khwahishen aisi ke har khwahish pe dam nikle / bahut nikle mere armaan lekin phir bhi kam nikle
Thousands of desires, each so intense it could take my life — many of my longings were fulfilled, yet still they were too few.
Mirza Ghalib (1797–1869) — The master of the Urdu ghazal. Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan, known by his pen-name “Ghalib”, was born in Agra in 1797 and spent most of his life in Delhi. Writing in both Urdu and Persian, he became the foremost poet of the late Mughal era and served as court poet to the last emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar. His wit, philosophy and emotional depth make him the most quoted Urdu poet of all time.
What is Mirza Ghalib famous for?
Mirza Ghalib is remembered for the master of the urdu ghazal. 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.