For word meanings and explanatory discussion in English click on the tabs marked “Roman” or “Notes”.
Recitation
ہماری زبان ہے ۔ برج موہن دتّاتریا کیفیؔ
۱
اُردو ہے جس کا نام ہماری زبان ہے
دنیا کی ہر زبان سے پیاری زبان ہے
وہ وصف کون سا ہے جو اُس میں ملا نہیں
سائنس اِس میں یا ادب و فلسفہ نہیں
۲
جمنا کنارے جس کی ابھی تک ہے گونجتی
دلکش بھرن مُراری کی مُرلی کے راگ کی
پی پی کے دودھ لہروں کا اُس کے پلی ہے یہ
پانڈوں کی راجدھانی میں سیانی ہوئی ہے یہ
۳
بڑھ کر نہیں ہے اِس سے کوئی آرین زباں
لفظوں کے میل کو کہو تو وہ نہیں کہاں
ایسی زباں میں وجہ شرف کی یہی ہے بات
اُردو کو ہر زبان سے ہے ربط و اِلطفات
۴
فرقوں کا ربط، صبط کا ہے اِس سے انتظام
قومی یگانگی کا ہے قایم اِسی سے نام
اُردو بنی ہے مسلم و ہندو کے میل سے
دونوں نے صَرف اِس پہ دماغ اور دل کیے
۵
صدیوں سے راج کاج چلائے اِسی نے ہیں
جاری جو ضابطے ہیں بنائے اسی نے ہیں
قوموں کے اِتحاد کا یہ شاہکار ہے
کلچر کا اس کی ذات پہ دار و مدار ہے
۶
اِس سے ہی ملک میں وہ رواداریاں رہیں
شیخ اور برہمن میں وفاداریاں رہیں
تاریخ ہند کی وہ ہے سرتاج آج تک
ہے اتحاد و اُنس کی معراج آج تک
۷
اردو کے کارنامے جو ہیں یادگار ہیں
کیں خدمتیں سماج کی جو بے شمار ہیں
اس نے کسی زباں کو نکالا نہ ہند سے
گود اِس کی ہے کُھلی ہوئی ہر ایک کے لیے
۸
بہناپا اس کا دوسری بھاشاؤں سے رہا
اس نے کسی کو غیر نہ سمجھا کسی طرح
ہندوستانی اس کو کہو تم کہ ہندوی
گو مختلف ہیں نام زباں ہے وہ ایک ہی
۹
ہندوستانی اُردو میں جو ڈالتے ہیں فرق
ذہن اُن کا کیا بتاؤں کہ ہے کس بھنور میں غرق
گھیرے میں اس کو جہل و تعصب کے گھیرنا
صدیوں کی کی کرائی پہ پانی ہے پھیرنا
۱۰
اُردو ہی دوستو وطنیت کی جان ہے
یہ یاد رکھو اِس سے اخوّت کی شان ہے
اِس کو ہوا کسی سے نہ ہے رشک اور حسد
بغض اور کینہ سے ہے بہت دور اس کی حد
۱۱
اپنے ہیں اس کے سب نہیں کوئی پرائے ہیں
وسعت ہے دل کی وہ کہ سب اس میں سمائے ہیں
اُردو کو غیریت ہے کسی سے نہ ہے دوئی
اس کی مخالفت پہ کمر باندھے کیوں کوئی
۱۲
ہے اس کو سب سے میل، نہیں ہے کسی سے بیر
افسوس کیوں نہ ہو، اسے کوئی جو سمجھے غیر
بعضوں کو اُس پہ کس لیے اِس درجہ قہر ہے
یہ تو سبھی کو چشمۂ حیواں کی لہر ہے
हमारी ज़बान है – ब्रज मोहम दत्तात्रेया कैफ़ी
१
उर्दू है जिस का नाम हमारी ज़बान है
दुनिया कि हर ज़बान से प्यारी ज़बान है
वो वस्फ़ कौन सा है जो उस में मिला नहीं
सा’इंस इस में या अदब ओ फ़ल्सफ़ा नहीं
२
जमना किनारे जिस की अभी तक है गूंजती
दिल्कश भरन मुरारी कि मुर्ली के राग की
पी पी के दूध लहरौं का उस के पली है ये
पांडौं कि राज्धानी में सियानी हुइ है ये
३
बढ़ कर नहीं है इस से कोई आर्यन ज़बां
लफ़्ज़ौं के मेल को कहो तो वो नहीं कहां
ऐसी ज़बां में वजह शरफ़ की यही है बात
उर्दू को हर ज़बान से है रब्त ओ इल्तफ़ात
४
फ़िर्क़ौं का रब्त, ज़ब्त का है इस से इन्तेज़ाम
क़ौमी यगानगी का है क़ा’एम इसी से नाम
उर्दू बनी है मुस्लिम ओ हिन्दू के मेल से
दोनो ने सर्फ़ इस पे दमाग़ और दिल किये
५
सदियौं से राज-काज चलाए इसी ने हैं
जारी जो ज़ाबेते हैं बनाए इसी ने हैं
