Insha Allah Khan Insha

Quick Facts

• Full Name: Insha Allah Khan
• Pen Name: Insha
• Born: 1756; Murshidabad, Bengal, Mughal India
• Died: 1817; Lucknow, India
• Profession: Poet, Writer, Linguist
• Languages Known: Urdu, Persian, Arabic, Turkish
• Notable Works: Darya-i-Latafat, Rani Ketki ki Kahani, Diwan of Insha
• Known For: Playful and experimental style, contributions to linguistics, versatility in prose and poetry

Biography

Insha Allah Khan ‘Insha’ was one of the most remarkable figures of late 18th and early 19th century Urdu literature. A poet, linguist, and prose stylist, he was known for his wit, creativity, and the courage to experiment with form and language at a time when literary traditions were firmly set.

He was born in Murshidabad in 1756 and later moved to Delhi, where he became associated with the literary circles of the Mughal court. He was a student of the great poet Mirza Rafi Sauda and soon earned fame for his sharpness and originality. Later, he settled in Lucknow, a city that had become a major center of Urdu poetry and culture.

Insha’s poetry was marked by humor, satire, and playfulness. He enjoyed bending conventions, experimenting with meters, and infusing poetry with freshness. His ghazals and nazms stood out for their originality, often breaking away from the heavy formality of his era.

But his talents went beyond poetry. Insha was also a skilled linguist and is credited with writing Darya-i-Latafat, one of the earliest works on Urdu linguistics, which explored grammar, pronunciation, and regional differences in the language. He also wrote Rani Ketki ki Kahani, a prose tale considered the first complete short story in Urdu, notable for being written entirely without any words of Persian or Arabic origin. This experiment highlighted the richness of native vocabulary and proved the flexibility of Urdu as a language.

Insha was also known for his playful personality. He could be sharp in satire, often poking fun at societal norms or literary rivals. This made him both admired and controversial, but it also set him apart as a poet unafraid of taking risks.

He passed away in 1817 in Lucknow, but his legacy remains influential. As both a poet and a linguist, he expanded the boundaries of Urdu literature, making space for humor, experimentation, and fresh ways of expression.

Insha Allah Khan ‘Insha’ is remembered as a poet who refused to be confined by rules. His wit, linguistic brilliance, and innovative spirit make him one of the most versatile voices of classical Urdu.