GUMAN (Urdu Research Journal)
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مرزا غالب ؔ کی اردو غزل میں صنعتِ التفات
No full textMirza Ghalib, celebrated as one of the greatest poet of both Urdu and Persian, rightly occupies a place among the world’s literary classics. His oeuvre is marked by profound philosophical insights and intricate grammatically structure that continue to invite exploration. Among these the rhetorical device of ILTIFATE remains relatively under examined. ILTIFATE-the sudden shift in moods of address or grammatical persons, where the poet moves from the first person to the third person, or from presence to absence-create a subtle dislocation that both unsettles and enriches the texture of meaning. In Ghalib’s poetry this technique not only reflects the shifting status of consciousness and selfhood but also dramatizes the oscillation between intimacy and estrangement, presence and absence, certainty and doubt. Thu ILTIFATE in Ghalib’s poetry becomes more than a mere stylistics ornament; it emerge as a mirror of his philosophical restlessness and his aesthetics of paradox, revealing the instability of voice as a central dimension of his poetics.  
Edward Said and Orientalism: Postcolonial Critique, Representation of Islam, and Western Narratives: شرق شناسی اور ایڈورڈ سعید: نوآبادیاتی فکر، اسلام کی نمائندگی اور مغربی بیانیے کی تنقیدی تعبیر
No full textThis research paper critically examines Edward Said’s groundbreaking work Orientalism (1978) and its enduring impact on postcolonial theory, cultural studies, and the representation of Islam in Western discourse. The study explores how Orientalism, as defined by Said, functions not merely as an academic discipline but as a deeply entrenched mode of thought that enabled and legitimized European imperial domination. Through a close reading of Said’s arguments, the paper investigates the ways in which the West has historically constructed the East as exotic, inferior, and dependent, thereby reinforcing a binary opposition that privileges Western culture and power. The first section of the paper traces the intellectual origins of Orientalist thought in European literature, philology, and colonial administration, situating Said’s critique within the broader history of Western knowledge production. By analyzing key quotations from Orientalism, the discussion highlights how cultural representations serve as instruments of political control. The second section extends the analysis to the modern period, with a particular focus on the portrayal of Islam in Western media, especially after the events of September 11, 2001. It demonstrates how Orientalist stereotypes have been recycled in news coverage, policy debates, and popular culture, thereby shaping public perceptions of Muslims as the “Other.” The paper also addresses criticisms of Said’s work, noting both its limitations and its profound influence on subsequent scholarships in postcolonial studies, media analysis, and critical theory. Ultimately, this study argues that Orientalism remains a vital framework for understanding the interconnectedness of knowledge, power, and representation. By engaging with both the historical roots and contemporary manifestations of Orientalist discourse, the paper underscores the need for more nuanced and decolonized approaches to cultural understanding, particularly in relation to Islam and the modern global order.
Key Words: Orientalism, Edward Said, Postcolonial Criticism, Representation of Islam, Western Media Discourse. Power and Knowledg
Code-Mixing and Digital Communication: Analyising Tiktok's Influence on Urdu-English Language Practices Among Pakistani Youth
Full text linkThe proliferation of social media platforms has fundamentally transformed linguistic practices globally, with TikTok emerging as a particularly influential catalyst for language innovation among digital natives. In Pakistan's multilingual context, this platform has intensified Urdu-English code-mixing practices among youth, raising critical questions about linguistic identity, language preservation, and digital communication norms. This study examines TikTok's influence on Urdu-English code-mixing patterns among Pakistani youth, investigating how platform engagement reshapes traditional language practices. A quantitative survey methodology was employed, collecting data from 100+ participants across three age groups (21-25, 26-30, 31-35 years) through structured questionnaires examining usage patterns, linguistic behaviors, and demographic variations. Findings reveal that 60% of respondents (aged 21-25) demonstrate high code-mixing rates, spending 2-4 hours daily on TikTok, with marked divergence between home language use (Punjabi, Pashto) and TikTok preferences (Urdu-English mixing). Results indicate generational gradients in linguistic adaptation, with younger users adopting slang, abbreviations, and multimodal communication features while expressing concerns about formal writing competency and regional language decline. The study recommends developing educational interventions that balance digital linguistic innovation with traditional language preservation in Pakistan's evolving multilingual landscape.