क़ौमौं के इत्तेहाद का ये शाहकार है
कल्चर का इस कि ज़ात पे दार ओ मदार है
६
इस से हि मुल्क में वो रवादारियां रहीं
शैख़ और बरहमन में वफ़ादारियां रहीं
तारीख़-ए हिन्द की वो है सरताज आज तक
है इत्तेहाद ओ उन्स कि मे’राज आज तक
७
उर्दू के कारनामे जो हैं यादगार हैं
कीं ख़िद्मतें समाज कि जो बे-शुमार हैं
इस ने किसी ज़बां को निकाला न हिन्द से
गोद इस कि है खुली हुई हर एक के लिये
८
बहनापा इस का दूसरी भाषाऔं से रहा
इस ने किसी को ग़ैर न समझा किसी तरह
हिन्दोस्तानी इस को कहो तुम के हिन्दवी
गो मुख़्तलिफ़ हैं नाम ज़बां है वो एक ही
९
हिन्दोस्तानी उर्दू में जो डालते है फ़र्क़
ज़हन उन का क्या बताऊं के है किस भंवर में ग़र्क़
घेरे में इस को जहल ओ ता’अस्सुब के घेरना
सदियौं कि की-कराई पे पानी है फेरना
१०
उर्दू हि दोस्तो वतनिय्यत कि जान है
ये याद रक्खो इस से उख़ुव्वत कि शान है
उस को हुआ किसी से न है रश्क और हसद
बुग़्ज़ और कीना से है बहुत दूर इस कि हद
११
अपने हैं इस के सब नहीं कोई पराए हैं
वुस’अत है दिल कि वो के सब इस में समाए हैं
उर्दू को ग़ैरियत है किसी से न है दोई
इस की मुख़ालेफ़त पे कमर बांघे क्यूं कोई
१२
है इस को सब से मेल, नहीं है किसी से बैर
अफ़्सोस क्यूं न हो, इसे कोई जो समझे ग़ैर
बा’ज़ौं को उस पे किस लिये इस दर्जा क़हर है
ये तो सभी को चश्मा-ए हैवां कि लहर है
Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. panDit brij mohan dattatreya kaifi (1866-1955) was recognized as a scholar of arabi, faarsi, sanskrit and urdu. He was a great lover of urdu and wrote a history of the evolution of the language. He wrote with much poignancy and nostalgia about communal harmony that existed before the souring of relationships. His books include a comprehensive history of urdu literature, a bookled with a resounding reply to critics of urdu and a masnavi (versified story/history) of urdu. This nazm was composed in 1939.
1
urdu hai jis ka naam hamaari zabaan1 hai
duniya ki har zabaan se pyaari zabaan hai
vo vasf1 kaun sa hai jo us meN mila nahiN
science is meN ya adab3 o falsafaa4 nahiN 1.language 2.quality 3.literature 4.philosophy
That which is called urdu is our language. It is sweeter than any language of the world. What quality is there that cannot be found in it. Does it not have writings in science, literature and philosophy.
2
jamna kinaare jis ki abhi tak hai goonjti
dilkash1 bharan2 muraari3 ki murli4 ke raag ki
pii pii ke doodh lahroN ka us ke pali hai ye
paanDoN5 ki raajdhaani6 meN siyaani7 hui hai ye 1.pleasing 2.blowing, playing 3.another name of krishn 4.flute 5.paanDav of the epic of mahabharat 6.capital 7.wise, mature
She (urdu) grew up nourished by the milk of the waves of the jamna, on the banks of which still echoes the sweet playing of krishn’s flute. She matured in the capital city (dehli) of the kingdom of panDav.
