Ghulam Nabi Gowhar

Ghulam Nabi Gowhar (born Ghulam Nabi Muqeem; 26 June 1934 19 June 2018) was a multilingual Kashmiri author, novelist, poet, columnist and a retired sessions jurist. He wrote about sixty books in Kashmiri, Urdu, and in English languages on various subjects such as politics, literature, history and on Sufism. In 1971, he wrote a novel titled Mujrim, leading him to become the "first novelist of Kashmiri literature". The recipient of cultural and literary awards and accordion, including Sahitya Akademi Award, he is also credited for translating the constitution of India into Kashmiri language.

He also conducted extensively research on various subjects such as history of Kashmir and Sufi saints. He is also credited for deciphering the poetry (called Shruks) of Nund Rishi. He also documented Bijbehara Massacre and Charari Sharief operation in his two historical books titled The Central Stage of Kashmir Politics and Military operation in Kashmir: insurgency at Charar-e-Sharief.

Early life and education He was born as Ghulam Nabi Muqeem to Haji Mohammed Akram Mukim in Charari Sharief town of Budgam district, Jammu and Kashmir princely state of British India. He received his initial schooling at his hometown, and graduated from Gandhi Memorial College, Srinagar. Later, he went to Uttar Pradesh and did his Bachelor of Laws from the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). He postgraduated in Persian language from AMU.

Gowhar originally started his career in judicial. He started legal practice in Budgam, and was then appointed as a judge. Prior to his appointment, he wanted to be a politician, however before participating in elections, he qualified the judicial examination and was appointed as a judge and retired as a Sessions Judge. He also edited the complete literary work of Ghulam Nabi Aariz, the 9th century's Kashmiri poet.

Publications +Key Remarks denote a short description of the work where available.

Title His death anniversary is celebrated annually by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, a state-owned literary organization dedicated to promote regional languages and art and culture in the state.