Impact of Attar’s “Conference of the Birds” on Bano Qudsia’s Novel “Raja Gidh”: A Comparative Study

Abstract

The Urdu novel emerged in the 19th century, with Deputy Nazir Ahmed's publication of Mirat-ul-Uroos in 1869, recognized as the first Urdu novel. Among contemporary novelists, Bano Qudsia and Mustansar Hussain Tarar were notably influenced by Farid al-Din Attar, drawing inspiration from his masnavi "Conference of the Birds" in their own works. Bano Qudsia's novel Raja Gidh reflects this influence, echoing themes and motifs from Attar’s classic. Similarly, in 2018, Mustansar Hussain Tarar published "Conference of the Birds. Modern", a novel that also draws upon Attar's masnavi. This research provides a detailed examination and comparison of Bano Qudsia’s novel "Raja Gidh" with Attar’s masnzvi "Conference of the Birds".