Premchand's 'Soz-e-Watan' (1908) is considered the first collection of short stories in Urdu. It was banned by the British government.

Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the ruler of the Golconda Sultanate, is considered the first Urdu poet to compile a Diwan (collection of poetry).

Written by Deputy Nazir Ahmed in 1869, 'Mirat-ul-Uroos' (The Bride's Mirror) is accepted as the first novel in the Urdu language.

'Ghubar-e-Khatir' (The Dust of Memories) is a collection of letters written by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad while he was imprisoned in Ahmednagar Fort. It is a masterpiece of Urdu prose.

Ahmad Faraz is one of the most famous romantic poets of Urdu. 'Janaana' represents his romantic style, though he is also known for resistance poetry like 'Muhasara'.

Written by Mirza Hadi Ruswa, 'Umrao Jaan Ada' is considered the first true novel in Urdu, detailing the life and culture of the Lucknow courtesans.

Deputy Nazir Ahmed wrote 'Mirat-ul-Uroos' (The Bride's Mirror) in 1869. It was written to educate women on household management and morality.

'Overcoat' is a masterful short story by Ghulam Abbas. It tells the story of a dandy who dies in an accident, revealing beneath his fancy overcoat the ragged reality of his poverty.

'Bang-e-Dra' (The Call of the Marching Bell) was Allama Iqbal's first collection of Urdu poetry, published in 1924. It marks his evolution from a romantic poet to a revolutionary philosopher.

Mushtaq Ahmed Yousufi is widely considered the greatest Urdu humorist of his time. 'Aab-e-Gum' combines nostalgia with humor, reflecting on the lives of migrants from India.