Moin Ahsan Jazbi

Biography

Moin Ahsan Jazbi was a distinguished Urdu poet and academic whose long life spanned much of the twentieth century. Born in 1912 in Mubarakpur, Azamgarh, he developed an early interest in poetry and soon found his way into literary circles. His pen name “Jazbi” reflected the depth of feeling and sincerity that came to define his work.

He pursued higher education at Aligarh Muslim University, an institution that shaped many leading literary and political figures of his time. Jazbi remained closely connected to AMU for most of his career, eventually serving as a professor in the Urdu department. His presence on campus inspired generations of students, and his dual role as both poet and teacher gave him a special place in the world of letters.

As a poet, Jazbi began writing during the heyday of the Progressive Writers’ Movement. Influenced by the call for literature to reflect social realities, he combined progressive ideals with a deeply personal, romantic sensibility. His ghazals and nazms reflected both love and longing as well as concern for justice, equality, and the struggles of common people.

He published several poetry collections, including Faraib-e-Nazar, Tulu-e-Sahar, and Roshni Ki Talash. His verses carried a quiet dignity, balancing the traditions of classical Urdu with the demands of modern expression. He was equally admired for his command over form and for the sincerity of his voice.

Though progressive in thought, Jazbi was never overly polemical. His poetry retained lyrical beauty and often expressed hope in the face of hardship. This blend of artistry and social concern made his work widely respected among readers and critics alike.

In his personal life, Moin Ahsan Jazbi was known as a gentle and humble man. Colleagues and students remembered him as approachable, generous with his time, and committed to the nurturing of literature as both an art and a moral responsibility.

He lived a long and productive life, passing away in 2005 in Aligarh at the age of 93. His death marked the end of an era for Urdu poetry and for Aligarh Muslim University, where he had been a guiding presence for decades.

Moin Ahsan Jazbi is remembered as a poet who managed to weave together the beauty of romantic verse with the urgency of social commitment. His work remains part of the living tradition of Urdu poetry, read by those who seek both elegance and conscience in literature.