Classical · 1789–1854 · Delhi – Delhi
Sheikh Muhammad Ibrahim Zauq was the poet laureate of the Mughal court at Delhi and the ustad (tutor) of the last emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar. A celebrated rival of Ghalib in his day, his polished ghazals and qasidas exemplified the classical Delhi style.
ab to ghabra ke ye kehte hain ke mar jaayenge
mar ke bhi chain na paaya to kidhar jaayenge
laai hayaat aaye qaza le chali chale
apni khushi na aaye na apni khushi chale
rahta sukhan se naam qayaamat talak hai zauq
aulaad se to hai yahi do din char din
kya kya fareb dil ko diye iztiraab mein
shaayad ye jaanta tha ke tu aane waala hai
duniya ne kis ka raah-e-fanaa mein diya hai saath
tum bhi chale chalo yunhi jab tak chali chale
ae zauq takalluf mein hai takleef saraasar
aaraam mein hai khidmat-e-aaqaa na karo tum
zauq jo madrase ke bigde hue hain mulla
unko maikhaane mein le aao sanwar jaayenge
baith jaata hoon jahaan chhaaon ghani hoti hai
haaye kya cheez ghareeb-ul-watani hoti hai