University of the Punjab.

Urdu, the representative language of the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent and the national language of Pakistan, is a vibrant repository of culture, literature, and intellectual heritage.
Enriched by centuries of linguistic interaction with Persian, Arabic, Turkish, and indigenous languages, it has developed into a language celebrated for its eloquence, literary depth, and aesthetic sophistication.
The Department of Urdu at Oriental College, University of the Punjab, Lahore, was formally established in 1928 as a research department and became a full-fledged teaching unit in 1948, soon after the independence of Pakistan. As a pioneering institution, it laid the foundations for higher education in Urdu and systematized the discipline of Urdu studies at an advanced academic level.
The Oriental College itself, founded in 1870 originally as Madrasa-e-‘Uloom-e-Mashriqiya and renamed two years later, has long been recognized as a premier seat of oriental learning in the Subcontinent. It was established for the promotion of Eastern languages and literature alongside modern sciences, and over time it has produced generations of renowned scholars, critics, and writers.In 2021 Department of Urdu upgraded to Institute Of Urdu Language and Literature.
Contribution to Research and Scholarship
A distinguished legacy of research in Urdu also began here. Professor Hafiz Mehmood Khan Shirani, rightly regarded as the first teacher of Urdu research, introduced and institutionalized scholarly investigation in Urdu literature during his tenure at Oriental College. Since then, the Department has played a central role in the editing and critical study of classical Urdu texts, producing invaluable contributions that remain a golden chapter of Urdu’s literary history.
At the same time, the institute has provided leading interpretations of new trends in contemporary literature, demonstrating its commitment not to conflict between classical and modern traditions but to their meaningful synthesis. In this way, the Institute has consistently bridged the gap between tradition and innovation in Urdu studies.
Distinguished Faculty and Intellectual Legacy
Many celebrated figures of Urdu language and literature have been associated with the Department, whether as permanent faculty or as visiting scholars. Among its distinguished professors are Dr.Syed Muhammad Abdullah, Syed Waqar Azeem, Dr.Ebadat Barelvi, Dr. Abu al-Lais Siddiqui, Dr. Waheed Qureshi, Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad Siddiqui, Dr. Ghulam Hussain Zulfiqar, Dr. Nazir Hasan Zaidi, Dr. Ubaidullah Khan, Dr. Sajad Baqar Rizvi, and Dr. Suhail Ahmad Khan.
Prominent intellectuals such as Sir Abdul Qadir, Khwaja Muhammad Shafi Dehlavi, Maulana Muhammad Yahya Tanha, Sufi Ghulam Mustafa Tabassum, Maulana Alam Din Salik, Syed Abid Ali Abid, Muhammad Tahir Faruqi, Qayyum Nazar, Dr. Muhammad Sadiq, and Sabir Lodhi have also enriched its academic traditions as visiting faculty.Dr. Khwaja Muhammad Zakariya, Dr.Sohail Ahmed, Dr.Tehseen Firaqi, Dr.Marghoob Hussain Tahir, Dr.Fakharul Haq noori, Graced this institute As teachers.
Through their contributions, the Department of Urdu has earned a leading place in South Asian literary scholarship.
Academic Programs and International Engagement
The Department offers a wide range of programs including BS, M.Phil, Ph.D., Certificate, Diploma, and Advanced Diploma courses, regularly serving both local and foreign students. These programs are designed to promote not only classical studies but also modern approaches to literature, criticism, and research.
In recent years, under the framework of Pakistan’s modern educational policy, BS classes in Urdu have also been launched. The faculty members of the Department continue to bring recognition to both the institute and the University at the international level by participating in conferences, seminars, and securing prestigious postdoctoral fellowships abroad.
In 2025, under the vision of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr. Muhammad Ali Shah, and the leadership of the Director, Dr. Baseera Ambreen, the Department of Urdu inaugurated its own Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. This milestone initiative has attracted a large number of scholars and experts in Urdu from across the country, further strengthening the Department’s role as a national hub for advanced research and scholarship.
The Institute of Urdu Language and Literature is committed to fostering the academic, intellectual, and professional development of its students through a wide range of curricular and co-curricular activities. The Institute regularly organizes guest lectures, academic workshops, student presentations, international and national conferences, faculty seminars, and weekly literary sittings featuring distinguished scholars, writers, poets, and literary figures. To promote critical thinking and cultural engagement, students actively participate in film screenings, poetry readings, debate competitions, literary festivals, and conversation circles with native speakers. In addition, the Institute offers comprehensive student support services, including academic advising, writing and communication assistance, language tutoring, and career counseling for language-related professions. Internship placement assistance is also provided to help students gain practical experience and strengthen their professional competencies. Through these initiatives, the Institute cultivates an intellectually stimulating learning environment that encourages academic excellence, creativity, research, and lifelong learning.