Nazir Ahmed

Nazir Ahmed (1915-2008) was an Indian scholar, writer, and teacher of the Persian language. He was honoured by the Indian Government in 1987 with the Padma Shri award. He received this award for his contributions to the propagation of Persian Language and literature.

Early life and education

Nazir Ahmed was born on 3 January 1915, in the small hamlet of Kolahi Gharib (Ghurrah/Gorra), near Gonda, in Uttar Pradesh, India.

He attended a local primary school from which he graduated in 1930. He then attended Gonda High School to complete his matriculation in the first division, along with a distinction in mathematics in 1934. Subsequently, he joined Lucknow Christian College and completed his intermediary and Munshi examinations in 1936, and went on to secure a BA (Hons) in Persia in 1939, with first rank and first division. He completed his master's degree in 1940, acquiring a first rank, which earned him two gold medals and a scholarship for higher studies.

Career Ahmed started his career as a teacher at the Deoria Government High School, in Uttar Pradesh, immediately after the completion of his master's degree. He continued working there until he was transferred in 1943 to Basti Government High School. Professor Ahmed taught at the school for ten years, which he utilized for higher studies by pursuing research in Persia and enrolling for a PhD under the guidance of Prof. Masood Hasan Rizvi. He went on to earn his Doctoral degree in Zahoori (Tarshezi), in 1945. He continued his research by registering for D.Litt at the Lucknow University, and his thesis on the Persian poets of the Aadil-Shah period earned him the degree of D.Litt in 1950. Professor Ahmed's life suffered a minor setback when his eldest son, Abdul Basit, got embroiled in the movement and got expelled from the University which resulted in Professor Ahmed's exit from the editorial board of the journal. to follow in his footsteps and she eventually became a Padma Shri winner and a scholar in her own right. Professor Ahmed's remains were buried in the Aligarh Muslim University graveyard.

He has also received many other awards such as: Ghalib Award - Ghalib Institute of New Delhi — 1976 Presidential Award and Lifetime Fellowship — President of India - 1977 Khusro Award - Amir Khusro Society of America (AKSA) - 1987 Hafez Shanaas award — Iranian Cultural Council of India - 1988 Jaizah Afshar award — Government of Iran - 1989 DLitt (Honoris Causa) - University of Tehran, Iran — 1990

Publications Some of the notable works of Ahmed are: