Bahadur Shah Zafar: The Poet King of the Mughal Empire

Introduction:
Bahadur Shah Zafar, known as the last Mughal emperor of India, was a figure of immense significance during the tumultuous period of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Beyond his political stature, Zafar was also an accomplished poet whose verses captured the essence of love, longing, and the bittersweet beauty of life. This piece delves into the life and poetry of Bahadur Shah Zafar, highlighting his dual roles as a ruler and an artist.

  • Early Life and Rise to the Throne:

Born on October 24, 1775, in Delhi, Bahadur Shah Zafar was the second son of Akbar Shah II and the grandson of the illustrious Emperor Shah Alam II. He received a comprehensive education in various subjects, including history, literature, and Persian poetry. Despite being an artist at heart, Zafar ascended to the throne in 1837, following the death of his father.

  • The Reign of Bahadur Shah Zafar:

As emperor, Zafar faced numerous challenges, including the decline of the Mughal Empire and the growing influence of the British East India Company. He was known for his tolerant and liberal policies, fostering an environment of cultural exchange and religious harmony. However, his power was largely symbolic, with the British controlling significant portions of India.

  •  The Poet-King:

Amid the political turmoil, Bahadur Shah Zafar found solace and expression through his poetry. His verses, composed in Urdu and Persian, captured the yearning for freedom, the transience of life, and the longing for love. Zafar's poetry showcased his deep empathy for the common people and his anguish over the state of his beloved country.

  • The Spirit of Resistance:

The Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny or the First War of Independence, witnessed Bahadur Shah Zafar assuming a prominent role. Despite his advanced age, Zafar became a symbol of resistance, as freedom fighters rallied behind him. Though the rebellion ultimately failed, Zafar's unwavering spirit left an indelible mark on the struggle for independence.

  • Exile and Legacy:

Following the suppression of the rebellion, Bahadur Shah Zafar was exiled to Rangoon (present-day Yangon) in Burma (now Myanmar) by the British. He spent his final years in captivity, where he continued to write poetry, reflecting his longing for his homeland and the nostalgia for his lost empire. Zafar's poetry encapsulated the essence of the times and remains an important part of Urdu and Persian literary traditions.

Conclusion:
Bahadur Shah Zafar's life embodied the dualism of a ruler and a poet, a man torn between his responsibilities as an emperor and his passion for art. His poetry continues to resonate with readers, offering profound insights into the human condition and the struggle for freedom. Despite the challenges he faced, Bahadur Shah Zafar's enduring legacy lies in his ability to express the universal emotions of love, loss, and longing through his evocative verses, ensuring that his name lives on in the annals of history and literature.

baat karni mujhe mushkil kabhi aisi to na thi
jaisi ab hai teri mahfil kabhi aisi to na thi
le gaya chhin ke kaun aaj tera sabr o qarar
be-qarari tujhe ai dil kabhi aisi to na thi
uski aankhon ne KHuda jaane kiya kya jadu
ki tabiat meri mail kabhi aisi to na thi
aks-e-ruKHsar ne kis ke hai tujhe chamkaya
tab tujh men mah-e-kaamil kabhi aisi to na thi
ab ki jo rah-e-mohabbat men uThai taklif
saKHt hoti hamen manzil kabhi aisi to na thi
pa-e-kuban koi zindan men naya hai majnun
aati aawaz-e-salasil kabhi aisi to na thi
nigah-e-yar ko ab kyun hai taghaful ai dil
wo tere haal se ghafil kabhi aisi to na thi
chashm-e-qatil meri dushman thi hamesha lekin
jaisi ab ho gai qatil kabhi aisi to na thi
kya sabab tu jo bigaDta hai zafar se har bar
KHu teri hur-shamail kabhi aisi to na thi

yaa mujhe afsar-e-shaahaa na bnayaa hota
yaa meraa taaj gadaayaa na bnaayaa hota
Khaak_saarii ke liye garche bnayaa thaa mujhe
kaash Khaak-e-dar-e-jaanaa.N na bnayaa hota
nashaa-e-ishq kaa gar zarf diyaa thaa mujh ko
umr kaa tang na paimaanaa banaayaa hotaa
apnaa divanaa bnayaa mujhe hotaa tuune
kyo.n Khirad_mand banaayaa na banaayaa hotaa
sholaa-e-husn chaman me.n na dikhayaa us ne
varanaa bul_bul ko bhii paravaanaa banaayaa hotaa
roz-e-mamuuraa-e-duniyaa me.n Kharaabii hai 'Zafar'
aisi basti se to viraanaa bnayaa hota
Bahadur Shah Zafar

Urdu Script

"یا مجھے افسرِ شاہانہ بنایا ہوتا،
یا میرا تاج گدائنا بنایا ہوتا۔

اپنا دیوانہ بنایا مجھے ہوتا تو نے،
کیوں خردمند بنایا نہ بنایا ہوتا۔

خاکساری کے لئے گرچے بنایا تھا مجھے،
کاش خاکِ درِ جاناں بنایا ہوتا۔

نشہِ عشق کا گر زرف دیا تھا مجھ کو،
عمر کا تنگ نہ پیمانہ بنایا ہوتا۔

دلِ سد چاک بنایا تو بلا سے لیکن،
زلفِ مشکیں کا تیرے شانہ بنایا ہوتا۔

صوفیوں کے جو نہ تھا لائقِ صحبت تو مجھے،
قابلِ جلسہِ رندانہ بنایا ہوتا۔

تھا جلانا ہی اگر دوریِ ساقی سے مجھے،
تو چراغِ درِ مے خانہ بنایا ہوتا۔

شعلہِ حسن چمن میں نہ دکھایا اس نے،
ورنہ بلبل کو بھی پروانہ بنایا ہوتا۔

روز معمورہِ دنیا میں خرابی ہے 'ظفر'،
ایسی بستی کو تو ویرانہ بنایا ہوتا۔

Lagta Nahin Hai Dil Mera Ujde Dayaar Mein
Kiski Bani Hai Aalam-E-Napaydaar Mein

Keh Do In Hasraton Se Kahin Aur Ja Basein
Itni Jageh Kahan Hai Dil-E-Daagdar Mein

Umr-E-Daraaz Mang Kar Laye The Chaar Din
Do Aarzoo Mein Kat Gaye Do Intezaar Mein

Kitna Hai Badnaseeb Zafar! Dafan Ke Liye
Do Gaz Zameen Bhi Na Mili Kooye-E-Yaar Mein

Bahadur Shah Zafar

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लगता नहीं है दिल मेरा उजड़े दयार में
किसकी बनी है आलम-ए-नापाएदार में

कह दो इन हसरतों से कहीं और जा बसें
इतनी जगह कहाँ है दिल-ए-दाग़दार में

उम्र-ए-दाराज़ मांग कर लाए थे चार दिन
दो आरजू में कट गए, दो इंतेज़ार में

कितना है बदनसीब ज़फ़र! दफ़न के लिए
दो गज़ ज़मीन भी न मिली कू-ए-यार में


لگتا نہیں ہے دل میرا اُجڑے دیار میں
کسکی بنی ہے عالمِ ناپائدار میں

کہ دو اِن حسرتوں سے کہیں اور جا بسیں
اتنی جگہ کہاں ہے دلِ داغدار میں

عمرِ دراز مانگ کر لائے تھے چار دن
دو آرزو میں کٹ گئے دو انتظار میں

کتنا ہے بدنصیب ظفر! دفن کے لئے
دو گز زمین بھی نہ ملی کوئے یار میں