Mustafa Zaidi (1930-1970) is remembered as one of the few great progressive Urdu poets of the twentieth century. His vast work and literary accomplishments remain popular and relevant today. He was born on 16 October 1930 in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh (UP), India to Syed Lakhte Hasnain and Binte Haider.

Mustafa Zaidi received his early religious education at home from a Maulvi Saheb, and also at a local Madrassa in Allahabad. From 1936 to 1945, he attended the Modern High School in Allahabad, where he passed his High School examination in 1945 with second division and a distinction in Urdu. He was the Secretary of the Urdu Literary Society (Bazm-e-Urdu). He then attended the Ewing Christian College, Allahabad and passed the Intermediate exam of the Board of High School and Intermediate Education, UP, in the first division in 1948. In 1950, he was awarded a first class Bachelor of Arts degree holding the 6th position from the University of Allahabad. and completed his Master's degree in English Literature in 1953 from Government College, Lahore

Mustafa Zaidi took up a job as professor in Islamia College, Karachi and Peshawar University.Mustafa Zaidi's first book of nazms "Zangeerein/Roshni" (Chains/Light) was published in Allahabad, India in 1949, under the pseudonym "Tegh Allahabadi" (Sword of Allahabad), when he was just nineteen. Zangeerein was endorsed by two legendary Urdu poets Josh Malihabadi and Firaq Gorakhpuri, who became mentors for young Tegh Allahabadi. The second edition was published as "Roshni" was published in Lahore in 1950.

His books :

1.Zangeerein - 1949 
2.Roshni - 1950 
3.Shehr-e-Azar 1958 
4.Mauj Meri Sadaf Sadaf - 1960 
5.Gareban - 1964 
6.Qaba-e-Saaz - 1967 
7.Koh-e- Nida -

Mustafa Zaidi's died on October 12, 1970, at age 39

Sent by : Manzar Hussain Akbar

Email id : mnzr_99@yahoo.com