Syed Mohiuddin Qadri, 'Zore'- MA, PhD.

April 10, 2011 - PRLog -- Syed Mohiuddin Qadri Zore, Dec 1905- Sept 1962.  He lived for 56 years and authored 61 books. A poet, a leading Urdu writer, a prominent scholar, and a social reformer, But above all, he rejuvenated 'Urdu' language & literature in British Indian Subcontinent.  He was one of the pioneers of Urdu literature whose work today is a basic part of the educational curriculum in India. Most of the renowned libraries of the world are glorified with his books in the section of Urdu Literature.

Early Education:

He was born in Hyderabad in 1905 and educated at Madrasa-e- Darool Uloom, City School and Usmania College. He did his post graduation and earned M.A in Linguistic sciences in 1927 with profound distinction.

Career:
The ruler of Hyderabad sent him to England on a fellowship in 1929, where he obtained his Ph.D. degree in Linguistic sciences.  In 1930, he went to Paris and attended a course in Linguistics. Upon his return from Europe, he was appointed in the Urdu department of Usmania University. He also carried out responsibilities as Head, Department of Urdu, and Dean of the Faculty, Kashmir University.

Dr. Zore contributed substantially to Deccan’s culture and language. He had a intense respect for Deccan. He made utmost measures and endeavors to preserve its traditions and trait, and give the place a sense of pride. He supported and led continued efforts to maintain Urdu as the official language of the Hyderabad State and as the medium of instruction in the Usmania University even after the sub-continent dissolution into Pakistan and India.

Scholarly work:

Dr. Zore’s literary interests had a very broad spectrum . He as a writer made momentous donation to the development of Urdu short stories. At the age of 23, his first short story “Tillism-e-khayal” ‘Magic of the thought’ introduced a charismatic angle of an interest, lesson, and yet the great quality literature he was doing his M.A at that time.

All the stories included Sayr-e-Golkonda and Golkanda ke heerey ‘Diamonds of Golkunda’ and were written against the backdrop of Golkonda’s past history. Golkonda is located 11 km west of the city of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh state, India. In the 16th century, Golkonda was the capital and fortress city of the Qutb Shahi kingdom, near Hyderabad. The city was home to one of the most powerful Muslim sultanates in the region and was the center of a flourishing diamond trade. Here, the purpose was to revive memories of the good old traditions.

Dr. Zore’s primary interest had been research all along in the history of India, Hyderabad, treasures and kings.  In his adolescence Zore wrote poetry as a social reformer, and later during his stay in Kashmir, his poetic contribution reflected more of a human connection with nature and its dynamics.

His books, Urdu shahparey (1929), Hubbey tarang (1933), Gulzar-e-Ibrahim (1934), Ahde Usmani mein Urdu ki taraqi (1934) and Dakkani adab ki tarikh are the result of his research. In addition, Kulliyate Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah (1940), Hayat-e-Mir Muhammad Momin (1941), Dastane-adab Hyderabad (1951), Tazkira makhtutat Urdu. Vols. II and III (1951 and 1957), Talib-o-mohni (1957), Maani sukhan (1958), are notable contributions among his works as well. In fact, the research undertaken by Zore left a great impact on the course of Urdu literature.

Zore’s Rooh-e-tanqueed, Vols. I and II (1927) had a primacy among the critical works through which Urdu readers became acquainted with Western principles of criticism. His scholastic dimension of mind took him close to the school of scientific criticism. His critical attitudes can be gauged from Rooh-e-Ghalib (1939).

Zore was the first linguist in Urdu. His commendable work, Hindustani lisaniat (1932), ‘the languages of India’, throws light on the interesting aspects of the evolution of the Indo-European group of languages. In the second part of the book we find a comparative study Gujarati, Dakkani, and Hindi. His English composition, Hindustani Phonetics, is a significant work on linguistics.

Institutional Work:

Zore combined in himself the qualities of a poet, a litterateur and a linguist. These qualities were at work in his establishment of Idara Adabiet-e-Urdu and Abdul Kalam Azad Oriental Research Institute.
His efforts were also evident in the construction of a graceful building at Hydrabad that houses ‘Aiwan-e-Urdu’ a house of Urdu. Moreover, there has been a Urdu Journal, every month published with the name Sabras distributed in Hyderabad Delhi Lahore Pakistan.
His patronage of Urdu led to its widespread use amongst Indian Muslim communities and following the Independence of Pakistan and India from British rule in 1947.  Its adoption as the official language of Pakistan.

Life and Legacy:
He was married to Tahniath Unnisa begum, who herself was the first female Sahiba -e- Dewaan Naatgo Urdu poetess. Her three books are published the famous one is “Sabro Shukar” She was the daughter of Nawab Raffat Yaar Jang. Dr. Zore had nine children with her. Four daughters and five sons. Among his children, his daughter, Tahzeeb Unnisa Zore, followed his pathway, she was the outstanding poetess, and did Masters in Linguistic sciences from Usmania University. She brought his torch of Urdu literacy to Pakistan and spent her life in a teaching profession. She was a leading proponent of the education of women in Pakistan. After Tahzeeb’s demise in 1999, the flare of Dr. Zore’s Legendary torch is now in the hands of his grand-daughter, Tanveer Zamani, who is residing in Boston , USA and working at Harvard University hospital as a physician. She is PhD in International politics as well.  It seems as if Dr. Zore is cloned into her and will re-live through her.


References
The Encyclopaedia Of Indian Literature (Volume Five (Sasay To Zorgot) – Mohan Lal - 2006 - Literary Collections - 820 pages
A history of urdu literature
Syed Mohiuddin Qadri Zore, 271. Kalimuddin Ahmed. Chapter XXII New Wave in Poetry.
Translations from other languages
The only pre-Independence work is "Hindustani Phonetics" by Syed Mohiuddin Qadri "Zore
Encyclopedic Dictionary of Urdu Literature - Google Books Result
Abida Samiuddin - 2008 - Literary Collections - 634 pages
Zore, Syed Mohiuddin Qadri (1904-1963)
Deccan heritage - Google Books Result
Dorairajan Balasubramanian - 2000 - History - 249 pages
Zore Syed Mohiuddin Qadri (1929). Urdu Shah Pare.

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