A great reformist and visionary, Hakim Fasihuddin 
   Ranj Meeruthi even prepared a manifesto for women's education 
   "Baharistan-e-Naaz ", stressing the need to educate women as 
   early as in the 1860s.

               In his research on this great Urdu poet and writer, 
   Dr Rahat Abrar, a prominent Urdu journalist said that it is a 
   tragedy that very little is known about Ranj, who tirelessly 
   worked for the upliftment of the society.

             Dr Rahat Abrar in his research document said that Ranj 
   Meeruthi was infect a harbinger of change in society, who 
   advocated strongly for social awareness among women. His 
   Movement for mass education among Muslim leaders to plead for 
   seeking modern scientific and technical education.

           Fasihuddin Ranj Compiled works of 174 leading women 
   writers, scholars and poetess to show how these literary women 
   contributed to the promotion of Indian culture and heritage in 
   the 18th and 19th century.

          It was his book "Baharistan-e-Naaz", Which influenced 
   Deputy Nazir Ahmad, leading reformist of the 19th century, and 
   Moulana Altaf Husain Hali, poet and scholar, to forcefully plead 
   for mass education of women.

          Dr Rahat Abrar, PRO, Aligarh Muslim University said this 
   book projected high status of women in society, besides 
   stressing the importance of education. Deputy Nazir Ahmad and 
   Moulana Hali also made a strong case for the education of women 
   in their works, which immediately followed Fasihuddin Ranj's 
   Tazkra.

         Fasihuddin Ranj also took part in a number of Mushairas in 
   various parts of the country along with Moulana Hali and Moulvi 
   Mohammad Husain Azad and promoted the modern Urdu poetry. He was 
   among the first few writers who got influenced by western 
   thoughts.

              He was a disciple of famous urdu poet Mirza 
   Ghalib.Ghalib's influence is felt in his poems, Dr Abrar said 
   that Ranj was born in 1836 in Meerut and died at the age of 
   49.His great grandfather migrated to India during the reign of 
   Mughal emperor Humayun.

              He said that Moulana Hali was higly impressed by 
   Fasihuddin Ranj's work. Hali who was witnessed to the 1857 
   uprising, was moved by its adverse impact on the elite class of 
   Delhi.The condition of women of royal families was so pathetic 
   as they had no education nor any skill to earn this livelihood.

              This book on Ranj is a delight for those who wish to 
   know more about the poet than is usually provided in most books 
   of poetry. But, this is not a book of poetry. It is a book about 
   the man, his times and the changes he brought to the scene of 
   Urdu literature in the 19th century.

          Dr Rahat Abrar's work is a well researched document and a 
   treasure trove for those who would like to know more about the 
   unfolding sonnets and stanzas of urdu poetry and prose. 
 

                                      Review by 
                                    Manzoor Ahmad 

                                 Zia Compound,Marris Road,
 

   Price Rs 250/ 
   Distributor-Educational book house
   Shamshad Market, AMU, Aligarh
   Publisher  Dr Rahat Abrar
   Zia Compound, Marris Road, Aligarh 
   ALIGARH-202002 India