When and where was Mir Taqi Mir born?
Mir Muhammad Taqi was born in Agra in the year 1723. His early life was marked by the sack of Delhi by Ahmad Shah Abdali in 1748, which became a defining tragedy for the poet.
Questions about Mir Taqi Mir
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What happened to Mir Taqi Mir's family and inheritance after his father died?
Mir Taqi Mir's father Mir Abdullah died leaving his son with significant debt. Following this loss, Mir's step-brothers seized control of his inheritance, leaving him destitute and vulnerable.
Why did Mir Taqi Mir decide to write in Urdu instead of Persian?
Mir Taqi Mir made a radical decision to write in Urdu to elevate the vernacular of the common people to the level of high art. His mentor Syed Sadaat Ali convinced him that Urdu was the language of Hindustan by the authority of the king.
When did Mir Taqi Mir migrate to Lucknow and why did he leave Delhi?
Mir Taqi Mir migrated to Lucknow in 1782 at the invitation of Asaf-ud-Daulah, the ruler of Awadh. He sought refuge from the destruction of Delhi and the political fragmentation that followed the repeated invasions by Ahmad Shah Abdali.
How many couplets are in the complete works of Mir Taqi Mir known as Kulliyat-e-Mir?
The complete works of Mir Taqi Mir known as Kulliyat-e-Mir consist of six Diwans containing 13,585 couplets. These works cover a wide variety of poetic forms including ghazal, masnavi, qasida, and satire.