Ismat Chughtai
Urdu writer known for bold stories about women’s lives
- Lived
- 80 yrs
- 1911 – 1991
- Works listed
- 3
- Short story, Novel
- Honours
- 1
- Most recent 1976
- Profile views
- 0
- 0 followers
Ismat Chughtai was an Urdu writer whose frank, witty stories about women and middle-class Muslim households challenged the conventions of her time. Her story “Lihaaf” led to an obscenity trial in 1944, which she won. She died in 1991.
Biography
Education
Ismat Chughtai grew up in a large family in Uttar Pradesh and insisted on getting an education, studying at Isabella Thoburn College and Aligarh at a time when few Muslim women went to university.
Lihaaf
Her short story “Lihaaf” (“The Quilt”, 1942), which hints at a relationship between two women, led to an obscenity case in Lahore. She refused to apologise, defended the story in court in 1944 and was acquitted.
Writer
Associated with the Progressive Writers’ Movement, she wrote short stories, essays and novels, including Tedhi Lakeer (The Crooked Line), drawing on the lives of women in middle-class households with humour and sharp observation.
Films and honours
With her husband, filmmaker Shahid Latif, she worked in Hindi cinema, and her story was the basis of M. S. Sathyu’s film Garm Hava (1973). She received the Padma Shri in 1976 and died in Bombay on 24 October 1991.
Timeline
-
1911
Born in Badayun, United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh)
-
1942
“Lihaaf” published
-
1944
Acquitted in obscenity trial
-
1973
Garm Hava released
-
1976
Padma Shri
-
1991
Dies in Bombay
-
1991
Died, aged 80
Notable works
-
1942
Lihaaf Short story
-
1943
Tedhi Lakeer Novel
-
1973
Garm Hava (story) Film
Awards and honours
-
Padma Shri
1976
Did you know?
-
1
She was acquitted in an obscenity trial over a short story.
-
2
She studied at a time when few Muslim women went to university.
-
3
Her story inspired the film Garm Hava.
Connections
Frequently asked
Who is Ismat Chughtai?
Ismat Chughtai was an Urdu writer whose frank, witty stories about women and middle-class Muslim households challenged the conventions of her time. Her story “Lihaaf” led to an obscenity trial in 1944, which she won. She died in 1991.
When did Ismat Chughtai die?
Ismat Chughtai died on 24 October 1991 at the age of 80.
Where is Ismat Chughtai from?
Ismat Chughtai was born in Badayun, United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh).
What is Ismat Chughtai known for?
Ismat Chughtai is best known for Lihaaf; Tedhi Lakeer; the story of Garm Hava.
What awards has Ismat Chughtai received?
Notable honours include Padma Shri (1976).
References
- Ismat Chughtai — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
- Ismat Chughtai — IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
- Ismat Chughtai — Goodreads author page. Goodreads. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
- Ismat Chughtai — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 2 November 2026.
- Ismat Chughtai (Q3080325) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
Includes material from the Wikipedia article “Ismat Chughtai”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editorial team; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal under our editorial policy
- First published 2 November 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Ismat Chughtai.” TrackFame, last updated 3 November 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/ismat-chughtai
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