Overview

Drenched in nostalgia and cultural pride, Hartaan Pakistan by historian and archivist Absar Ahmed is a deeply researched homage to the patriotic melodies that have shaped a nation’s identity. From the early 20th-century poem "Cheen-o-Arab hamara" by Allama Iqbal, which was first dubbed a Milli Naghma, to the enduring airs of Tera Pakistan Hai, Watan ki Mitti Gawah Rehna, and Yeh Watan Tumhara Hai, Ahmed unearths the stories behind Pakistan’s most cherished anthems. Drawing from a lifetime of collecting these songs—beginning at age six—this captivating volume is more than a catalogue; it's a historical journey richer than any school textbook. Pioneering in scope, Hartaan Pakistan stands as the first comprehensive book chronicling Pakistani patriotic music.