3
baRh kar nahiN hai is se koii aaryan zabaaN
lafzoN1 ke mel ko kaho, to vo nahiN kahaaN
aisi zabaaN meN vajah2 sharaf3 ki yahi hai baat
urdu ko har zabaan se hai rabt4 o iltefaat5 1.words 2.reason 3.nobility, greatness 4.relationship 5.kindness, friendship
There is no aaryan language better than this. If you talk about mixture of words, where can it not be found. The reason for the greatness of this language is that it has relationships with all other languages (it has borrowed words from them).
4
firqauN1 ka rabt2, zabt3 ka hai is se intezaam4
qaumi-yagaanagi5 ka hai qaa’em6 isi se naam
urdu bani hai muslim o hindu ke mel se
donoN ne sarf7 is pe damaaGh aur dil kiye 1.communities 2.relationship 3.tolerance 4.arrangement 5.communal harmony 6.established 7.spent, used
The relations and tolerance between communities is the arrangement of urdu. The reputation of communal harmony is established because of urdu. urdu came into being with the joint effort of muslims and hindus. Both put their minds and hearts into it.
5
sadiyoN1 se raaj-kaaj2 chalaaye isi ne haiN
jaari3 jo zaabete4 haiN banaaye isi ne haiN
qaumoN5 ke ittehaad6 ka ye shaahkaar7 hai
kalchar8 ka is ki zaat9 pe daar-o-madaar10 hai 1.centuries 2.government administration 3.prevalent 4.administrative rules 5.communities 6.cooperation 7.masterpiece 8.culture 9.existence 10.foundation, basis
For centuries it has administered the government. The current administrative rules are written in it. It is the masterpiece of cooperation of communities. Culture (arts and literature) depends on it.
6
is se hi mulk meN vo ravaadaariyaaN1 rahiiN
shaiKh2 aur barhaman3 meN vafaadaariyaaN4 rahiiN
taariiKh5-e hind ki vo hai sartaaj6 aaj tak
hai ittehaad7 o uns8 ki me’raaj9 aaj tak 1.mutual respect 2.used to mean muslims 3.used to mean hindus 4.faith, trust 5.history 6.owner, holder 7.cooperation, agreement 8.familiarity, love 9.climax
Because of urdu there is mutual respect in the country. Hindus and muslims trust each other because of it. To this day, it is the guardian of the history of hindustan. Mutual cooperation and love are at their peak because of urdu.
7
urdu ke kaarnaame1 jo haiN yaadgaar2 haiN
kiiN KhidmateN3 samaaj ki jo be-shumaar4 haiN
is ne kisi zabaaN5 ko nikaala na hind se
god6 is ki hai khuli hui har ek ke liye 1.achievements 2.memorable 3.services 4.numerous 5.language 6.lap, embrace
The achievements of urdu are memorable. It performed services that are too numerous to count. urdu did not displace any language from hindustan. It accepted and enveloped all in its embrace with open arms.
8
bahnaapa1 is ka doosri bhaashaaoN2 se raha
is ne kisi ko Ghair3 na samjha kisi tarah4
hindostaani is ko kaho tum keh hindvi
go5 muKhtalif6 haiN naam zabaaN hai vo ek hi 1.sisterhood 2.languages 3.other, foreign 4.in any way 5.even though 6.different
Her sisterhood with other languages continued. She did not in any way consider any other language foreign. You may call it hindustaani or hindvi. Though names are different, the language is the same.
9
hindostaani urdu meN jo Daalte haiN farq1
zahn2 un ka kya bataauN keh hai kis bhaNwar3 meN Gharq4
ghere meN is ko jahl5 o ta’assub6 ke gherna
sadiyoN7 ki kii-karaaii8 pe paani hai pherna9 1.difference 2.minds 3.whirlpool 4.drown 5.ignorance 6.bigotry, discrimination 7.centuries 8.accomplishments 9.paani pherna is wiping off
The minds of those who create differences between hindustaani and urdu are going on a drain. Circling urdu with ignorance and bigotry is like wiping off centuries worth of accomplishments.
10
urdu hi dosto vatanniyat1 ki jaan2 hai
ye yaad rakkhe is se uKhuvvat3 ki shaan4 hai
us ko hua kisi se na hai rashk5 aur hasad6
buGhz7 aur kiina8 se hai bahut duur is ki had9 1.nationalism 2.life 3.brotherhood 4.glory 5.jealousy 6.envy 7.rivalry 8.hatred 9.boundaries
Friends, urdu is the only life-blood of national unity. Remember that it is the crowning glory of brotherhood (between communities). She has never entertained jealousy or envy towards other languages. Rivalry and hatred are far beyond its boundaries.
