IGNOU BUDS-189 Solved Question Paper PDF Download

IGNOU BUDS-189 Previous Year Solved Question Paper in Hindi

IGNOU BUDS-189 Previous Year Solved Question Paper in English

Q1. Define ‘essay’ and shed light on its importance.

Ans. Introduction: The Urdu word ‘Mazmoon’ is derived from the Arabic word ‘Zimn’, which means ‘to include’ or ‘to incorporate’. In literature, an essay is a genre of prose in which the writer presents their thoughts, feelings, and arguments on a specific topic in an organized and coherent manner. It is a brief but complete piece of writing aiming to inform, entertain, or persuade the reader. A good essay has three main parts:

• Introduction (Tamheed): It introduces the topic and grabs the reader’s attention.
• Body (Nafs-e-Mazmoon): This is the largest part of the essay, where various aspects of the topic are discussed in detail. Arguments, examples, and evidence are presented here.
• Conclusion (Ikhtitam): Here, the writer summarizes their ideas and presents a final opinion.

Importance (Ahmiyat):

The importance of essay writing (Mazmoon Nigari) exists on multiple levels.

Firstly

, it is a powerful medium for the dissemination of knowledge and information. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan used essays in his journal ‘Tehzeeb-ul-Akhlaq’ to bring about social and educational reforms in the Muslim community.

Secondly

, it promotes critical and analytical thinking (tanqeedi soch) in both the writer and the reader. Writing on a topic requires research, analysis, and the logical organization of ideas.

Thirdly

, it refines language and expression skills. A good essayist has the ability to present their ideas in clear, effective, and beautiful language. Finally, it is a medium of personal expression, allowing the writer to share their unique perspectives and experiences with the world. In short, the essay is not just a literary genre but an important tool for education, reform, and intellectual development.

Q2. What are the characteristics of a scholarly/academic essay? Explain with examples.

Ans. An ‘Ilmi Mazmoon’ or academic essay is a category of prose whose main purpose is to impart knowledge, present research, or provide a logical analysis of a serious subject. Its goal is not to entertain but to enhance the reader’s intellectual understanding. The main characteristics (khusoosiyat) of a scholarly essay are as follows:

• Objectivity (Ma’ruziyat): There is no place for the writer’s personal feelings or biases in a scholarly essay. The author presents an impartial viewpoint based on facts and evidence.
• Research-Based (Tehqeeqi): This type of essay is based on in-depth research and study. The writer uses credible sources, data, and evidence to support their claims.
• Logical Structure (Mantiqi Saakht): Ideas are presented in a logical and systematic order. It has a clear introduction, body, and conclusion, where each paragraph is connected to the previous one.
• Clear and Precise Language: It employs simple, direct, and unambiguous language. Technical or specialized vocabulary is used as per the demands of the subject.
• Seriousness and Sobriety (Sanjeedgi-o-Waqar): Its tone is serious and restrained. There is no room for light-hearted remarks or humor and satire.

Examples:

The best examples of scholarly essay writing in Urdu are the articles of

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan

and

Shibli Nomani

. The essays Sir Syed wrote in ‘Tehzeeb-ul-Akhlaq’ on subjects like religion, society, and education were entirely scholarly and reformist. His aim was to acquaint his community with modern knowledge. Similarly, Shibli Nomani’s literary and historical essays, such as those in ‘Sher-ul-Ajam’, are outstanding examples of deep research and logical analysis. These writers made Urdu prose an effective medium for scientific and intellectual discourse.

Q3. Write a note on the definition and art of satirical and humorous essay writing.

Ans. Tanz-o-Mazah (Satire and Humour) is an extremely popular and influential genre of Urdu prose. In it, the writer comments on the weaknesses, hypocrisies, and absurdities of society, politics, or human nature through laughter and irony. Its purpose is not merely to make people laugh but to provoke deep social criticism and a desire for reform under the guise of entertainment. Definition and Difference:

• Mazah (Humour): Its primary objective is to create laughter and amusement. It is often generated through wordplay, funny situations, or characters. The humour of Patras Bokhari is a prime example of pure ‘Mazah’, which tickles without hurting anyone.
• Tanz (Satire): This is more biting and critical. It uses irony, ridicule, and exaggeration to attack a person, institution, or social evil. Its aim is reform. The element of ‘Tanz’ is prominent in the writings of Kanhaiya Lal Kapoor and Rasheed Ahmad Siddiqui.

The Art of Satire and Humour:

Writing a successful satirical and humorous essay is a very subtle art. The writer must be mindful of several things.

Firstly

, the writer’s observation must be very keen to capture the societal anomalies that ordinary people overlook.

