Oriental College Magazine, Punjab University - Lahore

ORIENTAL COLLEGE MAGAZINE

Principal Oriental College, University of the Punjab, Lahore
ISSN (print): 1991-7007
ISSN (online): 2789-4657
Abstract

This research paper delves into the antiquity and richness of the Punjabi language, tracing its roots to the pre-Aryan Indus Valley Civilization. The primary objective of the study is to analyze the tradition of Tazkira Nigari (biographical anthologies) in Punjabi literature, which serves as a vital tool for preserving the cultural and literary heritage of the region. This article explores the transition of this genre from its primitive form, the Bayaz (personal diaries) to structured historical and critical volumes. By examining the works of pioneering scholars such as Baba Budh Singh and Maula Bakhsh Kushta, the paper highlights how this tradition evolved under the influence of Arabic, Persian, and Urdu literary norms. The study further categorizes the existing literature into five distinct types: Formal Tazkiras, Literary histories, thematic anthologies, research theses, and literary directories. A significant portion of the research is dedicated to “District Histories,” which provide an invaluable record of local poets and regional dialects. By documenting the contributions of classical Sufi poets and modern writers across various sub-dialects, this paper concludes that Tazkira Nigari is not merely a biographical record but a foundational pillar for the critical and historical continuity of Punjabi literature.

Author(s):

Jahanzaib Ali Awan

PhD Research Scholar (Punjabi)

Institute Of Punjabi and Cultural Studies, Punjab University, Lahore

Pakistan

  • alizaibjazi@gmail.com

Details:

Type: Article
Volume: 102
Issue: 2
Language: Urdu
Id: 6a548c8c4fc8a
Pages 163 - 192
Discipline: Punjabi
Published July 13, 2026

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