Seemab Akbarabadi

Biography

Seemab Akbarabadi was one of the most prolific poets of the twentieth century, whose sheer volume of work and dedication to literature earned him enduring respect. Born Aashiq Hussain Siddiqui in 1882 in Agra, he grew up in a modest family but showed an early talent for language and verse.

He chose the pen name Seemab, meaning mercury, and adopted Akbarabadi to honor Agra’s historical name, Akbarabad. His career as a poet spanned several decades, during which he became a central figure in Urdu’s transition into the modern age.

Seemab wrote ghazals, nazms, masnavis, marsiyas, qasidas, and translations. His language was accessible yet refined, and he covered a wide range of subjects: love, philosophy, social commentary, and spirituality. His devotion to poetry was not limited to writing; he also founded Qaisar-e-Hind Press in Agra, through which he published not only his own works but also those of other poets, making literature more accessible to the public.

He was admired for his technical skill and ability to produce poetry in almost every form of Urdu prosody. Critics often marveled at his energy, as he left behind more than fifty collections, making him one of the most published poets of his era.

After Partition, Seemab moved to Pakistan and settled in Karachi. He continued to write until his death in 1951. While his fame was overshadowed by some of his contemporaries, his dedication to poetry as both an art and a service to society remains remarkable. Seemab Akbarabadi is remembered as a craftsman whose contribution to Urdu literature was vast, sincere, and enduring.