urdU prosody (Meters and their Derived Forms)

Disclaimer

This page is still in its formative stages and most of the information is not necessarily complete in itself ... I present a semi-formal, though non-historical, approach to urdU prosody - but it is by no means an expert's thesis. All this information is culled mostly from my memory and the meagre notes from having read Agha Sadiq's treatise on urdU prosody "nikAt-e fann" a long time ago.

Read the urdU Prosody (Basics) page if you need preliminary background information.
Read the urdU Prosody (Modifiers on the Elements of the Feet) for the definitions of the zahAfAt that are applied to the base forms.

In what follows each major baehr (meter) has been enumerated along with the accepted variations. Note that in many cases the representative base form is never used at all! Each meter is denoted using the actual arkAn wherever possible. Note that when multiple options are possible for a given meter those are listed sequentially. This is followed by a BNF (Backus Naur Form) like representation of the meter which is many a times simpler to comprehend. Notes and examples follow the BNF whenever I have been able to think of one.

Use the following links to quickly jump to a particular meter.

baehr-e mutaqArib
baehr-e mutadArik
baehr-e hazaj
baehr-e ramal
baehr-e mazAre`
baehr-e rajaz
baehr-e mujtas
baehr-e munsareh
baehr-e maqtazab
baehr-e KhafIf
baehr-e tavIl
baehr-e madId
baehr-e basIt
baehr-e kAmil
baehr-e vAfir
baehr-e sarI`
baehr-e jadId
baehr-e qarIb
baehr-e muShAkil
baehr-e rubA'I
(The rubA'I meter is not really applicable in the context of Ghazals, however, the rubA'I is so ubiquitous that I decided a discussion on it would be useful.)

baehr-e mutaqArib (fa`Ulun * 4)

1. mutaqArib musamman (eight-fold) sAlim (pure/unmodified)

fa`Ulun
fa`Ulun fa`Ulun fa`Ulun

BNF: SLL * 4

e.g.:

voH Chilman uTHAnA, voH SharmA bHi jAnA;
qiyAmat hae, raOShan!, qiyAmat qiyAmat! [raOShan]

2. mutaqArib sAlim ShA.nzdah (sixteen) ruknI

fa`Ulun fa`Ulun fa`Ulun fa`Ulun fa`Ulun fa`Ulun fa`Ulun fa`Ulun

BNF: SLL * 8

e.g.:

3. mutaqArib musamman maqsUr mahzUf

fa`Ulun
fa`Ulun fa`Ulun fa`il (or fa`Ul)

BNF: SLL SLL SLL SL[S_c]

e.g.:

dikHA'I di'E yU.n keH bEKhwud kiyA
hamE.n Ap sE bHI judA kar ChalE! [mIr]

dil-E KhAnaH_vIrA.n ke maehmA.n hu'E;
keH dO din hamArE to AsA.n hu'E! [raOShan]

4. mutaqArib maqbUz aslam ShA.nzdah ruknI

fa`Ulu fa`lun fa`Ulu fa`lun fa`Ulu fa`lun fa`Ulu fa`lun

BNF: SLS LL * 4

e.g.:

5. mutaqArib musamman aslam

fa`lun fa`Ulun fa`lun fa`Ulun

BNF: LL SLL * 2

e.g.:

6a. mutaqArib musamman asram

fA`i fa`Ulun fA`i fa`Ulun

BNF: LS SLL * 2

e..g.:

6b. mutaqArib asram ShA.nzdah ruknI

fA`i fa`Ulun fA`i fa`Ulun fA`i fa`Ulun fA`i fa`Ulun

BNF: LS SLL * 4

e.g.:

7. mutaqArib musamman aslam asram maqbUz

Skipping the arkAn forms since there are 8 of
them.

BNF: L (L | SS) L (L | SS) L (L | SS) L L

Notes:
Made up of four positions, each of which is an LL. This is equivalent to the maqtU` variation of mutadArik.
Only the 2nd, 4th, or 6th L can be replaced by SS.

e.g.:

nazm-e jahA.n uljHE tO uljHE;
zulfO.n kO suljHAtE rahyE! [sa'Id ShahIdI]

vajh-e sitam kUChH hO to batA'E.n?
Ek muhabbat, lAkH KhatA'E.n! [taskIn qurEShI]

8. mutaqArib asram aslam maqbUz abtar ShA.nzdah ruknI

Skipping the arkAn forms since there are 64 of them.