Secondly

, an extraordinary command of language is essential. The writer must play with words in such a way that the message, though bitter, is delivered in an entertaining manner. This is also known as “using a scalpel” (nashtar lagana), where the incision is made without the patient feeling the pain.

Thirdly

, balance is crucial. If the satire becomes too bitter, it loses its appeal, and if the humour is too light, it becomes ineffective. In Urdu,

Patras Bokhari, Rasheed Ahmad Siddiqui, Ibn-e-Insha, Mushtaq Ahmad Yusufi,

and

Kanhaiya Lal Kapoor

are considered the great masters of this art, who showed a mirror to society through their essays.

Q4. Review the characteristics of Khwaja Hasan Nizami’s essay writing.

Ans. Khwaja Hasan Nizami (1878-1955) is the pioneer of a unique and distinctive style in Urdu prose. His style of essay writing (mazmoon nigari) is so unique that it can only be called the ‘Nizami’ style. His greatest characteristic is that he would take very common, insignificant, and everyday things as the subject of his essays and then find deep philosophical and Sufi meanings in them. The main characteristics of Khwaja Hasan Nizami’s essays are as follows:

• Novelty of Subject: He wrote on topics that no one else could even think of. Subjects like ‘The Funeral of a Cricket’ (Jhingur ka Janaza), ‘The Mosquito’ (Machhar), ‘The Matchstick’ (Diyaslai), and ‘Rose is Yours, Acacia is Ours’ (Gulab Tumhara, Keekar Hamara) demonstrate his extraordinary observation and creativity.
• Simple and Colloquial Language: Instead of complex and ornate language, Nizami Sahib used simple, effortless language, typical of the common speech of Delhi. His language directly touches the reader’s heart.
• Brevity (Ikhtisar): His essays were often very short, which he called ‘Sipara-e-Dil’ (A chapter of the heart). But even in these short essays, he could encapsulate a whole world of ideas.
• Sufi and Philosophical Tone: Hailing from a Sufi family, his writing is deeply influenced by Tasawwuf (Sufism). He saw spiritual meaning and the reflection of God’s power even in material things.
• Personal and Intimate Style: Reading his essays feels as if the writer is speaking directly to the reader. This personal and intimate touch makes his prose very effective.

His famous book

‘Sipara-e-Dil’

is the best example of his unique style. Khwaja Hasan Nizami proved that one does not need grand subjects to be a great writer, but rather a deep insight and a sensitive heart that can see the universe even in small things.

Q5. Review the essay writing of Rasheed Ahmad Siddiqui.

Ans. Rasheed Ahmad Siddiqui (1892-1977) is one of the most important satirists and essayists in Urdu. His connection with Aligarh Muslim University was so profound that Aligarh and its culture remained the pivot of most of his writings. His essay writing is known for its distinctive intellectual humour, complex style, and deep social commentary. The main characteristics of Rasheed Ahmad Siddiqui’s essays are as follows:

• Attachment to Aligarh: For him, Aligarh was not just a university but a ‘tehzeeb’ (culture) and a way of life. In his essays, such as ‘Charpai’ (The Cot), ‘Vakil Sahab’ (The Lawyer), and ‘Apni Yaad Mein’ (In My Own Memory), the life of Aligarh, its characters, and its traditions come alive.
• Intellectual Humour and Satire: Rasheed’s humour is not pure humour like that of Patras Bokhari. It is a serious and intellectual humour with a sharp edge of satire. He makes you think while you laugh. His satire targets social hypocrisy, decline, and the erosion of values.
• Complex and Scholarly Style: His language and sentence structure are quite complex. He uses long sentences, and his prose is rich with Arabic and Persian vocabulary. This can make him a bit difficult for the common reader to understand, but it is also the hallmark of his style.
• Characterization: He creates unforgettable characters in his essays, who often represent the culture of Aligarh. These characters become a medium for commenting on various societal trends.

His major works include

‘Mazameen-e-Rasheed’, ‘Ganj-ha-e-Giranmaya’

, and

‘Hum-Nafsan-e-Rafta’

. Rasheed Ahmad Siddiqui gave Urdu satire a new intellectual height. He believed that

“No nation can be great without a sense of humour.”

His essay writing is proof that humour and satire can be powerful tools for serious social and cultural analysis.

