Histories and Historiography: Problem of National History in Äg kā Daryā

Qurratulain Hyder in Äg kā Daryā challenged the historical narrative constructed by colonial powers. In the post-colonial era, the history of the languages of the nation-states (of India and Pakistan) was Orientalist in nature. Modern history has challenged the continuity of poetry tradition and forms and genres used to convey the past. This modern way of writing history is being questioned by Hyder through Äg kā Daryā, interestingly through modern novel (Prose) form, which also defines Urdu's post-colonial novel form's strength and comprehensiveness in the World literature's debate context. This new historiography does not address problems of origin, nor does it question pre-colonial methods of recording history and the significance of this history for culture, society, and civilization. As an Urdu writer, Hyder becomes problematic for the national culture of India and Pakistan, as Urdu lends itself to both nations' historical and cultural identities. Hyder wrote in "high Urdu" (but not Arabicized Urdu). This language already posed a challenge for India and Pakistan when they emerged as new nations, and even writing Hindu and Buddhist religious texts in the Urdu novel became problematic. Hyder also rightly described Urdu as the language of exile. This Article broadly addresses the question of historiography, modernity, Urdu language, culture and civilization.