Mah Laqa Chanda

Biography

Mah Laqa Bai Chanda was a pioneering female voice in Urdu poetry and an iconic figure in eighteenth and early nineteenth-century Hyderabad. Born in 1768, she belonged to the cultural world of the Asaf Jahi court, where she gained recognition as a poet, courtesan, and patron of the arts.

What makes Mah Laqa Chanda especially significant is that she is widely regarded as the first woman poet in Urdu to have her Diwan (collection of poetry) published. Her Diwan-e-Chanda showcased her command of the ghazal, a genre dominated by male poets of her time. Her verses conveyed themes of love, longing, spiritual reflection, and the complexities of human experience, marking her as a voice of distinction in Urdu literary history.

Chanda was not only a poet but also a woman of influence in Hyderabad’s cultural circles. She enjoyed respect in the Nizam’s court, where she often participated in mushairas and gatherings of poets. Known for her beauty, wit, and intellect, she was admired both as an artist and as a learned woman who broke social barriers.

Apart from her literary contributions, Mah Laqa Bai Chanda was also known for her philanthropy and support of cultural institutions. She commissioned gardens, libraries, and other charitable works, reflecting her commitment to both society and the preservation of knowledge.

Her life combined art, literature, and social engagement at a time when women’s voices were seldom given public recognition. She passed away in 1824 in Hyderabad, leaving behind a legacy not only as a remarkable poet but also as a trailblazer for women in South Asian literature.

Mah Laqa Bai Chanda remains celebrated as a symbol of talent, resilience, and cultural pride, remembered for her historic role as the first woman to publish an Urdu Diwan.