Q6. Write an essay on any one of the following: (b) Women’s Education

Ans. Taaleem-e-Niswan (Women’s Education) Introduction: The most reliable measure of the progress of any society or nation is the status of its women, and the most powerful tool to improve this status is education. The saying is well-known: “When you educate a man, you educate an individual, but when you educate a woman, you educate an entire family and a whole generation.” Taaleem-e-Niswan, or women’s education, is not only essential for the personal development of women but also for the social, economic, and cultural development of the entire society. Historical Perspective and Importance: Historically, in many societies around the world, including India, women were deprived of educational opportunities. However, in the 19th and 20th centuries, social reformers like Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, and Jyotiba Phule advocated for women’s education. They understood that an uneducated mother cannot build a progressive and aware generation. An educated woman becomes a better mother, a better citizen, and an economically self-reliant individual. She can take better care of her children’s health, nutrition, and education. She is aware of her rights and is more capable of confronting domestic violence and social evils. Challenges and Solutions: Today, there has been considerable progress in the field of women’s education in India, but many challenges still remain. Poverty, social dogmas, the distance of schools, and concerns about girls’ safety are major obstacles. Many families prioritize the education of boys and want to confine girls to domestic chores. To tackle these challenges, the government is running schemes like ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’. The most crucial need is to change the societal mindset. We must understand that educating girls is not an expense but an investment in the future. Conclusion: Women’s education is not just a slogan but the foundation of a developed and just society. It is the key to women’s empowerment, gender equality, and national development. Only when half of the country’s population is educated and empowered can India truly realize its dream of becoming a developed nation.

Q7. Describe the characteristics of Patras Bokhari’s satire and humor.

Ans. Ahmed Shah Bokhari, who became world-famous by his pen name ‘Patras Bokhari’ , is one of the greatest names in pure and refined humour (mazah) in Urdu literature. His small book of humorous essays, ‘Mazameen-e-Patras’, has made him immortal in Urdu literature. The greatest feature of his style is that it makes readers laugh and chuckle but never hurts anyone’s feelings. The main characteristics of Patras’s satire and humour are as follows:

• Pure Humour (Khaalis Mazah): Patras’s humour is free from the bitterness of satire (tanz). He does not champion social reform; instead, he generates humour from the common human weaknesses and amusing situations found in everyday life. His sole purpose is to provide healthy entertainment.
• Situational Humour: His humour arises more from situations than from the actions or words of the characters. In essays like ‘Kuttay’ (Dogs), ‘Sawere Jo Kal Aankh Meri Khuli’ (When I Woke Up Yesterday Morning), and ‘Hostel Mein Parhna’ (Studying in a Hostel), the protagonist (often Patras himself) gets trapped in such strange and funny situations that the reader cannot control their laughter.
• Simple, Effortless, and Fluent Language: Patras’s language is extremely simple, natural, and fluent. He avoids difficult words and complex sentences. His prose flows like a clear river, carrying the reader along with it.
• Influence of Western Literature: Patras was a professor of English literature and was greatly influenced by Western humorists like Stephen Leacock. He successfully adapted the techniques of Western humour into Urdu, which brought a new freshness to his style.
• Artistic Use of Exaggeration: He exaggerates a simple matter in such a way that it becomes ridiculous. His experiences of learning to ride a bicycle or being afraid of a dog are excellent examples of this.

In summary, Patras Bokhari’s humour is universal and timeless. He viewed humour as an art form whose purpose is to reduce the stress of life and provide a moment of joy. ‘Mazameen-e-Patras’ is a milestone in Urdu humorous literature that remains difficult for anyone to surpass even today.

Q8. What is the status of ‘Aab-e-Hayat’ in Urdu literature? Explain.

Ans. ‘Aab-e-Hayat’ , written by Maulana Muhammad Husain Azad in 1880, is an epoch-making work in Urdu literature and holds an extremely important position. It is not just a traditional biography of poets (tazkira), but is considered the first systematic book of literary history in Urdu. Its place in Urdu literature is unique and enduring for several reasons. The Importance and Status of ‘Aab-e-Hayat’:

• Foundation of Literary History: Before ‘Aab-e-Hayat’, only tazkiras were written about poets, which contained an alphabetical list of poets and some of their verses. Azad, for the first time, divided poets into chronological ‘daur’ (eras) and presented the development of Urdu poetry as a narrative. This laid the foundation for modern literary historiography (tareekh-nigari) in Urdu.
• Unique Prose Style: Azad’s prose style is highly poetic, ornate, and picturesque. He described the poets and their times so vividly that the characters feel alive before the reader’s eyes. His language has a narrative and dramatic quality that makes it far more entertaining than a dry historical document. It is a masterpiece of Urdu prose.
• Beginning of Literary Criticism: Although not a book of modern criticism, Azad did give his opinions on the poets’ works and attempted to analyze their artistic merits. Through ‘Aab-e-Hayat’, he initiated the debate on what poetry should be, which paved the way for modern criticism (tanqeed) in Urdu.
• Depiction of Urdu Language Development: In his book, Azad also discussed the origin and development of the Urdu language in detail, presenting his famous theory that Urdu “originated from Braj Bhasha”. Although this theory is no longer accepted, it was a significant attempt at the time.

