Ghalib

More copies of the Divaan-e Ghalib have been printed than of any other book in the history of Urdu literature,

Ghalib’s verse may be the most translated of all Urdu writing, in the most number of languages.

Umrao being rather religious and Ghalib a bit of a libertine, they appeared to have been quite a well-adjusted couple. Their relationship was marked by levity. For example, Ghalib is reputed to have brought home a large cache of liquor. When Umrao asked him where he got the money for it, he said he had spent his stipend on it. ‘God has promised food for His subjects, so I am not worried. But he did not promise them wine, so I have made my own arrangements.’ She threw him out, liquor and all. He eventually returned, with his shoes in his hand. When she asked him why, he said, ‘Since this house has been turned into a mosque by you, I need to take appropriate precautions.’ She began to smile and all was well.

While in Agra, the young Ghalib studied philosophy, astronomy and Arabic along with other subjects.

Ghalib is reported to have written his first ghazal when he was eleven, using the pen name (takhallus) ‘Asad’. He would adopt the takhallus ‘Ghalib’ in 1816, but continued to use ‘Asad’ on occasion.

His philosophy was to give before being asked: be-talab deN to maza us meiN siva milta hai; vo gada jis ko na ho khoo-e savaal achcha hai (the joy of giving without being asked is unique; the beggar who does not have the need to beg is a welcome sight).

He doesn’t appear to have spent any time doing physical labour or seeking any manner of paid employment. It was only later in life that he served as a tutor to the rich, the famous and the gifted.