62 Urdu ash'ar / shayari (shers, couplets) by
Mirza Ghalib
1797-1868,
Agra (Uttar Pradesh)
Mirza Ghalib Biography
Biography
Mirza Ghalib is regarded as one of the greatest poets in the history of Urdu and Persian literature. Born in Agra in 1797, he belonged to a noble family with Turkish ancestry. He lost his parents at a young age and was raised by relatives, a difficult beginning that shaped much of his outlook on life.
Ghalib began writing poetry as a teenager and soon adopted the pen name Ghalib, meaning “victorious.” In his early twenties, he moved to Delhi, a city he came to love deeply and where he spent most of his life. Despite his intellectual brilliance, he faced financial difficulties throughout his career. Still, his wit, charm, and sharp observations earned him respect in literary and elite circles.
He married Umrao Begum at a young age, but their family life was marked by deep tragedy. All seven of their children died in infancy. This personal grief gave his poetry a haunting depth, often filled with longing, sorrow, and philosophical reflection.
Ghalib’s poetry went beyond themes of love. His verses explored fate, faith, doubt, and the human search for meaning. His collection Diwan-e-Ghalib is considered a treasure of Urdu literature, blending lyrical beauty with philosophical depth. While he valued his Persian poetry as highly refined, it was his Urdu ghazals that touched the hearts of readers across generations.
He lived through the decline of the Mughal Empire and witnessed the Revolt of 1857, which devastated Delhi. These events added layers of melancholy and reflection to his writings. Though he was not widely celebrated during his lifetime, his reputation grew enormously after his death.
Mirza Ghalib passed away in Delhi in 1869. Today, he is remembered not only as a literary genius but also as a voice that gave shape to the emotional and intellectual struggles of the human soul. His verses continue to be recited, studied, and loved, making him an eternal figure in world literature.
1 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
ho rahega kuchh na kuchh
ghabrayen kya
day and night the seven skies
keep rotating and revolving
something or else keeps happening
why be so panicked
Theme: Nature, World & Universe (48)
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2 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
agar nahi hain mere ashar
mein maane na sahi
no craving for appreciation
nor a concern for reward
if my words makes no sense
it is what it is
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3 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
rakh de koyi
paimaana-e-sahbaa mere aage
behold the flourish
of my bloom-laden eloquence
when someone
places a goblet of wine before me
mannerism, style
boasting, flowery speech
speech, speaking
cup, measure
wine
Theme: Voice, Expression, & Language (70)
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4 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
ungliyaan figaar apni
khaama khoon-chakaan apna
for how long will i write of my pain
maybe i should go show her
my wounded fingers
and my blood-drenched pen
show
fingers
wounded
quill, writing reed
blood-drenched
Theme: Loneliness, Separation, & Grief (106)
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5 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
kaha jo usne
zara mere paanv daab to de
‘asad’, with joy
my limbs were rendered immobile
when she said
please press my feet
Theme: Beauty, Charm, & Union (102)
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6 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
kayi baar aisa hua hai
federer ko yaad karte karte
if my heart stops a while
don’t presume I am dead
many a time it so happens
when i recollect federer!
Theme: Heart, Mind, & Memory (62)
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7 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
par itna jaante hain
kal wo jaata tha ke hum nikle
where’s the tavern’s entrance, ghalib,
and where is the preacher
i know only this…yesterday,
when i was coming out, he was going in
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8 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
laDte hain aur haath mein
talwaar bhi naheen
who wouldn’t lay down his life,
oh god, at this innocence
she fights but without
a sword in her hand
Theme: Miscellany (44)
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9 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
main ne ye jaana ke
goya ye bhi mere dil mein hai
see the charm of his speech
as what he said, i figured
resonates within me
as if it is in my heart too
Theme: Voice, Expression, & Language (70)
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10 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
par kya karen ki
dil hi aduu hai faraagh ka
a hundred times, i have
broken free from the bonds of love
but what can i do...
for my heart is freedom's enemy
Theme: Heart, Mind, & Memory (62)
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11 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
ab woh
raanaai-e-khayaal kahaan
that was triggered by
imagining a person
where is that
fantasy now?
