“Mir Taqi Mir”. A fragment from the History of Urdu Poetry “Water of Life” of Muhammad Husayn Azad

Abstract

The article is a translation into Russian of the chapter from the “Water of Life” by Muhammad Husain Azad (1830–1910). This is the chapter about the greatest Urdu poet Mir Taki Mir (1713/1723(?)–1810 AD). The critical work by Azad, the “Water of Life” is considered as the first history of Urdu poetry written in Urdu. Azad was the first to see in this phenomenon a continuous process. The periods in the development of literature are interlinked. Azad identifies five major periods of Urdu poetry and briefly describes each of them. His work comprises biographical facts, characteristics, vivid word-portraits of outstanding Urdu poets and colourful historical anecdotes associated with them. The “Water of Life” had a very significant impact on contemporaries of Azad, as well as on the further development of literary-critical thought in Urdu. It set the standard for literary criticism for many decades. “Water of Life” had a significant impact on contemporaries, as well as on the further development of literary-critical thought in Urdu. It set the standard for literary criticism for many decades to come. Regardless that some historical dates and literary facts, as well as some important generalizations of the author, seem today at least controversial, still many Urdu literati and critics even nowadays fully rely upon the evaluation and criticism of famous poets as given by Azad.