Momin Khan Momin

Momin Khan Momin, a great Urdu Poet of 19th century, was born in respectable Delhi family of physicians in the year 1801. He used "Momin" as his takhallus. It is the Urdu of 'nom de plume'. His elementary and higher educations were completed in various Madarsa in Delhi where he studied Arabic and Persian. Momin Khan Momin was gifted with a multifaceted personality. Not amny people know that Momin Khan was also called "Hakeem Momin Khan" because he was a physician. It should be noted that 'Hakeem' is an Urdu word for physician.

Apart from being a renowned physician, Momin Khan Momin was also well versed in music, astronomy and astrology. It is also mentioned in some of the contemporary documents that Momin Khan Momin was an outstanding chess player.

When we analyze Momin' s poetry, it comes as a welcome relief that unlike most of the composition of that era they are free of allusions to mystical love and philosophical thoughts. It is steeped in praise of love and beauty. Momin is known for his particular Persian-lashed style and the beautiful use of his takhallus (nom de plume). He used Persian words without making his work cumbersome and difficult to understand.

A contemporary of Mirza Ghalib and Zauq, Momin Khan Momin was successful in creating his own niche. His rivalry with Mirza Ghalib is much celebrated and talked about. There is a famous exchange between the two stalwart where Mirza Ghalib supposedly said he would exchange his entire 'Dewan' (collection) for one of Momin' s Shayeri.