11
apne haiN is ke sab, nahiN koii paraaye haiN
vus’at1 hai dil ki vo keh sub is meN samaaye2 haiN
urdu ko Ghairiyat3 hai kisi se na hai do’ii4
is ki muKhaalefat5 meN kamar baandhe6 kyuN koii 1.expanse 2.included, covered 3.otherness 4.duplication 5.opposition 6.determined
She embraces every language/community, excludes none. Its heart is so vast that everyone finds room in it. urdu has no ‘otherness’ with anyone nor does it want to displace by duplication. Why sould anyone be determined to oppose it.
12
hai is ko sub se mael, nahiN hai kisi se bair1
afsos2 kyuN na ho, ise koii jo samjhe Ghair3
baazoN4 ko us pe kis liye is darja5 qahr6 hai
ye to sabhi ko chashma-e-haivaaN7 ki lahr hai 1.rivalry 2.sorrow 3.foreign 4.some, a few 5.so much 6.anger 7.source of nectar of life
urdu wants to be friends with all, has no ill will towards any. Why should we not be sorrowful if someone calls her foreign. Why do a few have so much hatred towards her when she is a life-giving nectar for all.
panDit brij mohan dattatreya kaifi (1866-1955) was recognized as a scholar of arabi, faarsi, sanskrit and urdu. He was a great lover of urdu and wrote a history of the evolution of the language. He wrote with much poignancy and nostalgia about communal harmony that existed before the souring of relationships. His books include a comprehensive history of urdu literature, a bookled with a resounding reply to critics of urdu and a masnavi (versified story/history) of urdu. This nazm was composed in 1939.
1
urdu hai jis ka naam hamaari zabaan1 hai
duniya ki har zabaan se pyaari zabaan hai
vo vasf1 kaun sa hai jo us meN mila nahiN
science is meN ya adab3 o falsafaa4 nahiN
1.language 2.quality 3.literature 4.philosophy
That which is called urdu is our language. It is sweeter than any language of the world. What quality is there that cannot be found in it. Does it not have writings in science, literature and philosophy.
2
jamna kinaare jis ki abhi tak hai goonjti
dilkash1 bharan2 muraari3 ki murli4 ke raag ki
pii pii ke doodh lahroN ka us ke pali hai ye
paanDoN5 ki raajdhaani6 meN siyaani7 hui hai ye
1.pleasing 2.blowing, playing 3.another name of krishn 4.flute 5.paanDav of the epic of mahabharat 6.capital 7.wise, mature
She (urdu) grew up nourished by the milk of the waves of the jamna, on the banks of which still echoes the sweet playing of krishn’s flute. She matured in the capital city (dehli) of the kingdom of panDav.
3
baRh kar nahiN hai is se koii aaryan zabaaN
lafzoN1 ke mel ko kaho, to vo nahiN kahaaN
aisi zabaaN meN vajah2 sharaf3 ki yahi hai baat
urdu ko har zabaan se hai rabt4 o iltefaat5
1.words 2.reason 3.nobility, greatness 4.relationship 5.kindness, friendship
There is no aaryan language better than this. If you talk about mixture of words, where can it not be found. The reason for the greatness of this language is that it has relationships with all other languages (it has borrowed words from them).
4
firqauN1 ka rabt2, zabt3 ka hai is se intezaam4
qaumi-yagaanagi5 ka hai qaa’em6 isi se naam
urdu bani hai muslim o hindu ke mel se
donoN ne sarf7 is pe damaaGh aur dil kiye
1.communities 2.relationship 3.tolerance 4.arrangement 5.communal harmony 6.established 7.spent, used
The relations and tolerance between communities is the arrangement of urdu. The reputation of communal harmony is established because of urdu. urdu came into being with the joint effort of muslims and hindus. Both put their minds and hearts into it.
5
sadiyoN1 se raaj-kaaj2 chalaaye isi ne haiN
jaari3 jo zaabete4 haiN banaaye isi ne haiN
qaumoN5 ke ittehaad6 ka ye shaahkaar7 hai
kalchar8 ka is ki zaat9 pe daar-o-madaar10 hai
1.centuries 2.government administration 3.prevalent 4.administrative rules 5.communities 6.cooperation 7.masterpiece 8.culture 9.existence 10.foundation, basis
For centuries it has administered the government. The current administrative rules are written in it. It is the masterpiece of cooperation of communities. Culture (arts and literature) depends on it.
