Nawab Faqir Muhammad khan Goya


Nawab Faqir Muhammad Khan Goya, was an Urdu poet, Writer, Military leader and Nawab of Malihabad from Malihabad in Awadh. Under his pen‑name Goya he produced Urdu poetry, and he was the founder of the Estate of Malihabad known as Tharri-Fatehnagar Commander-in-chief of Oudh State and also served as Governor of Azamgarh.

Early life and background

Faqir Muhammad Khan was born around 1784 to a Pashtun family with ancestral origins in the Khyber Pass region. His family later settled in the Malihabad region of Awadh. He mastered Urdu and Persian, although his mother tongue was Pashto. His family had a tradition of literary contributions and patronage of Urdu poetry.

Titles, positions, and service

He was granted noble titles such as Hisām ud Daulah and Tahvār Jang, and held the rank of Nawab. He served as a Risaldar in the army of Awadh and later became the Commander‑in‑Chief of the Awadh Army. He is also recorded as having served under Yashwantrao Holkar of the Holkar Empire at Indore, and as a commander in Tonk State.

Military and alliances

  • Served the Holkar Empire as a commander.
  • Became Commander‑in‑Chief of the Awadh Army.
  • Founded and personally administered the estate of Malihabad.
  • Participated in regional conflicts, including the Pindari campaigns and other local engagements.

Literary work

Goya was a prominent Urdu poet of the classical school influenced by Baksh Nasikh. His major works include: Diwan‑e‑Goya — a collection of ghazals, qaṣīdas, naʿats, nohas and salaams. Būstān‑i‑Ḥikmat — Urdu translation of the Persian classic Anvar‑e‑Suhaili.

Horticulture and mango orchards

Faqir Muhammad Khan Goya is credited with pioneering mango cultivation in Malihabad. He fell in love with the region's soil and climate and obtained permission to establish mango orchards there. He is credited with introducing and developing mango varieties including Jauhari Safeda, Lucknowa and others.

Legacy

His estate in Malihabad became a hub for poetry and horticulture. He is an ancestor of later renowned Urdu poets, including Josh Malihabadi.

Death

Faqir Muhammad Khan Goya is died around 1850 in Malihabad.