Muhammad Ikram Chughtai (22 October 1941 â 7 January 2023), also written as M. Ikram Chughtai or Ikram Chagatai, was a Pakistani researcher, translator, historian, and biographer. He conducted research on Muhammad Husain Azad and Muhammad Asad and published several rare and previously unpublished documents, contributing to Urdu research. His work in Iqbal Studies is frequently referenced in academic literature. His research methodologies and findings have been cited in Urdu, English, and other languages.
Muhammad Ikram Chughtai was born in Sialkot on 22 October 1941. He obtained a master's degree in Urdu from the University of the Punjab in 1964. He studied Urdu, English, and history, which became the foundation of his academic and research career.
Chughtai began his professional journey as a lecturer at the University of the Punjab. He later held the position of Director at the Urdu Science Board (formerly known as the Central Urdu Board). Additionally, he worked as a research scholar at the Central Urdu Board, Lahore.
Chughtai conducted research on Muhammad Husain Azad and authored key works such as Maulana Muhammad Husain Azad: Tanqeed o Tahqeeq Ka Dabistan, Muhammad Husain Azad: Nai Daryaft Shuda Makhaz Ki Roshni Mein, and Mutala-e-Azad. These works focus on Azad's literary contributions and aspects of his personal life.
Chughtai made significant contributions through his research on Muhammad Asad. His notable works include Muhammad Asad: Bandah-e-Sahrai, Muhammad Asad: A European Bedouin, and Home Coming of the Heart, which explore various aspects of Asad's life and intellectual legacy.
Chughtai conducted extensive research on Muhammad Iqbal, Goethe, and Syed Ahmad Khan. His book Iqbal, Afghan and Afghanistan explored Iqbal's influence on Afghanistan. He also authored Mutala-e-Azad, focusing on Muhammad Husain Azad, compiled the biography of Deputy Nazir Ahmad, and edited various diaries and memoirs concerning the War of Independence 1857. Additionally, he curated and analyzed the correspondence of Wajid Ali Shah and conducted research on the works of Khwaja Hasan Nizami.
Chughtai utilized archival documents such as the Delhi College register and Azad's pension records for his research. He conducted studies in German, French, Persian, and Arabic, which enabled him to access various libraries in Vienna, Berlin, Rome, London, Washington, and Paris. One of his research areas was the early life and academic background of Austrian orientalist Aloys Sprenger. His edited book, ShahÃÂn-e-Awadh ke Kutubkhane, is an Urdu translation of Sprenger's A Catalogue of the Arabic, Persian and Hindûstâny Manuscripts, of the Libraries of the King of Oudh.
According to Moinuddin Aqeel, Chughtai highlighted the works of three Northern Indian poetsâÂÂMail Dehlavi, Figar Dehlavi, and Aadeena Beg KamilâÂÂfor the first time. Aqeel also noted Chughtai's contributions to Urdu research.
In 1976, Chughtai's edited version of S.W. Fallon's English-Urdu Dictionary was published. He also contributed to the compilation of the Nau Zubani Lughat (), released by the Urdu Science Board, Lahore in 1974.
In 1976, Chughtai's edited version of S.W. Fallon's English-Urdu Dictionary was published. He also contributed to the compilation of the Nau Zubani Lughat (), released by the Urdu Science Board, Lahore in 1974.
The Austrian government awarded Chughtai the Presidential Gold Medal in 1998 for his research contributions.
In 1999, he received the Presidential Iqbal Award for his book Goethe, Iqbal and the Orient.
In October 2022, the Pakistani government approved another Presidential Iqbal Award for his book Iqbal aur Germany.
Chughtai died on 7 January 2023, before this award could be formally conferred.
Chughtai authored books in Urdu and English, covering various topics. He also translated works from other languages into Urdu. Some of his notable publications include:
Chughtai died on 7 January 2023 at Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore. His death was noted by academic and literary circles as a significant loss to Urdu research. Moeen Nizami and other scholars described it as an irreparable loss.