''Mirat-ul-Uroos'' (
Urdu
Urdu (;["Urdu"](_blank)
'' Nazir Ahmad Dehlvi
Maulvi Nazir Ahmad Dehlvi, also known as Deputy Nazir Ahmad, was an Urdu novel writer, social and religious reformer, and orator.
Even if today’s he’s best known for his novels, he wrote over 30 books on subjects such as law, logic, ethics ...
(1830–1912) and published in 1869.
The novel contains themes promoting the cause of female education in Muslim and Indian society, and is credited for giving birth to an entire genre of fictional works promoting female literacy in
Urdu
Urdu (;["Urdu"](_blank)
'' Hindi
Hindi ( Devanāgarī: or , ), or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi (Devanagari: ), is an Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in the Hindi Belt region encompassing parts of northern, central, eastern, and western India. Hindi has been ...
,
Punjabi,
Kashmiri Kashmiri may refer to:
* People or things related to the Kashmir Valley or the broader region of Kashmir
* Kashmiris, an ethnic group native to the Kashmir Valley
* Kashmiri language, their language
People with the name
* Kashmiri Saikia Baruah ...
and other languages of the
Indian subcontinent
The Indian subcontinent is a list of the physiographic regions of the world, physiographical region in United Nations geoscheme for Asia#Southern Asia, Southern Asia. It is situated on the Indian Plate, projecting southwards into the Indian O ...
.
The book sold over 100,000 copies within a few years of its initial publishing.
Plot
The story contrasts the lives of two Muslim sisters from Delhi, Akbari and Asghari. The first part of the book describes the life of Akbari, who is raised in privilege. She is depicted as lazy and poorly educated. When she moves to her husband's house after her marriage, she has a very difficult time and brings all manner of unhappiness upon herself by her poor judgment and behavior. The book's second part is centered on Asghari, who is modest, hardworking and educated well in a school. She despises idle chatter and is the beloved of all in her society. When she is married, she too undergoes a difficult transition, but through her hard-work, winsome manners and good education is able to form solid bonds with her husband's family and the people of her new society.
The story goes through a number of twists and turns that describes the experiences of the two women at various stages in their lives.
Sequel
In 1873, "''Banat-un-Nash''" (بنات النعش, ''Daughters of the bier'', which is also the
Arabic
Arabic (, ' ; , ' or ) is a Semitic language spoken primarily across the Arab world.Semitic languages: an international handbook / edited by Stefan Weninger; in collaboration with Geoffrey Khan, Michael P. Streck, Janet C. E.Watson; Walter ...
name for the constellation
Ursa Major
Ursa Major (; also known as the Great Bear) is a constellation in the northern sky, whose associated mythology likely dates back into prehistory. Its Latin name means "greater (or larger) bear," referring to and contrasting it with nearby Ursa ...
) was published as a sequel to Mirat-ul-Uroos. It depicted Asghari running a girls' school in her ''mohalla''.
TV drama adaptations
Mirat-ul-Uroos was also adapted for television by PTV
Pakistan Television Corporation
Pakistan Television Corporation ( ur, ; reporting name: PTV) is the Pakistani state-owned broadcaster. Pakistan entered the television broadcasting age in 1964, with a pilot television station established at Lahore.
Background
Historical co ...
under the same name. The role of "Akbari" was played by Irsa Ghazal and "Asghari" was played by
Arifa Siddiqui.
In 2011, this story was once again adapted into a comedy television drama, by the name of
Akbari Asghari, which aired on Hum TV. The role of Akbari was played by
Sanam Baloch
Sanam Baloch Hisbani or Jatoi ( ur, , ) (born 14 July 1986) credited as Sanam Baloch is a Pakistani actress and television presenter. She has hosted various television shows such as; ''Sanam Small Room'' on KTN and the morning show on Samaa TV ...
and Asghari was played by
Humaima Malik.
Imran Abbas Naqvi
Syed Imran Abbas Naqvi (born 15 October 1982), professionally known by his stage name Imran Abbas, is a Pakistani actor and model who works predominantly in Urdu television. Abbas made his acting debut with '' Umrao Jaan Ada'' in 2003 and la ...
and
Fawad Afzal Khan played the male leads.
In 2013, the story of
Akbari and Asghari continued with
Mirat Ul Uroos, a
Geo TV
Geo Television Network is a television channel based in Pakistan. It was established in May 2002 and is owned by the Jang Media Group. The channel began its test transmission on 14 August 2002, with regular transmission beginning on 1 October 2 ...
drama. This serial is about the granddaughters of Akbari, played by
Aamina Sheikh
Aamina Sheikh ( ur, ) is an American-Pakistani actress, songwriter and former fashion model. Sheikh has received critical appreciation for her work in the Urdu television series and art films, and is the recipient of four Lux Style Award from nin ...
and
Mehwish Hayat
Mehwish Hayat (born 6 January 1988) is an Pakistani actress who primarily works in Urdu films and former television. She made her debut in film with comedy ''Jawani Phir Nahi Ani'' (2015) and later went on to '' Actor in Law'' (2016). Hayat i ...
, and the grandsons of Asghari, played by
Mikaal Zulfiqar
Mian Mikaal Patras Zulfiqar (born 5 September 1981), commonly known as Mikaal Zulfiqar ( ur, ), is a British-Pakistani actor and former model. He has appeared in a number of Pakistani television series. He has also acted in a few Indian films ...
and
Ahsan Khan
Ahsan Khan ( ur, احسن خان; born 1981) is a Pakistani actor, producer and TV host.
He began acting in 1998. He appeared in the films ''Nikah'', '' Billi'', '' Ghar Kab Aao Gay'', ''Sultanat'', ''Ishq Khuda'', ''Dil Mera Dhadkan Teri' ...
who were later married in reality.
See also
*
Deputy Nazir Ahmad Dehlvi
References
{{reflist
External links
Complete online text of Mirat ul-Uroos
19th-century Indian novels
1869 novels
Urdu-language novels
Novels set in Delhi