Identity: Historian, translator, essayist, critic, mathematician, and a pioneer of the modern style of Urdu prose

Maulvi Zakaullah Dehlavi is counted among the eminent prose writers of Urdu literature who, in the latter half of the nineteenth century, freed Urdu prose from its old, ornate, rhymed, and artificial style and introduced clarity, fluency, and simplicity. He holds a significant and influential place among the architects of modern Urdu prose.

Maulvi Zakaullah was born on 20 April 1832 in Kucha Balaqi Begum, Delhi—an intellectually rich locality that also produced great scholars such as Shah Waliullah, Shah Abdul Aziz Muhaddith Dehlavi, and Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. His ancestors had migrated from Ghazni, and his family was known for its scholarly and religious traditions.

After completing his early education, he joined Delhi College, where his intelligence and academic abilities soon distinguished him among outstanding students. He was a favored pupil of Master Ram Chandra and Sheikh Imam Bakhsh Sahbai. After completing his education, he served as a mathematics teacher at Delhi College and later held various teaching positions in Agra, Madras, Bulandshahr, and Moradabad. Eventually, he was appointed Professor at Muir Central College, Allahabad, from where he retired in 1887.

Maulvi Zakaullah devoted the greater part of his life to writing and scholarship. According to modern research, he authored 157 books covering history, mathematics, science, ethics, literature, and biography.

He was also an accomplished reviewer and critic. He wrote scholarly and scientific reviews of many books published in the Aligarh Institute Gazette. His review of Musaddas-e-Madd-o-Jazr-e-Islam stands as a notable example of his critical insight.

In Urdu essay writing, he developed a distinct style. His essays are rich in information, metaphors, similes, and imaginative imagery. His essay “Aag” (Fire) is an excellent example of his expressive power and intellectual depth.

Maulvi Zakaullah was a distinguished mathematician as well. He authored several textbooks and non-textbooks on mathematics and translated important English mathematical works into Urdu, enabling students to understand concepts rather than rely on rote learning. His scholarly efforts were appreciated by leading educationists, including Lord Northbrook.

He was an active supporter of the Aligarh Movement and deeply associated with Madrasat-ul-Uloom (Aligarh College). A strong advocate of Urdu as the medium of instruction, he worked tirelessly to make Western sciences accessible through Urdu, firmly believing that a nation can progress only through education in its mother tongue.

Maulvi Zakaullah was a true patriot who deeply loved India’s history, culture, and future. He regarded literature not merely as entertainment but as a means of moral and intellectual reform. His utilitarian and ethical view of literature is clearly reflected in his essay collections Tahzeeb-ul-Akhlaq, Makarem-ul-Akhlaq, and Mahasin-ul-Akhlaq.

Death: Maulvi Zakaullah passed away on Monday, 7 November 1910 (4 Dhu al-Qi‘dah 1328 AH) in Delhi.