Notes:
Made up of eight positions, each of which is an LL except for the last one which is an L.
Every even L (except for the 8th) can be replaced by an SS.

e.g.:

dil kI bAt   kahI nahi.n jAtI, ChupkE raehnA THAnA haE
hAl   agar haE aEsA      hI tO, jI sE AnA    jAnA haE!   [mIr]

dUr hae ma.Nzil, rAhE.n muShkil, `Alam   haE tanhA'I kA;
Aj mujHE   aehsAs hu'A     haE apni Shikastah_pA'I kA!   [ShakIl]

_mIr_ ke dIn-O     mazhab    kO ab   pUChHte kyA hO unnE tO
qaqShA   kHE.nChA, daEr me.n baETHA, kab kA tark islAm kiyA!   [mIr]

Ek      tH(A) gul aor Ek tHi bulbul     dOno Chaman mE.n raehtE tHE
haE yeH kahAnI        bilkul saChChI    mErE    nAnA     kaehtE tHE   [Anand Bakshi]

pattA   pattA bUTA      bUTA hAl hamArA jAnE haE;
jAne na jAnE gul hi na jAnE bAGh to sArA jAnE haE! [mIr]

9. mutaqArib asram aslam maqbUz abtar ShA.nzdah ruknI

Skipping the arkAn forms since there are 64 of them.

Notes:
Made up of two phrases. Each phrase is made up of four positions, each of which is an LL except for the fourth which is an L.
Every even L in each phrase can be replaced by SS.

e.g.:

10. mutaqArib musamman aslam asram abtar maqsUr maqbUz

fa`lun fa`lun
fa`lun fa` (or fA`)

fA`i fa`Ulun fa`lun fa` (or fA`)

fa`lun fA`i fa`Ulun fa` (or fA`)

fA`i fa`Ulu fa`Ulun fa` (or fA`)

BNF: L (L | SS) L (L | SS) L L L [S_c]

Notes:
Made of four positions, each of which is an LL except for the last one which is an L[S_c].
Only the second and fourth L can be replaced by an SS.

e.g.:

maE nahi.n tHI jab sAqI nE
A.nkHO.n   sE bHi pilAyA haE   [raOShan]

haEf terA! _raOShan_ tUnE
dil mE.n dard ko pAlA   haE   [raOShan]

mazhab kyA haE?    is dil mE.n
ik masjid hae, ShivAlA   haE!
zamzama:-E      allAh aor pHir
subh-e _magadH_ k(A) ujAlA haE!   [raOShan]

baehr-e mutadArik (fA`ilun * 4)

1. mutadArik musamman (eight-fold) sAlim (pure/unmodified)

fA`ilun fA`ilun fA`ilun fA`ilun

BNF: LSL * 4

Notes:
Offlate, this meter is used more in nazms than in Ghazals.

e.g.:

yA KhudA! tum
rakHO tab merI     AbrU

GhaSh na A'E  mujHE jab voH hO.n rU_ba_rU!   
[raOShan]

2. mutadArik sAlim ShA.nzdah (sixteen) ruknI

fA`ilun fA`ilun fA`ilun fA`ilun fA`ilun fA`ilun fA`ilun fA`ilun

BNF: LSL * 8

e.g.:

3. mutadArik musamman maqtU`

fa`lun fa`lun
fa`lun fa`lun

BNF: LL LL LL LL

Notes:
This is equivalent to one of the variations of mutaqArib aslam.

e.g.:

4. mutadArik maqtU` ShA.nzdah ruknI

fa`lun fa`lun fa`lun fa`lun fa`lun fa`lun fa`lun fa`lun

BNF: LL * 8

e.g.:

5. mutadArik musamman maKhbUn

fa`ilun fa`ilun fa`ilun fa`ilun

BNF: SSL * 4

Notes:
This meter is rarely used nowadays.

e.g.:

6. mutadArik maKhbUn ShA.nzdah ruknI

fa`ilun fa`ilun fa`ilun fa`ilun fa`ilun fa`ilun fa`ilun fa`ilun

BNF: SSL * 8

e..g.:

7. mutadArik musamman ajazz

fA`ilun
fA`ilun fA`ilun fa` (or fA`)

BNF: LSL LSL LSL L[S_c]

e.g.:

kis ke KhwAb-E nihA.n sE hae A'I?
gulbadan! tU kahA.n sE hae A'I! [raOShan]

8. mutadArik ajazz ShA.nzdah ruknI

fA`ilun fA`ilun fA`ilun fa` fA`ilun fA`ilun fA`ilun fa`

BNF: LSL LSL LSL L * 2

e.g.:

9. mutadArik maKhbUn maqtU` ShA.nzdah ruknI

Skipping the arkAn forms since there are 256 of them.

