Q1. Briefly express your views on the social and political background of modern Urdu poetry. OR Write a note on Urdu poetry under the influence of Anjuman-e Punjab.
- Post-1857 period saw British rule, decline of Mughal patronage.
- Traditional ghazal became inadequate for social/national themes.
- Anjuman-e Punjab (1865) pioneered modern Urdu nazm.
- Col. Holroyd, Azad, Hali were pivotal in Anjuman-e Punjab.
Answer: The mid-19th century witnessed profound social and political upheavals in India, significantly impacting Urdu poetry. The decline of the Mughal Empire and the consolidation of British colonial rule, particularly after the 1857 War of Independence, shattered traditional societal structures and literary patronage. This era brought forth new Western educational systems, scientific thought, and an emerging sense of national identity, challenging existing literary norms. This changing landscape rend...