Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib (1797-1869) was an Indian poet of Central Asian descent. He was popularly known by the pen names Ghalib and Asad. His honorific was Dabir-ul-Mulk, Najm-ud-Daula. During his lifetime, the already declining Mughal Empire was eclipsed and displaced by the British East India Company rule and finally deposed following the defeat of the Indian Rebellion of 1857; these are described through his work.

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Mirza Ghalib, Indian poet

Ghalib was born in Agra, India, to a family of Persian scholars and bureaucrats. He began writing poetry at a young age, and his first collection of poems, Divan-e-Ghalib, was published in 1822. He went on to write over 10,000 ghazals, as well as nazms, or free-verse poems.

Ghalib's poetry is known for its lyrical beauty, its use of complex wordplay, and its focus on themes of love, loss, and the human condition. He is considered one of the greatest Urdu poets of all time, and his work has been translated into many languages.

Ghalib was a complex and contradictory figure. He was a master of the Persian language, but he also wrote in Urdu. He was a Mughal courtier, but he was also a critic of the Mughal Empire. He was a devout Muslim, but he was also fascinated by Western culture.

Ghalib's poetry reflects his complex personality. It is both beautiful and challenging, both traditional and modern. It is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the human experience in all its richness and complexity.

Ghalib died in Delhi, India, in 1869. He was 72 years old. His tomb is a popular tourist destination, and his poetry continues to be read and admired by people all over the world.

Here are some of his most famous works:

• Ghazals: "Subh-e-Azal Se Mere Dil Mein Tera Nazra Tha", "Kai Musalmaan Hain Magar Islam Nahin Hai Un Mein", "Yaad-e-Khuda Se Dil Ka Jo Haal Hai"
• Nazms: "Ghazal Kya Hai", "Shauq-e-Shayari", "Dil-e-Nadaan Tujhe Yeh Kya Hua"