10 Best Urdu Novels Read Before You Die

Explore the greatest works of Urdu literature that have shaped the literary landscape and continue to captivate readers across generations. These novels represent the pinnacle of Urdu storytelling, each offering a unique window into the rich cultural heritage of the subcontinent.

Top 10 Urdu Novels List of All Time

امراؤ جان ادا
1

Umrao Jan Ada

امراؤ جان ادا

by Mirza Muhammad Hadi Ruswa

Widely considered the first true Urdu novel, this masterpiece tells the poignant story of a courtesan in 19th century Lucknow. A tale of love, loss, and the complexities of society, it remains one of the most celebrated works in Urdu literature.

1899 Read Novel
پیر کامل
2

Peer-e-Kamil

پیر کامل

by Umera Ahmed

Peer-e-Kamil (English: The Perfect Mentor) is a story focusing on a deviational sect which violates the finality of our Prophet (P.B.U.H) meanwhile, narrating a heart wrenching journey of two unhappy souls; Salaar Sikandar, a genius with an outstanding I.Q who has complicated queries about life and Imama Hashim, an ordinary girl with a stable family.

2004 Read Novel
راجه گدھ
3

Raja Gidh

راجه گدھ

by Bano Qudsia

Raja Gidh by Bano Qudsia is one of the most widely read and acclaimed Urdu novels. Gidh is the Urdu word for a vulture and Raja is a Hindi synonym for king. The name anticipates the kingdom of vultures. In fact, parallel to the main plot of the novel, an allegorical story of such a kingdom is narrated.

1959 Read Novel
نمل
4

Namal

نمل

by Nemrah Ahmed

Namal - one of the most awaited Urdu Novel is finally completed. Namal is a blockbuster Urdu masterpiece of Ms. Nimra Ahmed. Namal is an Urdu novel written by Nimra Ahmed. The writer of this book Ms. Nimra Ahmed is the 2nd most selling female author after Umera Ahmed.

1955 Read Novel
خدا کی بستی
5

Khuda Ki Basti

خدا کی بستی

by Shaukat Siddiqui

A groundbreaking social realist novel that depicts the struggles of the urban poor with remarkable authenticity. It revolutionized Urdu fiction with its bold treatment of social issues.

1957 Read Novel
جانگلوس
6

Jangloos

جانگلوس

by Shaukat Siddiqui

Jangloos is a famous novel of Urdu language written by Shaukat Siddiqui. The novel tells the story of two prisoners, Lali and Raheem Dad who escaped from the jail. The story is created in the backdrop of central Punjab (Pakistan).

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آنگن
7

Aangan

آنگن

by Khadija Mastoor

ایک آنگن کی کہانی ہے مگر سچائی یہ ہے کہ یہ کہانی گھر گھر کی ہے۔ مسلم معاشرے میں آئے بحران و تنزل کو بہت ہی خوبصورتی کے ساتھ پیش کیا گیا ہے۔ اول اول یہ کہانی فلیش بیک سے شروع ہوتی ہے اور پھر اصل زندگی کی طرف مراجعت کرتے ہوئے مصنفہ نے ناول کی جاذبیت میں ہر چند اضافہ کر دیا ہے۔ اس کا پلاٹ ایک متوسط طبقے کے مسلم گھرانے کے آنگن کے مسائل کی بنیاد پر رکھا گیا ہے۔ گھر کی چہار دیواری میں محدود یہ آنگن بر صغیر کے ہر گھر کا آنگن بن گیا ہے۔ ناول کا پلاٹ اتنا چست ہے کہ کہیں بھی غیر ضروری واقعات کو جگہ نہیں دی گئی ہے۔ مصنفہ نے ہر طبقے کے مسائل کو ان کی ہی زبان و بیان سے بیان کیاہے ، جس سے ناول کا حسن اور دو بالا ہو گیا ہے۔ یہ ناول خدیجہ مستور کا بہترین ناول ہے۔

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خس و خاشاک زمانے
8

Khas o Khashak Zamane

خس و خاشاک زمانے

by Mustansar Hussain Tarar

A massive novel declared an epic by Dawn compassing the culture and traditions of Punjab from 1939 to 2009.

2009 Read Novel
پیار کا پہلا شہر
9

Pyaar Ka Pehla Shehar

پیار کا پہلا شہر

by Mustansar Hussain Tarar

First published January 1, 1974

1974 Read Novel
علی پور کا ایلی
10

Alipur ka Ailee

علی پور کا ایلی

by Mumtaz Mufti

Alipur Ka Ailee is Mumtaz Mufti's semi-autobiographical novel describing the trials and tribulations of the early phase of its protagonist's life. The story continues in Alakh Nagri, which makes up the second part of the long novel.

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