Ibn-e-Insha (Punjabi, Urdu: ابن انشاء born Sher Muhammad Khan شیر محمد خان) on 15 June 1927 died 11 January 1978,[1][2][3] was a Pakistani Leftist Urdu poet, humorist, travelogue writer and columnist. Along with his poetry, he was regarded one of the best humorists of Urdu.[1][3] His poetry has a distinctive diction laced with language reminiscent of Amir Khusro in its use of words and construction that is usually heard in the more earthy dialects of the Hindi-Urdu complex of languages, and his forms and poetic style is an influence on generations of young poets.[2][4][5]
Insha was born in Phillaur tehsil of Jalandhar District, Punjab, India.[1][3] His father hailed from Rajasthan. He received his B.A. degree from Punjab University in 1946 and M.A. from University of Karachi in 1953.[1][3] He was associated with various governmental services including Radio Pakistan, Ministry of Culture and National Book Centre of Pakistan.[2][3] He also served UN for some time[2] and this enabled him to visit a lot of places and was the reason of his subsequent travelogues.[1][3] Some of the places that he visited includes Japan, Philippines, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, France, UK and United States.[2][3] Insha got the teachers like, Habibullah Ghazenfar Amrohvi, Dr. Ghulam Mustafa Khan and Dr. Abdul Qayyum.[4] Insha spent much of his time in Karachi.[4] He died of Hodgkin's Lymphoma on 11 January 1978 in London and was buried in Karachi.[3][4]
Insha is considered as one of the best poets and writers of his generation.[3][4][6] His most famous ghazal Insha Ji Utthoo (انشاء جی اٹھو) (Get up Insha Ji, Let's leave from here) is an influential classic ghazal.[4][5] He has written several books of travelogues with a touch of humour.[3][4] His work has been appreciated by Urdu writers and critics.[3][4] He also translated a collection of Chinese poems in Urdu in 1960.[3][5]
Is Basti Key Ik Koochey Main[3]
Ibn Battuta Kay Taqub mien
Chaltay Ho To Cheen Ko Chaliye[3]
Nagri Nagri Phira Musafar[3]
Khat Insha Jee KayCollection of letters[3]
