30
Muqimiy
Textbook: pp. 172–174
GoalLearn about Muqimiy’s life and work.
New words
national awakening · milliy uyg‘onishsatirical work · hajviy asarcalligrapher · xattottravelogue · sayohatnoma
Explanation
Muhammad Aminkhoja Muqimiy was born in 1850 in Kokand into a baker’s family. He studied first at a neighbourhood school and then at madrasas in Kokand and Bukhara. He worked as a clerk and a ferry attendant, and calligraphy was his main profession. Muqimiy became known for his lyrics and especially for satirical works criticising the ruling classes of his time; he led a circle of poets in Kokand that included Furqat, Zavqiy and Nisbat. Because of illness and need he died in 1903 at the age of 53. In Uzbek literature he is regarded as the founder of the travelogue genre.
Worked examples
Example: 1903 − 1850 = 53 – Muqimiy’s age at death.
Example: calligraphy is the art of beautiful writing; Muqimiy made his living from it.
Class activity
Calligraphy exercise: write Muqimiy’s name beautifully and put two facts under it.
Practice
1
When and where was Muqimiy born?
In 1850 in Kokand.
2
What was his main profession?
Calligraphy.
3
Founder of which genre is he considered?
The travelogue genre.
4
Why is there criticism in Muqimiy’s works?
He saw injustice and need in his time and exposed it through satire.