Urdu Quiz

Notes:
Amogh Sirnoorkar, a scientist from Kalaburagi, Karnataka, has been selected for the Post-Doctoral Top Mentor Award 2026, instituted by Purdue University. The award is being presented for the first time and includes a cash prize of 1,500 US dollars, along with a citation and a memento. The scientist is the first (maiden) recipient of this award. The selection was made by a panel of 14 post-doctoral peer judges, evaluating nominees from seven colleges of the university. The award will be formally presented on April 22, 2026, at a ceremony at Purdue University.

Notes:
Malwa Akhbar, started in Indore in 1848, was the first Hindi-Urdu weekly in Madhya Pradesh. Edited by Pandit Prem Narayan, it published half-page content in both languages, pioneering bilingual journalism in the region and marking a significant development in Madhya Pradesh’s print media history.

Notes:
Rampur is home to the main Urdu Teaching Institute in Uttar Pradesh, recognized for its historical role in Urdu language and literature. Notably, the Rampur Raza Library has been a centre for Urdu scholarship, and the city is prominent for organized Urdu education in the state.

Notes:
The Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy was founded in 1962 to promote Urdu language and literature in the state. It supports Urdu writers, organizes literary events, publishes works, and preserves Indo-Islamic heritage related to Urdu. It is an apex Urdu body under the Uttar Pradesh government.

Notes:
Nazeer Akbarabadi (1735–1830), from Agra, is called the “Father of Urdu Nazm” for pioneering natural, social-themed Urdu poetry in simple language. He wrote extensively, focusing on everyday life and society, influencing later poets. His notable works include “Banjaranama” and “Aadmi Naama”.

Notes:
Mir Anis is noted for his Marsiya poetry. Wajid Ali Shah was a prominent patron of Urdu culture in Awadh. Josh Malihabadi is renowned for his modern, revolutionary contributions to Urdu poetry. Hence, all the pairs are correctly matched.

Notes:
Lucknow made major contributions to Urdu literary forms. Marsiya was perfected by Mir Anis and Mirza Dabeer; ghazal and qasida flourished with poets like Aatish and Nasikh. Prose forms such as dastan were also popularized, notably with printed works like Dastan-e-Amir Hamza. Thus, all four forms were significantly developed in Lucknow.

Notes:
Mirza Ghalib is considered a bridge between classical and modern Urdu poetry. While rooted in classical ghazal tradition, his poetry introduced philosophical depth, existential questioning, and personal introspection that went beyond conventional romantic themes. Ghalib’s innovative use of metaphor, ambiguity, and intellectual complexity influenced later generations of Urdu poets. His work marked a transition from rigid classical norms toward a more reflective and individualistic poetic expression, laying the foundation for modern sensibilities in Urdu literature.

Notes:
Ghulam Hamadani Mushafi coined the term “Urdu” for the language circa 1780. The word derives from Turkish, meaning “camp” or “army,” highlighting its origin as a language of the Mughal military camps and administration, blending Persian, Arabic, Turkish, and local Indian dialects.

Notes:
Nawab Kalb Ali Khan Bahadur (ruled 1865–1887) was celebrated for his Urdu poetry, prose, and essays. He promoted arts, literature, and established libraries in Rampur, making the region a renowned literary center.