The terms 'India' (Latin) and 'Hindustan' (Persian) are derived from the Old Persian word 'Hindu'. This was the Persian pronunciation of 'Sindhu', the Sanskrit name for the Indus River. The Greeks later adapted this to 'Indos', leading to 'India'.
1862
Which Irish poet explored rural life and history in *Digging* and *Death of a Naturalist*?
Seamus Heaney (1939–2013), an Irish poet, wrote *Digging* and *Death of a Naturalist*, blending rural imagery with reflections on history and identity. His accessible yet profound style earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1995, making him a modern Irish literary giant.
1863
Which 13th-century Persian poet wrote mystical verses like *The Masnavi*?
Jalaluddin Rumi (1207–1273), a Persian Sufi poet, wrote *The Masnavi*, a six-volume spiritual epic, and other mystical verses that explore divine love and unity. His poetry, translated widely, remains influential in Sufism and world literature, inspiring readers across cultures.
1864
Who inspired Muslim revival through Urdu and Persian poetry like *Shikwa*?
Dr. Muhammad Allama Iqbal (1877–1938), a Muslim poet and philosopher, wrote *Shikwa* and *Jawab-e-Shikwa* in Urdu and Persian, inspiring Muslim revival and the idea of Pakistan. His works, like *Asrar-e-Khudi*, blend spirituality and nationalism, earning him the title ‘Poet of the East.’
1865
Who is celebrated for timeless Urdu and Persian ghazals like *Yeh Na Thi Hamari Qismat*?
Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan Ghalib (1797–1869) was a prominent Urdu and Persian poet whose ghazals, like *Yeh Na Thi Hamari Qismat*, explore love, loss, and philosophy. His *Diwan-e-Ghalib* is a masterpiece, making him one of Urdu’s greatest poets.
1866
Which poetic collection by Allama Iqbal reflects on divine inspiration and human destiny?
Zabur-e-Anjam, written by Dr. Allama Iqbal, is a Persian poetic collection that explores themes of divine inspiration, human purpose, and spiritual awakening. Published in 1936, it reflects Iqbal’s philosophical vision for Muslim revival and self-realization.
1867
Which poem narrates a tragic tale of a father and son in Persian legend?
Sohrab and Rustum, written by Matthew Arnold in 1853, is a narrative poem based on a Persian legend from Firdausi’s Shahnama. It tells the tragic story of a father unknowingly killing his son in battle, exploring themes of fate and loss.
1868
Which epic narrates the history of ancient Persia?
Shahnama, written by Firdausi in the 10th century, is a Persian epic that chronicles the mythical and historical past of Iran. Its stories of kings and heroes, such as Rustam, make it a cornerstone of Persian literature.
1869
Who translated the Persian quatrains of a famous poet-astronomer?
Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, translated by Edward FitzGerald in 1859, is a collection of quatrains by the Persian poet Omar Khayyam. FitzGerald’s lyrical rendering introduced Persian poetry to the English-speaking world, emphasizing themes of mortality and beauty.
1870
Which Iqbal work responds to Western philosophical traditions in poetry?
Payam-e-Mashriq, written by Allama Iqbal in 1923, is a collection of Persian poetry that responds to Western philosophical and literary traditions, particularly Goethe’s works. It reflects Iqbal’s vision of bridging Eastern and Western thought.
