An Analysis of Ethical and Social Concepts in the Poetry of Mir Bahadur Wasifi

Abstract

The exploration of ethical and social themes in the poetry of Dari-language poets has a long-standing tradition, with numerous studies conducted on the works of classical poets. Concepts such as benevolence and charity, resistance to oppression, goodwill, chivalry and generosity, humanism, humility and modesty, avoidance of hypocrisy and duplicity, affability and kindness are among the themes addressed by poets across various periods, from the past to the present. One of the contemporary Dari poets of Afghanistan who has received relatively little scholarly attention and remains somewhat underrecognized is Mir Bahadur Wasifi, a poet from the land of lapis lazuli—Badakhshan. This empathetic poet and fellow townsman of Hujjat Khorasan (Nasir Khusraw Balkhi) vividly portrays his social reflections through ethical themes in his poetry. This study aims to analyze and examine the ethical and social concepts found in the collected works (Divan) of Mir Bahadur Wasifi, an area that has so far received limited academic focus. Employing a descriptive-analytical method, the research reveals that Mir Bahadur Wasifi assigns particular significance to moral values and social principles in his poetic expressions.