خواتین اردو ناول نگاروں کے منتخب ناولوں کا فکری جائزہ

THE INTELLECTUAL ANALYSIS OF SELECTED NOVELS BY WOMEN URDU NOVELISTS

Abstract

In the history of Urdu novel writing, female authors have played a vital, distinct, and praiseworthy role. They did not restrict the genre to mere storytelling; rather, they transformed it into a platform for intellectual, cultural, and social engagement. These women writers explored not only the inner world, identity, and emotions of women but also addressed major themes like history, society, culture, and politics. Their narratives reflect deep insights into class conflict, gender-based oppression, domestic struggles, and patriarchal structures.Prominent names such as Khadija Mastoor, Qurratulain Hyder, Jeelani Bano, Jamila Hashmi, and Saleha Abid Hussain brought new intellectual perspectives to Urdu fiction. Saleha Aabda Husaain’ s “Yadon Ka Chiragh|” offers a nuanced analysis of female emotions and social pressures. Qurratulain’s “Chandni Begum” presents the shifting values of postcolonial Indian society. Khadija Mastoor’s “Aangan” powerfully depicts the moral and cultural decline during the partition. Jeelani Bano’s “Ewaan-e-Ghazal” illustrates the decay of feudalism and women’s changing roles, while Jamila Hashmi’s “Dasht-e-Soos” explores existential and spiritual questions through the character of Mansur Hallaj.These novels show that women's fiction is not confined to personal themes; it engages with larger societal discourses, contributing richly to Urdu literature on par with male writers.