Lahore University of Management Sciences

Course Code SALT 220

Sub continental Persian Poetry

From Amir Khusro (1253-1325) to Ghalib (1797-1869)

(Fall 2015-16)

Instructor Dr. Muhammad Athar Masood

Room No. 236, Old SS Wing
Office Hours
Email athar.masood@lums.edu.pk
Telephone 0334-4222103
Secretary/TA YES
TA Office Hours YES
Course URL (if any)

Course Basics
Credit Hours
Lecture(s) 28 Duration 14 Weeks
Recitation/Lab (per week) Nbr of Lec(s) Per Week - Duration -
Tutorial (per week) Nbr of Lec(s) Per Week - Duration -

Course Distribution
Core LITR
Elective YES
Open for Student Category
Close for Student Category

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Sub continental Persian Poetry

From Amir Khusro (1253-1325) to Ghalib (1797-1869)

This bilingual (Urdu-English) course is aimed at introducing the poetical works of great maestros of
Persian poetry from subcontinent from 13th to 19th century. Selected texts from the works of celebrated poets e.g.
Amir Khusro (1253-1325), Abul Faiz Faizi (1547-1595), Abdul Qadir Bedil (1642-1720) and Ghalib (1797-
1869) etc along with Urdu or English translations shall be provided to the students and they shall be encouraged
to discuss the theme, content, socio-cultural and literary importance after reading them in class. Through response
papers, students shall be assigned to research the influence of Persian poetry on the life of people and general
histories of that era.

Students shall have the option to attempt response papers/class assignments and to take the
midterm and final exam in English or in Urdu.

COURSE PREREQUISITE(S)
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There are NO pre requisites for this course.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
(1) To expand cultural outlook of the students as they study works by poets brought up in
subcontinent with a centuries old tradition of Persian Poetry;

(2) To introduce students with creative richness of the Persian poetry produced in subcontinent;

(3) To acquaint students with the linguistic and historical affinity of Indo-Iranian tradition of
Persian poetry;
(4) To familiarize students with socio-historical and literary history of the subcontinent.

Learning Outcomes
(1) Have fairly sufficient knowledge of the common cultural heritage of Persian and Urdu
poetry;

(2) Further explore the linkages between Persian and Urdu as well as regional languages of

Pakistan;
(3) Read and understand Persian and Urdu poetry more effectively;

Grading Breakup and Policy

Presentation(s): NIL
Response Papers: 20 % (10+10)
Quiz(s): NIL
Class Participation: 15 %
Attendance: 10 %
Midterm Examination: 25 %
Project: NIL
Final Examination: 30 %

There shall be two response papers before and after the midterm exam.

Examination Detail

Yes/No: YES
Midterm Combine Separate: SEPARATE
Exam Duration: 60 minutes
Preferred Date: After 14 lectures
Exam Specifications: Closed Books & Closed Notes

Yes/No: YES
Combine Separate: SEPARATE
Final Exam
Duration: 90 minutes
Exam Specifications: Closed Books & Closed Notes

COURSE OVERVIEW
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Week/
Recommended Objectives/
Lecture/ Topics
Readings Application
Module
Revision of the basics of Persian
language especially with the help of
masterpieces of Persian poetry to
familiarize students with the general
Lectures 1, 2 mood and diction of Persian poetry.
(Add/drop)

An overview of evolution of Persian

poetry in subcontinent; introduction to As per detailed list given at the
the works by major exponents from end
Masood Sad Salman (d. 1130) to
Mirza Ghalib (d. 1869)

Lecture 3 An Introduction to the life and works of

Amir Khusro (1253-1325) Reading Pack

Reading of selected ghazals by Amir

Lectures
4, 5, 6
Khusro (1253-1325) along with Reading Pack
translation and explanation of the text.

An Introduction to the life and works of

Lecture 7
Abul Faiz Faizi (1547-1595) Reading Pack

Lectures Reading of selected ghazals by Faizi Reading Pack

8, 9, 10 (1547-1595) along with translation and
explanation of the text.

Arrival of Persian poets from

Lecture 11 neighbouring Iran; Literary and cultural As per suggested readings
fusion.

A brief introduction to the life and

Lectures literary career of Urfi Sherazi (1555- Reading Pack
12, 13,14 1590), Naziri Nishpuri (d. 1612) and
Saib Tabrezi ( 1601-1650) in
subcontinent.

Lecture 15 Midterm Exam Midterm Exam

Lecture 16
An Introduction to the life and works of Reading Pack
Mirza Abdul Qadir Bedil (d. 1720)

Lectures
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17, 18, 19 Reading of selected ghazals by Bedil Reading Pack
Dehlavi (d. 1720) along with translation
and explanation of the text.

An Introduction to the life and works of Reading Pack

Lecture 20
Mirza Ghalib (1797-1869)

Lectures Reading of selected ghazals by Mirza

21, 22, 23 Ghalib (1797-1869) along with Reading Pack
translation and explanation of the text.

An analytical review of Persian poetry

Lecture 24 under great Mughals i.e. from Babur to As per suggested readings
Aurangzeb (1526-1707)

An analytical review of Persian poetry

Lecture 25 under later Mughals i.e. from Shah Alam As per suggested readings
I to Bahadur Shah Zafar (1707-1857)

Evolution of Sabk-e-Hindi in Persian

poetry; a glance at its salient features As per suggested readings
Lecture 26
and its importance in the history of
Persian poetry

Lecture 27 Presentations by the students

Lecture 28 Final Exam

Textbook(s)/Supplementary Readings

English:

1. Abdul Ghani, Dr. A History of Persian Literature at the Mughal Court, Allahbad 1929.
2. Levy, R., Persian Literature, London 1969.
3. Nabi Hadi, A History of Indo-Persian Literature, New Delhi 1995.
4. Syces, P.M., A History of Persian Literature, London 1915.
5. Aryanpour, Minuchehr, A History of Persian Literature, Tehran 1973.
6. Browne, E.G., A literary History of Persia, New York 1906.
7. Yarshater, Ehsan. , Some Characteristics of Persian Poetry and Arts, Studia Islamica (1962) pp 61-72

Urdu:

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Persian: