پنجابی زبان و ادب میں تذکرہ نگاری کی روایت (آغاز و ارتقاء کا تحقیقی و توصیفی مطالعہ)

The Tradition of Tazkira Writing in Punjabi Language and Literature: A Research and Critical Study of Its Origin and Evolution

Abstract

This research paper delves into the antiquity and richness of the Punjabi language, tracing its roots to the pre-Aryan Indus Valley Civilization. The primary objective of the study is to analyze the tradition of Tazkira Nigari (biographical anthologies) in Punjabi literature, which serves as a vital tool for preserving the cultural and literary heritage of the region. This article explores the transition of this genre from its primitive form, the Bayaz (personal diaries) to structured historical and critical volumes. By examining the works of pioneering scholars such as Baba Budh Singh and Maula Bakhsh Kushta, the paper highlights how this tradition evolved under the influence of Arabic, Persian, and Urdu literary norms. The study further categorizes the existing literature into five distinct types: Formal Tazkiras, Literary histories, thematic anthologies, research theses, and literary directories. A significant portion of the research is dedicated to “District Histories,” which provide an invaluable record of local poets and regional dialects. By documenting the contributions of classical Sufi poets and modern writers across various sub-dialects, this paper concludes that Tazkira Nigari is not merely a biographical record but a foundational pillar for the critical and historical continuity of Punjabi literature.