Keywords: Code-mixing; TikTok; Urdu-English bilingualism; Pakistani youth; digital communicatio
Artificial Intelligence and Urdu Language and Literature: Perspectives on Opportunities and Challenges
No full textThe rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) during the past decade—particularly large language models and generative systems—has fundamentally reshaped the production, circulation, and interpretation of language and literature. This study critically examines the implications of AI for Urdu language and literature by situating contemporary AI technologies within broader philosophical, ethical, and literary-theoretical frameworks. Drawing on the ideas of major thinkers such as Nick Bostrom, Yuval Noah Harari, Katherine Hayles, Jaron Lanier, Martin Heidegger, Roland Barthes, Jacques Derrida, and Julia Kristeva, the paper explores how AI challenges established notions of authorship, creativity, intertextuality, originality, and human-centered literary production. The research highlights both the opportunities and risks posed by AI for Urdu literature. On the one hand, AI-enabled tools facilitate large-scale textual analysis, translation, digitization, stylistic modeling, and access to literary resources, thereby opening new horizons for research, pedagogy, and global dissemination. On the other hand, the increasing automation of literary creation raises serious concerns regarding existential risk, cultural homogenization, data feudalism, loss of linguistic authenticity, ethical authorship, copyright, and the erosion of human creativity and critical judgment. By applying contemporary philosophical debates on posthumanism, deconstruction, and intertextuality to the Urdu literary tradition, this study argues that AI should neither be uncritically celebrated nor outright rejected. Instead, it calls for a critically informed, ethically grounded, and culturally sensitive engagement with AI. The paper concludes that the future of Urdu language and literature depends on developing new critical frameworks, institutional awareness, and scholarly practices that preserve human agency while responsibly integrating technological innovation.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence (AI); Urdu Language and Literature; Literary Theory; Posthumanism; Authorship and Creativity; Intertextuality; Digital Humanities; Existential Risk; AI Ethics; Cultural Identit
Scholarly Opinions on Arthur John Arbery's Quranic Thoughts: A Critical Review : آرتھر جان آربری کے قرآنی افکار پر علمی حلقوں کی آراء: ایک تنقیدی جائزہ
No full textArthur John Arberry, a renowned British orientalist, made significant contributions to Quranic studies, particularly through his English translation of the Quran. His interpretation and understanding of the Quranic text have been the subject of extensive scholarly discourse. This study critically reviews various academic perspectives on Arberry’s Quranic thoughts, analyzing both orientalist and Muslim scholars' viewpoints. It examines how his approach to Quranic translation and interpretation has been received, highlighting its linguistic, theological, and methodological dimensions. The study identifies key scholarly debates, evaluates the strengths and limitations of Arberry’s work, and discusses its impact on contemporary Quranic studies.
Key Words: Arthur John Arberry, Quranic Studies, Orientalism, Quranic Translation, Scholarly Criticis
Comparison of Trained and Untrained Teachers’ Teaching Competency at Elementary Level in District Haveli Kahuta AJ&K
Full text linkTraining plays an important role in teaching learning process. Great effect has been seen on students’ success with regard to trained and untrained teachers teaching competency . Therefore, comparison was done between trained and untrained teachers teaching competency at elementary level in District Havel Kahuta AJ&K. Descriptive study design was employed. Random sampling technique was used by involving 08 schools. From each school 25 students were selected comprising 200 sample. Self-developed questionnaire consisting of 29 items was used to collect the data on three-point Likert scale. Pilot testing was done. Questionnaire was validated and reliability was found out i.e. 0.996 by using Cronbach’s Alpha. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed by using SPSS for data analysis. Independent sample t-test was applied for comparison of trained and untrained teachers’ teaching competence at elementary level. The findings revealed the distinct differences between trained and untrained teachers; planning lessons, managing classrooms, effective teaching strategy, subject mastery and many more. Schools should provide structured training to enhance teaching skills, classroom management, and student engagement. Teachers should be trained in effective evaluation and feedback methods to track student progress.
Keywords: Teacher training, pedagogical skills, classroom management, educational outcomes, secondary education
 
The Meanings and Definitions of Ishq: An Analysis: عشق کے معنی و مفاہیم:ایک تجزیہ
No full textThe Quran has declared divine love as the identity of the believer and the soul of faith. This exceptional position of divine love in the Quran strengthens the argument that the basic concept of purification in the Quran is the love of Allah, not His divine obedience. This obedience is only a necessary consequence of this love. Of course, the extraordinary importance of divine love in religion is an indisputable fact. However, the term 'divine love' is used by Sufism instead of 'divine love'. In order to prove that the basic concept of purification of religion according to the Quran is divine love, two things must be proven: one is that the true meaning of divine love mentioned in the Quran is the same as divine love, and the other is that according to the Quranic statements and styles of speech, this love of Allah is the basic concept of His religion. Is this the real reality? It remains to be seen what the internal evidence of the Quran decides in this regard. The present article presents a complete review of Ishq.
