When India was fighting for independence, it was not just fought on the streets with bullets and batons. There was another battlefield, one of ideas, passion, and language. On this front, Urdu poetry and literature encouraged people to think deeply, shaped their vision for a free nation, and gave them the courage to challenge the chains of slavery with the strength of a united call for freedom.

The fight for freedom reached every section of society. Farmers, workers, the educated, the rich and the poor all stepped forward. Poets and writers, being the most sensitive voices of their time, could not stay away. They entered the struggle armed with their pen, using their words to ignite the spirit of freedom and keep the movement alive. Many faced prison time, hardships, and even risked their lives, yet they refused to stay silent.

Urdu: the language of awakening

Urdu became a language of awakening. Through poetry, fiction, drama, and journalism, it united people, inspired courage, and shaped dreams of a free nation. From the first stirrings of revolt to 1947, Urdu poets wrote of both the pain of oppression and the hope of a just and independent homeland.

We all know the slogan Inquilab Zindabad, which was popularized by Bhagat Singh, but it was coined by the celebrated poet Hasrat Mohani. He was not only a true freedom fighter but also a remarkable poet who brought together romance and revolution in his verse. His writings still remind us of his determination, resilience, and deep love for the nation. Many other poets followed the same path, writing songs of freedom and resistance that became the strongest weapons to inspire the public.

Alongside him, poets like Josh Malihabadi, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Ali Sardar Jafri, Firaq Gorakhpuri, Makhdoom Mohiuddin, and Sahir Ludhianvi gave the movement its most stirring songs of resistance.
Who can forget Bismil Azimabadi’s immortal lines:

sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamare dil mein hai
dekhna hai zor kitna bazu-e qatil mein hai
shauq se raah-e mohabbat ki museebat jheel le
ek khushi ka raaz pinhan jaada-e manzil mein hai
aaj phir maqtal mein qatil keh raha hai baar baar
aayen woh shauq-e shahadat jin ke jin ke dil mein hai
These words, and many like them, became the heartbeat of the struggle.

Major poets and their contributions:

Josh Malihabadi was a revolutionary poet whose poetry gave voice to the dream of freedom. His verse was not mere ornamentation of words; it was the voice of a beating heart, an awakened mind, and a spirit brimming with rebellion. While many poets adopted a symbolic and metaphorical style, Josh’s poetry stood as an example of clarity, boldness, and open expression. His lines stirred hearts, awakened minds, and ignited the fire of revolt against oppression. His nationalistic and revolutionary poetry awakened the nation’s spirit and set off a wave of protest against subjugation.

The poem watan is one of Josh Malihabadi’s major works steeped in patriotism. Every line in this poem is a firm pledge, a strong promise, and a declaration of passionate devotion. He has beautifully expressed his love, sacrifice, loyalty, and emotional attachment to his homeland. This poem is not merely an emotional outpouring, but a national pledge, one that inspires generations to sacrifice, love, and serve their country.

In his poem Baghawat (Rebellion), Josh urges the youth to rise against British rule. Take a look at few lines of the poem: 

ae jawan mardon ye zillat kis liye sahte ho tum?
mard ho kar thokron ki zad pe kyun rahte ho tum?

Here are a some other stirring lines from the poem:

ae jawan mardon khudara baandh lo sar se kafan
sar barehna phir rahi hai izzat-e-qaum-o-watan
haan zameen ko zer kar ke aasmaanon par chadho
haan badho, ae saf-shikan beero! badho, jaldi badho

Faiz Ahmad Faiz, one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, gave the movement verses that became rallying cries. His words were a light for freedom fighters before independence, and a voice against tyranny even afterwards. His poem bol ke lab azaad hain tere urged people to speak the truth before it was too late. Its opening lines echo with urgency and hope, urging people to rise against oppression and recognise the power of words and their role in challenging injustice:

bol ke lab aazaad hain tere
bol  zabaan ab tak teri hai
tera sutwan jism hai tera
bol ki jaan ab tak teri hai
dekh ki aahan-gar ki dukan mein
tund hain shoale surkh hai aahan
khulne lage quflon ke dahane
phaila har ek zanjir ka daman
bol ye thoda waqt bahut hai
jism-o-zaban ki maut se pahle
bol ki sach zinda hai ab tak
bol jo kuchh kahna hai kah le