Theme: Creativity, Philosophy, & Enlightenment (37)
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12 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
pehchaanta naheen hoon abhi
rahbar ko main
i go searching for a short while
with whoever is whizzing past
i am yet to find someone
a guide to show the way
quest, search
fast, speed, quick
gallop, rhythm
spot, identify
guide, leader, ruler
Theme: Friends, Family, & Community (126)
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13 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
aur phir vo bhi
zabaani meri
when did she listen
to my sorry state
that too when i
narrated it myself
Theme: Voice, Expression, & Language (70)
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14 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
royenge hum hazaar baar
koyi hamen sataaye kyun
it is a heart, not a stone or a brick
why won’t it be filled with pain
we may weep a thousand times
why should others care or bother
Theme: Loneliness, Separation, & Grief (106)
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15 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
hota hai shab-o-roz
tamaasha mere aage
a play of children
this world before me
a spectacle unfolds
every day and night before me
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16 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
de aur dil un ko
jo na de mujh ko zabaan aur
oh god, she doesn’t understand me
nor will she ever
either give her another heart
or give me more eloquence
Theme: Voice, Expression, & Language (70)
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17 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
jaan kaalbad-e-soorat-e-deewar
mein aawe
in the gathering where you come
speaking with grace
life takes form
and appears all around
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18 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
na ye haath baag par hai
na paa hai rikaab mein
this horse of life is galloping away
not knowing where it will stop
the reins not in my hand
nor my feet in the stirrup
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19 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
hota hai shauq, ghalib
us ki naheen naheen par
where is the refusal's fun
in ready acceptance
so much charm there is, ghalib,
in her repeated rejections
Theme: Beauty, Charm, & Union (102)
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20 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
koyi nahi tera, to meri jaan,
khuda hai
with people’s indifference
don’t be dismayed, ghalib
if in the world you have none,
so be it, there is god for you
god
indifference, estranged
creation, people
disheartened, dismayed
Theme: Religion, Reason, & Tradition (67)
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21 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
khayaabaan khayaabaan iram
dekhte hain
wherever i see
the prints of your footsteps
i see in that garden
the garden of paradise
world, universe
impression, mark, imprint
step
to see
flower bed, garden
paradise, garden of paradise
Theme: Love, Passion, and Longing (113)
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22 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
aisa bhi koi hai ki
sab achchha kahein jise
ghalib, don't mind if
the cleric finds you sinful
is there anyone at all
the whole world deems virtuous?
Theme: Religion, Reason, & Tradition (67)
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23 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
hai taqaaza-e-zafa
shikwa-e-bedaad nahin
the lament, just a desire for beauty
o cruelty, not an act of creation
it is a demand for healing
not a complaint of separation
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24 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
taqreeb kuch to
bahr-e-mulaaqaat chaahiye
i learned to paint for the sake of
the moon-faced ones
something is needed
to gain an acquaintance
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25 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
lekin tere khayaal se
ghafil nahin raha
though i was a prisoner
to the cruelties of daily life
i never lost
the thoughts of you
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26 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
agar aur jeete rehte
yahi intezaar hota
it wasn’t in my fate
to be with my beloved
had i lived longer, i would
only have waited in vain
Theme: Loneliness, Separation, & Grief (106)
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27 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
dil ka kya rang karuun
khoon-e-jigar hote tak
love demands patience
but desire is restless
how shall i color my heart
until it is finally vanquished
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28 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
jis ko ho deen-o-dil azeez
us ki gali mein jaaye kyun
yes, she is not a believer
yes, she is unfaithful too
if you so value faith and heart
then why keep going to her street
street
believerinGod
unfaithful, disloyal
faith
precious, rare
Theme: Love, Passion, and Longing (113)
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29 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
kuch naadaniyan bhi
kiya karo jawan rehne ke liye
just by coloring your hair
nothing will happen, ghalib
do some crazy stuff
to retain your youth
Theme: Life, Learning, & Living (122)
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30 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
ya wo jagah bata de
jahaan par khuda na ho
oh priest, allow me to drink
sitting here in the mosque
or, show me a place
where there is no god
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31 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
bahut nikle mere armaan
lekin phir bhi kam nikle
thousands of aspirations
each would consume a life
many desires came true
but still just not enough
thousands
desires
desire, aspiration
breath, life
emerge, come out
too much or many
wish, hope
Theme: Hopes, Aspirations, & Dreams (37)
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32 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
dard ki dawa paayi
dard-e-bedawa paaya
from love did my being
find the joy and fun of life
found a cure for pain
found a pain without a cure
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33 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
dil ko khush rakhne ko 'ghalib'
yeh khayaal achchha hai
i do understand
the truth about heaven, but
to keep my heart happy, ghalib
it is a comforting thought
Theme: Religion, Reason, & Tradition (67)
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34 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
hamaare jaib ko ab
haajat-e-rafu kya hai
my bloodied clothes are
sticking to my body
what is the point of
mending a tear in my pocket
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35 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
gumrah to wo hain
jo ghar se nikle hi nahi
we will reach our goal
even if we stray a little
truly lost are the ones who
don't even come out of home
Theme: Quest, Journey, & Destination (52)
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36 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
ki ek hi nigaah
ki bas khaak ho gaye
i had gone to complain
