Urdu Nasri Dastanon Kay Aaham Muawan Kirdar (Tahqeeqi o Tanqeedi Jayiza)

Abstract

Urdu dastan is one of the main genre of urdu prose.Dastan is first kind of story telling and writing in the history of urdu fiction which derived its tradition from Arabic and Persian literature i.e dastan Alaf Laila and dastan Ameer Hamza but it does not disconnect its relation from Hindustani roots(jatak kahanian, katha surt sagar, maha bharat etc) .The time period of 18th and 19th century in urdu prose is called the era of "Dastan". The concept of characterization in urdu prose dastans is very  complicated and erratic.In these dastans we find subtle and highly developed type of characters with all their characteristics and nuances. This type of characterization and the technique of its use in dastan is so perfect and profound. These characters belongs to different kinds(ie Human beings, Animals, Birds, Supernatural etc),and are presented in an alien world where time lacks any natural , everyday cyclicity. But in their actions and feelings they all are like human beings. In this thesis under consideration research carried out about a very important part of dastan. The investigatory and the critical analysis of the Important Supportive Characters of the prose dastans not only differ this opinion that these dastans have not any kind of characterization but also help to highlight the standard of characterization of that era which is usually neglected in urdu crticicism. In this thesis I tried my best to explore and analyse the Important Supportive Characters which were presented in urdu prose dastans and elaborated the concept of presentation of these characters. In this thesis all those dastans are included which are published, having XVI unity of plot and variety of characterization. All those dastans are avoided to include in which most of the material was borrowed from other dastans or which revolved around the same topic. In this thesis, standard of characterization in dastans, capabilities of characterization and how it was differ from the characterization of modern fiction is discussed.Important Supportive Character of dastans are also examined and elaborated according to social, psychological and moral standardization of modern era. This thesis has been divided into five parts. Part one deals with the craft of characterization in urdu dastan(ie Introduction, main characters, qualification of important supportive chracter). Part two deals with the important supportive characters of the foremost and prominent prose dastans(period 1635 to 1800).Part three consists of critical analysis of important supportive characters of the prose dastans, published under the patronage of Fort William College. Part four, comprised of the important supportive characters of the prominent dastans, published during the same period but not under the patronage of the Fort William college and also published after the period of this college. Part five (Epilogue) consists on the collective evaluation and analysis of important supportive characters of these three periods. The objective of the research is to explore and highlight the important supportive characters of these dastans which took part in fascination and prolongation and are most necessary due to their actions, portray their importance and judge the standard of important supportive characters.