Ghalib 02: The Loharu Family, Alai علائی, and a letter by Ghalib. Like Ghalibs grandfather, the grandfather of Ghalibs wife (Umrao Begum) was also from Samarqand (now in Uzbekistan), was a Turk, worked first at Lahore, Punjab, and then moved on to Delhi. In fact 3 brothers came to India together in mid 18th century (of CE). His name was Arif Jan. According to Ghulam Rasool Mehr, the Qasim Jan street in Delhi was probably named after his oldest brother Qasim Jan, Ghalibs grandfather also came to India along with these 3 brothers and the 2 families knew each other since then (see the reference at the end). Umrao Begums father (Nawab Ilahi Bakhsh Maroof) was Arif Jans son. Alauddin Ahmad Khan (takhallus Alai), who is mentioned in the maqta of the ghazal uploaded here was a grandson of Ahmad Bakhsh Khan (brother of Nawab Ilahi Bakhsh). So his father, Nawab Aminuddin Khan, was first cousin of Ghalibs wife and Alai used to call her Puhphi Jan (the term used in Urdu/Punjabi for fathers sister). Ghalib was very fond of Alai and there are scores of letters preserved written by Ghalib to Alai. In his letters, Ghalib addresses him with various terms like Mirza Nasimi مرزا نسیمی (his earlier takhallus was Nasimi), Mawlana Nasimi مولانا نسیمی, Meri Jan میری جان, Alai Hama Daan علائی ہمہ دان, Jane Ghalib جانِ غالب, Alai Maulai علائی مولائی, Mirza Alai مرزا علائی, Yaar Bhateejey یار بھتیجے, Meri Jaan میری جان, Iqbal Nishana اقبال نشانا, Jana Aali Shaana جانا عالی شانا, Jana Jana جانا
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