Urdu writer Mughni is dead

New Delhi, Sep 5 (UNI) Eminent Urdu writer Abdul Mughni, known in Urdu literary scene as a ''walking encyclopedia'' on Urdu literature and the great poet Iqbal, died in Patna this morning, his family members said here.

Prof. Mughni, 70, suffered a brain heomorrhage and breathed his last at a private hospital in the Bihar capital.

He is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.

A writer, linguist and critic, Prof. Mughni published 18 books, including one on the life and works of Iqbal, as well as translated the holy Quran into English.

He was also an authority on Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

Starting his career as an English lecturer at the Patna University, he went on to become the Vice-Chancellor of Mythila University and President of Anjuman Taraqqi (Urdu) in Bihar.

According to his friends, Prof. Mughni played a leading role in giving Urdu the status of a second language in Bihar.

''Prof. Mughni's death is a big loss for Urdu language,'' said Sahitya Akademi President and well known Urdu scholar Gopi Chand Narang.

Several other Urdu litterateurs also condoled the death.

UNI AS/FZ PK KN1410