about being ignored
with just one glance
i turned into dust
dust, ashes, worthless
neglect
sight, gaze, glance
fault, complaint
Theme: Love, Passion, and Longing (113)
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37 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
ki lagaaye na lage
aur bujhaaye na bane
we have no power over love,
it is a burning fire, ghalib
lights up without being lit, and
once lit, can’t be extinguished
Theme: Love, Passion, and Longing (113)
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38 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
ye log kyon mere
zakhm-e-jigar ko dekhte hain
may no evil eye fall
on her hands and arms
why do these people
keep gazing at my heart’s wounds
Theme: Loneliness, Separation, & Grief (106)
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39 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
mushkilein mujh par paDi itni ke
aasaan ho gayee
if a person gets accustomed to grief
then grief disappears
so many difficulties have come upon me
that it has become easy to bear them
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40 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
pahle dil-e-gudaakhta
paida kare koi
the beauty of an illuminating
lamp of eloquence is far away, ‘asad’
first, let someone create a heart
that is burnt and melted in love
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41 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
ek teer mere seene
pe mara, ke hai
when you mentioned Kolkata
oh my dear friend
you shot an arrow
straight into my heart
Theme: Home, Country, & Belonging (27)
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42 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
jis dil pe naaz tha mujhe
woh dil naheen raha
no longer worthy
of the blessings of love
the heart i was once proud of,
that heart is no more
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43 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
shamaa har rang mein jalti hai
seher hote tak
who can cure, ‘asad’,
the sorrow of existence except death
the lamp burns in every color
until the dawn arrives
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44 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
aao na ham bhi sair karen
koh-e-tur ki
why should everyone
get the same answer
come, let’s go explore
the mountain of sinai
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45 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
baad marne ke mere ghar se
yeh saamaan nikla
some pictures of my idols
a few letters from beautifuls
after my death, these are what
turned out in my home
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46 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
dhool chehre pe thi
aur aaina saaf karta raha
all through life, ghalib,
kept making the same mistake
the dust was on my face, but
kept cleaning the mirror
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47 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
maut ka ek din muayyin hai
neend kyun raat bhar nahi aati
no hope comes to pass
no face seen anywhere
death has a fixed day to arrive
why then doesn't sleep come all night
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48 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
mere pate se khalaq ko
kyon tera ghar mile?
please don’t bury me
in your lane after my murder
why should people find your house
while looking for me
Theme: Life, Learning, & Living (122)
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49 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
jab aankh hi se na Tapka to
phir lahoo kya hai
that which courses through veins
i don't much care for
if it doesn't drip from the eyes
how can it be blood?
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50 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
khaak ka rizq hai woh qatra
ke dariya na hua
it remains a scar on the heart
the lament that didn’t reach the lips
it remains a part of the dust
the drop that doesn’t become the river
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51 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
mujh se mere gunah ka hisaab
aye khuda, na maang
the painful scars of unmet desires
keep coming to my mind
don't from me also ask, oh god,
an account of my sins
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52 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
josh-e-qadah se
bazm charaaghaan kiye huye
it has been a while since
i had my friend as a guest
with the gathering all lit up by
the vigor and zeal of wine
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53 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
tujhe hum wali samajhte
jo na baada-khvaar hota
these mystical discussions
and your unique narration, ghalib,
we would have deemed you a saint
had you not been a drinker
problems
mysticism
learned person, saint
understand, deem
drinker, drunkard
Theme: Creativity, Philosophy, & Enlightenment (37)
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54 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
sheron ke intekhaab
ne ruswa kiya mujhe
why should my heart’s matters
be open for all to see
my selection of poetry
has disgraced me enough
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55 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
main jaantaa huun
jo vo likhenge jawaab mein
while the messenger returns
i will keep another letter ready
for i know what
she would be writing in reply
Theme: Voice, Expression, & Language (70)
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56 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
baiThe rahen
tasavvur-e-jaanan kiye hue
the heart keeps searching
for those days and nights of ease
sitting enmeshed
with the thoughts of my beloved
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57 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
hum rahen yuun
tishna-lab paigaam ke
while others in the gathering
are kissing their cups of wine
i remain, lips parched,
for news of you
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58 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
shauq-e-fuzool-o-
jurat-e-rindaana chaahiye
from those lips, am sure
to get a kiss one day
just needs pointless passion
and careless courage
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59 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
har baras ke hon
din pachaas hazaar
may you stay well
for a thousand years
may each of those years
have fifty thousand days
Theme: Miscellany (44)
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60 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
aap ki soorat to
dekha chaahiye
for pretty faces
you are so keen, 'asad'
you should take a look
at your face once
face, in the form of
pretty faces
Theme: Miscellany (44)
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61 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
mu-e-aatish deeda hai
halqa meri zanjeer ka
in captivity too, i am ‘ghalib’,
with fire under my feet
i still see the ring of passion
around my shackles
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62 / 62: Mirza Ghalib
peeta hoon
roz-e-abr-o-shab-e-mahtaab mein
ghalib has given up drinking
but, still, once in a while
i enjoy a drink
on cloudy days and moon-filled nights
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