Classical · 1756–1817 · Murshidabad – Lucknow
Insha Allah Khan, who wrote under the name Insha, was a poet, linguist and wit associated with the courts of Delhi and Lucknow. Famed for his playful experiments with language — including a story written without a single dotted letter — he ranged across ghazal, satire and prose with rare versatility.
kamar baandhe hue chalne ko yaan sab yaar baithe hain
bahut aage gaye baaqi jo hain taiyaar baithe hain
ye aarzoo thi tujhe gul ke roo-ba-roo karte
hum aur bulbul-e-betaab guftugu karte
insha ji utho ab kooch karo is shahr mein ji ko lagaana kya
wahshi ko sukoon se kya matlab jogi ka nagar mein thikaana kya
saudaa-e-ishq mein hum ne kya kya na sahe sadme
phir bhi dil-e-naadaan ko aaraam nahin aaya
dil mil gaye hain is tarah ek doosre ke saath
ab hum juda ho bhi to ye dil juda nahin
roz ye baat sunaa karte hain log
dil lagaana koi aasaan nahin
nahin hai aaj jo qadr-e-sukhan to kuchh gham nahin
suna hai aate hain din yaad-e-rafta-gaan ke baad
junoon mein hum ne aksar daaman-e-sehra ko chaak kiya
gareebaan-e-dil-e-mahzoon ko bhi paamaal kar baithe