Google dedicates doodle to mark Mirza Ghalib’s 220th birthday

In honour of Urdu poetry and literature’s timeless star, search engine giant Google paid tribute to the lifelong achievements of Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib through its newly-released doodle.

Born on 27th Dec, 1797 in the Indian city Agra, Ghalib’s contributions to the world of Urdu and Persian poetry are famous world-over. Ghalib also enjoys a distinct stature of being the last great poet of the glorious Mughal era in the subcontinent region.

Being renowned as one of the most celebrated Urdu poets of all times, Ghalib was also bestowed with the prestigious titles of ‘Dabir-ul-Mulk’ and ‘Najm-ul-Daula’ by the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar II. He was also appointed as the poet tutor to the royal Mughal family along with being appointed as the royal historian of Mughal Court by the Emperor. Although it is surprising to many, the fact that Ghalib composed his first poem at the tender age of 11 proves he was a gifted poet and poetry was among his innate talents.

His famous works include ‘Diwan-e-Ghalib’, ‘Kulliyat-e-Ghalib Farsi’ along with various other notable poems. Ghalib’s trademark throughout most of his poetry remained love, pain and loss. Ghalib is also known for his unique style of portraying mysticism and Sufism in his work.

Ghalib's life has been adapted and projected through various TV and stage plays as well as movies repeatedly. He breathed his last in a famous haveli that had been turned into ‘Ghalib Memorial’ after that.