Akbar Allahabadi

Biography

Akbar Allahabadi was one of the most brilliant satirical poets of Urdu, whose wit and sharp commentary still feel fresh more than a century later. Born in 1846 in Allahabad, he lived during a time of immense change in India under British rule.

He worked in government service and eventually rose to the position of a sessions judge. This professional stability gave him the opportunity to observe society closely, and he poured his observations into poetry. His ghazals and nazms were filled with humor, satire, and irony. He often mocked blind imitation of Western culture while also highlighting social contradictions within Indian society.

His verses carried a playful tone but also a deep moral message. He criticized hypocrisy, superficial modernity, and cultural decline, often using everyday language and relatable imagery. His couplets remain popular even today for their timeless humor and wisdom.

Unlike many poets who wrote of romantic love, Akbar Allahabadi gave Urdu poetry a new direction through satire. His legacy is not just in the volumes he wrote but in the way he taught readers to laugh at themselves and reflect on society.

He passed away in 1921 in Allahabad. Akbar Allahabadi is still celebrated as a poet who made people smile even as he made them think.