Despite some factual inaccuracies and Azad’s personal biases (especially his inclination towards Zauq), the importance of ‘Aab-e-Hayat’ is not diminished. It is still considered a masterpiece of Urdu prose and an essential source for the literary history of Urdu. It gave a new direction to Urdu prose and criticism, and the history of Urdu literature is incomplete without it.

Q9. Review the characteristics of Sir Syed’s essay writing.

Ans. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan (1817-1898) is known not only as a great social reformer and educationist but is also considered the founder of modern essay writing (mazmoon nigari) in Urdu. He transformed Urdu prose from its traditional, ornate, and complex style into a simple, logical, and purposeful form. His writing was not for literary pleasure but was a mission for the social, educational, and moral reform of his people, especially Muslims. The main characteristics of Sir Syed’s essay writing are as follows:

• Purposefulness (Maqsadiyat): Every essay by Sir Syed was written with a specific purpose. His aim was to change the mindset of his readers, to inculcate a scientific outlook in them, and to prepare them for the challenges of the modern world. To spread his ideas, he started the journal ‘Tehzeeb-ul-Akhlaq’ in 1870.
• Simple and Direct Language: He deliberately abandoned the ornate and poetic prose style prevalent at the time. He adopted a language that was direct, clear, rational, and understandable to the common man. He said, “I want what is in my heart to flow from my pen.”
• Emphasis on Logic and Reason: His essays are based on logic (daleel) and reason (aql) rather than emotions. He uses logical arguments and facts to persuade his audience. This shows the influence of English essayists like Addison and Steele.
• Variety of Subjects: He wrote on a wide range of subjects, including religion, ethics, social customs, education, history, and politics. His essays like ‘Guzra Hua Zamana’ (The Bygone Era), ‘Umeed ki Khushi’ (The Joy of Hope), ‘Ta’assub’ (Prejudice), and ‘Riya’ (Hypocrisy) are still relevant today.
• Reformist Approach: At the core of all his writing was a deep desire for reform. He vehemently attacked the superstitions, outdated customs, and intellectual stagnation prevalent in society.

In short, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan turned the Urdu essay from a literary toy into a powerful social and intellectual tool. He gave Urdu prose a new direction and a new purpose, enabling it to express modern ideas and scientific knowledge. Therefore, it is entirely appropriate to call him the ‘Father of Urdu Prose’.

Q10. Write a note on the satire and humor of Kanhaiya Lal Kapoor.

Ans. Kanhaiya Lal Kapoor (1910-1980) is one of the leading satirists in Urdu who carried forward the tradition of humour established by Patras Bokhari, but added a new and sharp edge of satire to it. He was also influenced by the Progressive Writers’ Movement, which is why his writings clearly show a deep social consciousness and sympathy for the poor and exploited. The main characteristics of Kanhaiya Lal Kapoor’s humour and satire are as follows:

• Satire on Social and Economic Inequality: Kapoor’s satire is focused on the economic and social inequalities prevalent in society, the flaws of capitalism, and the problems of the middle class. In essays like ‘Main aur Mera Padosi Mulk’ (Me and My Neighbouring Country), ‘Cheeni Shayari’ (Chinese Poetry), and ‘Murghi ki Khud-Nawisht’ (The Autobiography of a Hen), he makes sharp comments on these issues.
• Use of Parody: He was a master of the art of parody. He used famous poems and verses of Ghalib, Iqbal, and other great poets to satirize contemporary social and political situations. His book ‘Ghalib Jadeed Sho’ra ki ek Majlis Mein’ (Ghalib in a Gathering of Modern Poets) is an excellent example of this.
• A Mix of Humour and Bitterness: His writing features a unique blend of humour and the bitterness of satire. He does make readers laugh, but behind that laughter lies a deep pain and social criticism. His satire often makes the reader uncomfortable and forces them to think.
• Simple and Effective Language: Unlike Rasheed Ahmad Siddiqui, Kapoor’s language is simple and direct. He uses common, everyday words to ensure his message reaches the widest possible audience.

His major works include

‘Sang-o-Khisht’, ‘Chang-o-Rubab’, ‘Nok-e-Nashtar’

, and

‘Baal-o-Par’

. Kanhaiya Lal Kapoor’s satire is not just for entertainment; it is a purposeful satire aimed at exposing social injustice and inspiring the creation of a better society. He gave Urdu satire a new social and political direction.