This poem was translated by Professor Carlo Coppola as part of the MULOSIGE Translations project. You can explore our collection of Urdu Poetry here.

Professor Carlo Coppola, Oakland University

Tarānah-yi jihād / Anthem of Holy War

Warriors, defenders! March on; march on!

On every road, on every garden, march on!

On every mountain, on every plain, march on!

Kill, strike!!! March on!

Make the sky envious of the earth!

Make every crack and niche upon this earth! 

Flow with blood! March on!

Advance this way so that! 

Even earth’s core trembles!

Raise your burning slogans so high that the sky wil1 bum!

Do all this with perfection!

Only the man unafraid of death!

Is happy in this life!

Do not fear this death! 

For only through death is life preserved!

Only through dedication does a soldier live. March on!

Do not fear the opponent! though it be the world!

Raise your banners! 

March as surely! 

As constantly as your heart beats!

March on with happiness in your heart! 

Contentment in your soul!

Level mountains! if they block your way!

Raise your banners on high!

Plant them in the heart of the sky!

Play with Death as if a sport; march on!

Be firm in your allegiance! 

Take war and death as they come!

Swim in blood! Sport with the grimness of war!

Brave swordsmen, march on!

Raise your spears; the blessing of God awaits you!

Even Death has bowed its head!

And has opened the Gate of Life!

March on! March on!

.

 1943

From: Ātish-i k̲h̲āmosh (Fire of the Silent), 1943. pp. 13 – 16

Warriors, defenders! March on; march on!

On every road, on every garden, march on!

On every mountain, on every plain, march on!

Kill, strike!!! March on!

Make the sky envious of the earth!

Make every crack and niche upon this earth! 

Flow with blood! March on!

Advance this way so that! 

Even earth’s core trembles!

Raise your burning slogans so high that the sky wil1 bum!

Do all this with perfection!

Only the man unafraid of death!

Is happy in this life!

Do not fear this death! 

For only through death is life preserved!

Only through dedication does a soldier live. March on!

Do not fear the opponent! though it be the world!

Raise your banners! 

March as surely! 

As constantly as your heart beats!

March on with happiness in your heart! 

Contentment in your soul!

Level mountains! if they block your way!

Raise your banners on high!

Plant them in the heart of the sky!

Play with Death as if a sport; march on!

Be firm in your allegiance! 

Take war and death as they come!

Swim in blood! Sport with the grimness of war!

Brave swordsmen, march on!

Raise your spears; the blessing of God awaits you!

Even Death has bowed its head!

And has opened the Gate of Life!

March on! March on!

.

 1943

From: Ātish-i k̲h̲āmosh (Fire of the Silent), 1943. pp. 13 – 16