Prof. Nazir Ahmad (1915-2008)

Professor Nazir Ahmad, renowned academic and author of various books in Urdu, Persian and English, breathed his last in Aligarh on October 19.

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June 23, 2022

Professor Nazir Ahmad, renowned academic and author of various books in Urdu, Persian and English, breathed his last in Aligarh on October 19.

Born on January 3, 1915 in a small village Kalahi Gharib (Gharrah), Gonda (UP) India, Nazir Ahmad completed his middle school examination in 1930 and moved to Gonda and later to other places for higher education. He did his M.A. in Persian in 1940, Ph.D. work on Zahoori (Tarshezi) in 1945, D. Lit. on the Persian poets of Aadil-Shah period in 1950, and another D. Lit. (Urdu) on Nauras by Adil Shah in 1956  from Lucknow University. He joined University of Tehran (Iran) and completed his diploma in ‘Farsi Baastan-e-Pahlawi and Modern Persian’.

Nazir Ahmad rendered his services as Urdu and Persian teacher in Deoria, and later in Basti, then as Lecturer in University of Lucknow. Then he was appointed Assistant Director of Aligarh-Taareekh-e-Urdu Adab in Aligarh Muslim University and later, in August 1958, he was appointed Reader in Department of Persian in AMU. In 1960 Dr. Ahmad was appointed Professor and Chairman of Department of Persian. In 1969, he was appointed Dean Faculty of Arts. In 1977 he was retired from his University services but was appointed as Professor Emeritus in the Department of Persian.

In 1960 when the quarterly journal Fikro-Nazar was started, he was appointed its Founding Secretary and Prof. Yusuf Hussain Khan was appointed Founding Editor. Nazir Ahmad was a trusted person for Prof. Yusuf Hussain Khan and Fikro Nazar gave an opportunity to Nazir Ahmad to flourish. Within six years of Fikro-Nazar’s start, it became a reputed journal and many of its articles got translated into different languages.

Even after retirement from his active services, his passion and commitment for his research work did not diminish. He delivered numerous extension lectures, attended and chaired national and international seminars and conferences. In 1976, Ghalib Institute of New Delhi awarded him Ghalib Award. In 1977 he received President of India Award and fellowship for his lifetime. In 1987, Government of India conferred Padma Shri on Prof. Nazir Ahmad. In 1987, Khusro Academy of USA awarded him Khusro Award. Year 1988 was declared as “Year of Hafiz” by UNESCO. Prof. Nazir Ahmad edited and published two oldest manuscript of “Hafiz”. Iranian Cultural Council of India acknowledged this work and conferred a title of “Hafiz Sanaash” on Prof. Nazir Ahmad. In 1989, Government of Iran conferred “Jaizah Afshar” on him and later in 1990; University of Tehran, Iran conferred Honorary D.Lit. on this Non-Iranian scholar of Iranian culture for his understanding and knowledge of Iranian culture and civilization.

Prof. Nazir Ahmad authored several books including, Zahoori – Life & Work (English), Tahqeeqi Maqaley (Urdu), Nauras (Urdu), Nauras (English), Makaateeb Sanashi (Persian), Tareekh aur Adabi Mutaaley (Urdu), Deewan-e-Hafiz (Persian), Farhang Qawaas (Persian), Dasturul Afzal (Persian), Kitabus Sidna (Persian), Deewan Saraji (Persian), Taarekh aur Ilmi Maqalat, Naqd Qatey Burhan (Urdu),  Deewan Ameed Lawaiki (Persian),  Zafaan Goya (Persina), Fazala-e-Balakh (Urdu), Ghalib per Chand Maqaley (Urdu),  Farsi Qaseedah Nigari (Urdu),

His academic excellence was dully recognised and he served in different academic committees and editorial board of national and international repute including the editorial board of Ma-arif, monthly journal of Darul Musannefin Shibli Academy Azamgarh.

He was buried in University graveyard.