Makhdoom Mohiuddin was one of the most prominent progressive poets of Urdu, as well as a politician and revolutionary figure. He did not confine his poetry to the expression of emotions alone but made it a means to awaken the people from their slumber to freedom and revolution. His poetry reflects the political, social, and emotional environment of enslaved India. He was among those poets who made words their weapon and raised the banner of revolt against colonialism, exploitation, and slavery. Against the backdrop of India’s independence and the communal riots of 1947, he wrote and enriched Urdu poetry with priceless gems. His poems chaand taaron ka ban and aazadi-e-watan are notable works on the theme of freedom:

chaand taaron ka ban

mom ki tarah jalte rahe hum shahidon ke tan
raat-bhar jhilmilati rahi sham-e-subh-e-watan
raat-bhar jagmagata raha chand taron ka ban
tishnagi thi magar
tishnagi mein bhi sarshaar the
pyasi aankhon ke khali katore liye
muntazir mard-o-zan
mastiyan khatm, mad-hoshiyan khatm thin, khatm tha bankpan
raat ke jagmagate dahakte badan
subh-dam ek diwar-e-gham ban gae
khaar-zaar-e-alam ban gae
raat ki shah-ragon ka uchhalta lahu
ju-e-khoon ban gaya
kuchh imaman-e-sad-makr-o-fan
un ki saanson mein afi ki phunkar thi
un ke sine mein nafrat ka kala dhuan
ek kamin-gah se
phenk kar apni nok-e-zaban
khoon-e-nur-e-sahar pi gae
raat ki talchhaten hain andhera bhi hai
subh ka kuchh ujala bhi hai
hamdamo!
hath mein hath do
soo-e-manzil chalo
manzilen pyar ki
manzilen dar ki
ku-e-dildar ki manzilen
dosh par apni apni saliben uthae chalo

azadi-e-watan

kaho hindostan ki jai
kaho hindostan ki jai
qasam hai khoon se sinche hue rangin gulistan ki
qasam hai khoon-e-dahqan ki qasam khoon-e-shahidan ki
ye mumkin hai ki duniya ke samundar khushk ho jaen
ye mumkin hai ki dariya bahte bahte thak ke so jaen
jalana chhod den dozakh ke angare ye mumkin hai
rawani tark kar den barq ke dhaare ye mumkin hai
zamin-e-pak ab napakiyon ko dho nahin sakti
watan ki sham-e-azadi kabhi gul ho nahin sakti
kaho hindostan ki jai
kaho hindostan ki jai

Sahir Ludhianvi was one of the leading poets of the Progressive Movement, whose poetry blended romanticism with revolutionary thought. Sahir deeply felt the slavery and subjugation of the Indian people and raised his voice strongly against it in his poetry. Along with writing about the basic needs of human life, the rights of workers, equality, education, and women, he challenged British imperialism, capitalism, class divisions, oppression, and exploitation in his verses. His poetry longed for the true freedom of the people. His famous poem wo subh kabhi to aaegi is a fine example:

wo subh kabhi to aaegi

wo subh kabhi to aaegi
in kali sadiyon ke sar se jab raat ka aanchal dhalkega
jab dukh ke baadal pighlenge jab sukh ka sagar chhalkega
jab ambar jhoom ke nachega jab dharti naghme gaegi
wo subh kabhi to aaegi
jis subh ki khatir jug jug se hum sab mar mar kar jite hain
jis subh ke amrit ki dhun mein hum zahr ke pyale pite hain
in bhuki pyasi ruhon par ek din to karam farmaegi
wo subh kabhi to aaegi

Urdu poetry did not only contribute to the freedom struggle in written form; it became a powerful expression of public consciousness, rebellion, and struggle. Whether it was Josh’s revolutionary fervour, Faiz’s resistance, Makhdoom’s patriotism, or Sahir’s bitter truth, every poet conveyed the message of freedom in their own distinct voice and style. At times the message was direct, at times symbolic or metaphorical. This part of Urdu poetry still reminds us that the freedom of India was not merely a political event but a continuous struggle tied to human dignity, justice, and national unity. Indeed, the revolutionary legacy of Urdu poetry in the freedom movement, its role in making the movement public and popular, can never be forgotten.