Department of Urdu

About the Department

Dept. data last updated on :09/12/2023

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Centre of Advanced Study    

Department of Urdu


The Department of Urdu, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, is recognized as one the most prestigious and pioneering departments of Urdu in sub-continent. This department was established soon after Mohammedan Anglo-Oriented College was accorded the status of the University in December 1921. The performance of the department may simply be judged by fact that it has produced so many world renowned scholars. Poets and fiction writers, among them three have been honoured by the Indian most prestigious Jnanpith award they are Ali Sardar Jafri, Qurratul Ain Haider and Shaharyar. The teachers of this department were also honoured with Padma Bhushan and Padama Shree they were Prof. Ale Ahmad Suroor and Prof. Qazi Abdul Sattar respectively. The Jnanpith awardee Prof. Shaharyar was also the teacher and Head of this department.

            Among the national and international awardees, associated presently with the department, Prof. Zafar Ahmad Siddiqui received Naqoosh Inter-national Award (Lahore, Pakistan) Prof. Abul Kalam Qasmi received Sahitya Academy National Award, Prof. Qazi Afzal Husain Ghalib Award, Prof. Qazi Afzal Hsuain was  given National Ghalib Award, Prof. Mohammad Saghir Beg Afraheim have been given UP Urdu Academy’s prestigious award National Integration Award. Prof. Mohammad Tariq Chhatari was also honoured by Lamhi Samman as awell as Life Time Achievement Award for fiction by UP Urdu Academy. Beside this there are so many other teachers of the Department who are honoured by various awards from different institution and academies on their research work and publications.

            A part from that, a great number of awardees as well as scholars, thinkers, writers, poets, IAS and IPS officials, film producers and directors and teachers of Urdu in different national universities in a way or other have been educated in this department like Rasheed Ahmad Siddiqui, Saadat Hasan Manto, Ali Sardar Jafri, Ale Ahmad Suroor, Khursheedul Islam, Moin Ahsan Jazbi, Majruh Sultanpuri, Akhtarul Iman, Majaz Lucknawi, Shahryar, Syed Mohammad Ashraf and Syed Mohammad Afzal etc.

The research work done and research theses written in this department covers almost every sphere of Urdu prose, poetry and creative writings. Most of which have already been published in the form of books. At present the faculty members of this department are actively engaged in the academic and research activities and the scholars of this department represent University in all most all major National and International congregation of Literary Scholars.

            In recognition of the academic achievements of the Department of Urdu, the University Grants Commission accorded the status of the Department of Special Assistance (D.S.A) to this department in 1992. Urdu literature after 1921 onwards and the comparative literature have been selected as the areas of specialization under D.S.A Programme.

            The three phases of the D.S.A Programme was successfully completed. Which detailed report has already been submitted over it was admitted by the UGC. As a result the UGC has granted the status of Centre of Advanced Study (CAS-I) to the department of Urdu, vide letter D.No.F.6-4.2011(SAP-III) dated 11 June, 2011. The successful completion of the third phase deserves mention as the following academic activities were conducted under this programme.

         The two phases of SWAYAM Online Urdu Refresher Course was successfully completed.

      Presently, the Department of Urdu has been awarded the Centre of Advanced Study (Phase – II) for the periods of 01.04.2018 to 31.03.2023.


 The Department runs following academic Programmes:

  • BA

  • MA

  • PG Diploma in Mass Communication

  • Post MA Diploma in Urdu Translation

  • Ph.D (Urdu)

  • Diploma in Urdu Proficiency Language

  • Diploma in Urdu Electronic Media

  • Certificate in Urdu Proficiency Language

  • Certificate in Urdu Electronic Media



Vision:

    • To make the Urdu Language and Literature more popular among the masses and find out the ways and means for the development of  interest among students and researchers to adopt Urdu as a fascinating subjects of study in the country and aboard.


Mission:

Ø We are making efforts to make Urdu language more JOB oriented by introducing new courses in the field of journalism Mass  Communications and other relevant areas.

Ø To impart quality education to Under Graduate and Post Graduate  students in Urdu Languages and Literature.

Ø Provide opportunity to undertake researchers on various aspects of Urdu Prose and Poetry including recent production in literary and cultural fields.

Ø Develop interest of foreign students to join our Department to learn Urdu language and literature as well as Indian culture through our UG and PG courses and research.


Future Plans of the Department


Ø Establishment Special Chair for Sir Syed Studies.

Ø Introduce new course in MA in Urdu Translation.

Ø Introduce new course in MA in Mass Communication (Urdu).

Ø Compilation of Cultural Dictionary (Urdu to Urdu).

Ø Establishment of Auditorium / Cultural Hall.