6
is se hi mulk meN vo ravaadaariyaaN1 rahiiN
shaiKh2 aur barhaman3 meN vafaadaariyaaN4 rahiiN
taariiKh5-e hind ki vo hai sartaaj6 aaj tak
hai ittehaad7 o uns8 ki me’raaj9 aaj tak
1.mutual respect 2.used to mean muslims 3.used to mean hindus 4.faith, trust 5.history 6.owner, holder 7.cooperation, agreement 8.familiarity, love 9.climax
Because of urdu there is mutual respect in the country. Hindus and muslims trust each other because of it. To this day, it is the guardian of the history of hindustan. Mutual cooperation and love are at their peak because of urdu.
7
urdu ke kaarnaame1 jo haiN yaadgaar2 haiN
kiiN KhidmateN3 samaaj ki jo be-shumaar4 haiN
is ne kisi zabaaN5 ko nikaala na hind se
god6 is ki hai khuli hui har ek ke liye
1.achievements 2.memorable 3.services 4.numerous 5.language 6.lap, embrace
The achievements of urdu are memorable. It performed services that are too numerous to count. urdu did not displace any language from hindustan. It accepted and enveloped all in its embrace with open arms.
8
bahnaapa1 is ka doosri bhaashaaoN2 se raha
is ne kisi ko Ghair3 na samjha kisi tarah4
hindostaani is ko kaho tum keh hindvi
go5 muKhtalif6 haiN naam zabaaN hai vo ek hi
1.sisterhood 2.languages 3.other, foreign 4.in any way 5.even though 6.different
Her sisterhood with other languages continued. She did not in any way consider any other language foreign. You may call it hindustaani or hindvi. Though names are different, the language is the same.
9
hindostaani urdu meN jo Daalte haiN farq1
zahn2 un ka kya bataauN keh hai kis bhaNwar3 meN Gharq4
ghere meN is ko jahl5 o ta’assub6 ke gherna
sadiyoN7 ki kii-karaaii8 pe paani hai pherna9
1.difference 2.minds 3.whirlpool 4.drown 5.ignorance 6.bigotry, discrimination 7.centuries 8.accomplishments 9.paani pherna is wiping off
The minds of those who create differences between hindustaani and urdu are going on a drain. Circling urdu with ignorance and bigotry is like wiping off centuries worth of accomplishments.
10
urdu hi dosto vatanniyat1 ki jaan2 hai
ye yaad rakkhe is se uKhuvvat3 ki shaan4 hai
us ko hua kisi se na hai rashk5 aur hasad6
buGhz7 aur kiina8 se hai bahut duur is ki had9
1.nationalism 2.life 3.brotherhood 4.glory 5.jealousy 6.envy 7.rivalry 8.hatred 9.boundaries
Friends, urdu is the only life-blood of national unity. Remember that it is the crowning glory of brotherhood (between communities). She has never entertained jealousy or envy towards other languages. Rivalry and hatred are far beyond its boundaries.
11
apne haiN is ke sab, nahiN koii paraaye haiN
vus’at1 hai dil ki vo keh sub is meN samaaye2 haiN
urdu ko Ghairiyat3 hai kisi se na hai do’ii4
is ki muKhaalefat5 meN kamar baandhe6 kyuN koii
1.expanse 2.included, covered 3.otherness 4.duplication 5.opposition 6.determined
She embraces every language/community, excludes none. Its heart is so vast that everyone finds room in it. urdu has no ‘otherness’ with anyone nor does it want to displace by duplication. Why sould anyone be determined to oppose it.
12
hai is ko sub se mael, nahiN hai kisi se bair1
afsos2 kyuN na ho, ise koii jo samjhe Ghair3
baazoN4 ko us pe kis liye is darja5 qahr6 hai
ye to sabhi ko chashma-e-haivaaN7 ki lahr hai
1.rivalry 2.sorrow 3.foreign 4.some, a few 5.so much 6.anger 7.source of nectar of life
urdu wants to be friends with all, has no ill will towards any. Why should we not be sorrowful if someone calls her foreign. Why do a few have so much hatred towards her when she is a life-giving nectar for all.
