CRITICAL OVERVIEW OF “AJAIB-UL-QISAS”

’’عجائب القصص‘‘ پر ایک تنقیدی نظر

Abstract

Shah Alam Sani was the son of Aziz-ud-Din Alamgir Sani, who promoted knowledge and etiquette in the royal court. His contributions to the fields of knowledge and literature alongside achievements in the battlefield are profound. He had received a special scholarly education which enabled him to be proficient in Persian, Arabic and other languages. "Ajaib-ul-Qisas" is a Dastan written by Shah Alam, in which the tale of Prince Shujaa ul Shams and Queen Nigaar is told. This is a love story narrated in the style and structure of other long tales and moves forward in a traditional manner. Nonetheless, "Ajaib-ul-Qisas" is considered more important than others. Firstly, it is a work authored by Shah Alam, the Mughal Emperor, himself. Secondly, it provides insightful content about lifestyle, poetic tastes, and court traditions of 18^th century. Adding upon that, it is one of the few initial writings of Urdu prose literature in northern India.