Key Words: The Quran, soul of faith, divine obedience, divine love, Quranic statements, Sofias, “Sub-Rus”
The Evolution of Constitutionalism in the 21st Century: Challenges and Opportunities
Full text linkThe nature of constitutionalism has witnessed more changes because of globalization, advancement of technology and altering politics. In the world, the influence of international organizations, international law, and world treaties in places on the laws of the states has been increasingly becoming more intense, and this is slowly diminishing the national independence of the states. As the level of technological advancement particularly in the aspect of digital governance has increased there has been emergence of a new layer of constitutional law which has given rise to issues on privacy, surveillance and regulation of new and upcoming technologies. At the same time, politics has become more populist and authoritarian and this has threatened democracy and harmed the constitutional rights in majority of the states. These strains directly spell the danger of the rule of law, independence of the judiciary and the protection of the fundamental rights. Despite these difficulties, however, there is also the fact that constitutionalism is changing itself and as such presents a possibility of change and an improvement. The issue of transparency, access to justice as well as participation of the citizen in their governance can be rectified through innovation in technology. These challenges of globalization can be transformed into the opportunity to advance the international law cooperation and human rights support. Secondly, the populism and authoritarianism tendency lends substantiality to constitutionally safe preservations in case of contradictory democratic ideals and the worth of the people to militantly intervene into the conservation of democratic ideals. This report examines these forces, not just the dangers that constitutionalism faces to them over the course of the 21st century but also what can be done to make the myriad of protections that the constitution offers and the involvement of citizens to enhance those findings and encourage more powerful, more comprehensive, and more responsive systems of law
Feminist Criticism in Urdu Literature: An Analysis
Full text linkFeminist trends in Urdu literature have been visible since the forties of the twentieth century. This trend was of two types. One trend is pure feminist consciousness and the other is feminist rhetoric. An important name of that period is Dr. Rashid Jahan. Rashid Jahan started writing around 1930. In fact, two of her stories, ‘Dilli Ki Sair’ and ‘Pardey Ke Zaheer’, published in Lucknow, have received a lot of attention. Rashid Jahan also received anonymous and threatening letters. Rashid Jahan was a socialist and was regularly associated with the communist movement, but her stories shed light on the two different standards and moral principles prevailing in society for women and men. In "Mujrim Kon" (1941), an English pilgrim, Mr. Robbins, sentences a cowherd to three years for abducting another laborer's wife (who had actually gone with him of her own free will). But he himself first abducts the wife of a colonel and then divorces her husband and marries her. The first clear voice of feminism in women's Urdu literature is that of Ismat Chughtai. Ismat's tone, her tone, her style of writing are purely feminism. Her writings are the first experience of expressing feminism and consciousness in women's Urdu literature. Ismat's themes are unique. Her reaction to social conditions is also unique.
Key Words: Feminist trends, Dr. Rashid Jahan, ‘Dilli Ki Sair’, ‘Pardey Ke Zaheer’, Lucknow, "Mujrim Kon", (1941), Ismat Chughtai
A Research and Critical Analyze of the Indigenous Singing Tradition in the Sindhi Poetic Genre ‘Kafi’
Full text linkSindh has long been a cradle of ancient civilization, art, and music. From the Indus Valley Civilization to the eras of the Kalhoras and Talpurs, music and dance have remained an essential part of Sindhi social and spiritual life. Within this long musical tradition, indigenous singing — particularly the singing of Kafi — has emerged as a central genre that embodies mystical, social, and cultural expression. This research aims to explore the indigenous singing tradition of Sindhi Kafi in its historical, artistic, and cultural context. It seeks to examine its evolution, thematic depth, and technical development, while highlighting how Kafi’s indigenous form has influenced Sindhi collective consciousness, mysticism, and national identity. The Research Questions of this study are: How did the tradition of indigenous singing develop through different historical periods in Sindh? What are the philosophical and technical foundations of Kafi singing? What are the major types of indigenous singing (such as Bhagat and Naach) that have helped preserve the Sindhi Kafi tradition? How has the indigenous singing of Kafi influenced Sindhi society, religion, and spirituality? The study adopts a historical, analytical, and qualitative research approach. It employs textual analysis of classical Sindhi poetry, along with field observations and oral traditions. Primary sources include the works of Dr. Nabi Bakhsh Baloch, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Mian Shah Inat, Sachal Sarmast, and other Kafi poets. Secondary data were collected from research publications, archives, and audio-visual records available at cultural institutions such as the Institute of Sindhology. Data Sources is Historical texts, Scholarly works on Sindhi music and poetry, Oral narratives and field interviews,Recorded audio and video materials of indigenous singers. The study reveals that Sindhi Kafi, in its indigenous singing tradition, is not merely an artistic form but a reflection of philosophical, mystical, and ethical values. Through the performances of Bhagats, Naach performers, and folk musicians, Kafi has delivered messages of unity, humanism, and inner peace. The indigenous tradition of Kafi singing remains a living symbol of Sindhi culture and continues to inspire contemporary art and music.
Keywords: Sindhi Kafi history, Indigenous Singing, Bhagat, Naach, Folk Music, Mysticism, Sindhi Culture