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Title اردو آپ بیتیاں اور یاداشتیں: لاہور کی ادبی، ثقافتی، سیاسی و سماجی صورتحال کی عہد بہ عہد عکاسی

Author(s) Muhammad Tahir Sabir

Abstract The present research explores the socio-political, cultural, and literary landscape of Lahore as depicted in Urdu autobiographies and memoirs. Throughout history, Lahore has been recognized as an ancient hub of politics, society, and literature, continuously expanding its grandeur with the passage of time. Historical records spanning thousands of years suggest that Lahore’s political, social, and cultural prominence can be traced back to the Ghaznavid era. The Ghaznavid rule profoundly influenced Lahore in multiple aspects, including its linguistic landscape, leading to the widespread adoption of Persian. The fusion of Hindu and Muslim cultures during this period endowed Lahore with a distinct cultural identity. Lahore continued its political and cultural growth under the Ghurid dynasty and the Delhi Sultanate. The reigns of Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb are considered the golden periods of Lahore’s history. However, the Sikh rule marked a phase of intellectual, literary, and cultural decline. With the advent of the British, Lahore witnessed not only political transformations but also significant changes in its literary and intellectual atmosphere. The introduction of a new language further reshaped the city’s cultural fabric. Urdu autobiographies and memoirs provide more than just personal experiences of their authors; they offer deep insights into the socio-political and cultural conditions of their respective eras, thereby helping us understand Lahore’s evolving cultural identity. This study examines how Urdu autobiographies and memoirs portray Lahore’s cultural evolution and its role as a cultural epicenter. It also investigates how these texts, independent of conventional historical narratives, document Lahore’s socio-political dynamics. Moreover, the research explores how Lahore’s viii changing literary landscape has been represented in these accounts, separate from conventional literary histories. This study employs documentary, historical, and thematic research methods. To understand Lahore’s transformation through Urdu autobiographies and memoirs, texts that specifically highlight Lahore’s image have been analyzed. These autobiographies, written by notable literary, political, and social figures of the 20th and 21st centuries, serve as primary sources. The events, impressions, and observations documented in these writings have been critically examined to uncover Lahore’s socio-political, cultural, and literary elements. Given the nature of this research, it was imperative to explore Lahore’s cultural heritage, political fluctuations, and literary developments through Urdu autobiographies rather than conventional historical texts. The study’s significance lies in its structure: the first chapter provides a historical analysis of Lahore’s political, social, and literary transformations from the Ghaznavid era to post-independence, using traditional historical sources. The subsequent chapters examine Lahore’s socio-political and literary landscape before and after the partition, as portrayed in Urdu autobiographies and memoirs. The research concludes that autobiographies are not merely personal narratives; rather, they transcend individual experiences to illuminate broader historical identities and societal transformations. Through these autobiographies, this study sheds light on Lahore’s cultural evolution, socio-political shifts, and literary development across different eras. Before the Partition, Lahore stood as a vibrant intellectual, literary, cultural, and political hub, where literary gatherings flourished, and the city remained a focal point for political activities. However, after the creation of Pakistan, Lahore embarked on a new cultural journey, experiencing shifts in its political and literary dimensions. The narratives recorded in Urdu autobiographies and memoirs document this political ix transition, revealing the multifaceted nature of Lahore’s politics, society, and literary traditions over time.

Type Thesis/Dissertation PhD

Faculty Languages

Department Urdu

Language Urdu

Publication Date 2025-09-03

Subject Urdu

Publisher NUML

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