BNF: (SSL | LL) * 8

Notes:
Made up of eight positions, each of which is either an SSL or LL. The most pleasing is when they alternate.

e.g.:

10. mutadArik musamman maKhalla` (?)

fA`ilun fa`il
fA`ilun fa`il

BNF: LSL SL * 2

e.g.:

baehr-e hazaj (mafA`Ilun * 4)

1. hazaj musamman (eight-fold) sAlim (pure/unmodified)

mafA`Ilun mafA`Ilun
mafA`Ilun mafA`Ilun

BNF: SLLL * 4

Notes:
One of the most widely employed meters, this is used by beginners.

e.g.:

nazar mE.n haE
hamArI jAdaH-E rAh-E fanA, _GhAlib_

keH yeh ShIrAzaH haE `Alam ke ajzA-E parEShA.n kA!    [GhAlib]

Ghazal kaehnE ki, _raOShan_, kuChH sarAhat  haE  kahI.n tujH
mE.n!?

hu'E   maShhUr   
ShA'ir     aEse    dard-O Gham
sunAnE      sE!?    [raOShan]

                        kamar bA.ndHE hu'E  ChalnE peH yA.n
sab yAr baETHE haE.n;

bahut AgE     ga'E, bAqI  jo haE.n
tayyAr  baETHE haE.n!    [inShA]

KhwuShI nE mujHko THukrAyA    hae, dard-O  
Gham ne  pAlA  haE;

gulO.n  nE bEruKhI    kI haE, to  
kA.ntO.n nE   sa.nbHAlA haE!    [`alI jalIlI]

terI A.nkHO.n ki ChAhat mE.n to  maE.n sab kuChH luTA  dU.ngA

mohabbat kaEse   kI jAtI     hae
dunyA     kO    dikHA
dU.ngA!   [majrUh]

2. hazaj musamman aKhrab

maf`Ulu mafA`Ilun maf`Ulu mafA`Ilun (or mafA`IlAn)

BNF: LLS SLLL LLS SLLL[S_c]

e.g.:

maehrUm-e tamAShA        kO pHir dIdaH-e bInA   dE
dEkHA hae jo kuChH maE.n nE, aOrO.n ko bHi dikHlA dE!   [iqbAl]

us maE se nahI.n matlab, dil jis se   ho bE_gAnah
maqsUd    hae us maE sE, dil hI me.n jo kHiChtI haE!   [akbar allAhAbAdI]

3. hazaj musamman aKhrab makfUf maqsUr mahzUf

maf`Ulu
mafA`Ilu mafA`Ilu fa`Ulun (or mafA`Il)

BNF: LL SS LL SS LL SS LL[S_c]

Notes:
This is one of my favorite meters due to the alternating LL and SS groups.

e.g.:

gO hAtH   me.n jumbiSh nahi.n, A.nkHO.n me.n to dam haE!
raehnE do abHI    sAGhar-o     mInA     mere    AgE!   [GhAlib]

AzAr-e mohabbat me.n to, hA.n, lutf uTHA'E;
yeh rOg merE dil se, magar,    jA'e to aChChHA!   [raOShan]

nAkardaH gunAhO.n ki bHi hasrat ki milE dAd
yArabb! agar in kardaH gunAhO.n   ki sazA haE!   [GhAlib]

ham raShk      ko apnE hi ga.nvArA nahi.n kartE;
martE   hae.n, valE, unki tamannah nahi.n kartE!   [GhAlib]

aSh`Ar      merE yU.n to zamAnE ke li'E haE;
kuChH She`r faqat tumko   sunAnE ke li'E haE! [jA.n_nisAr aKhtar]

ra.NjiSh hi sahI dil hi dukHAnE ke li'E A!
A pHir   se mujHE ChHOR ke jAnE ke li'E A!   [farAz]

KhwuSh hU.n keH merA husn-e talab kAm to AyA!
KhAlI       hi sahI, mEri   taraf jAm to AyA!   [ShakIl]

dunyA ke sitam yAd       na apnI hi vafA yAd;
ab mujHko nahI.n kuChH bHi mohabbat se sivA yAd!   [jigar]

gul pHE.nke hae.n GhaErO.n ki taraf, balkeH   samar bHI;
aE KhAnaH_bar_andAz-e        Chaman! kuChH to idHar bHI!   [saOdA]

4. hazaj musamman maqbUz

mafA`ilun mafA`ilun mafA`ilun mafA`ilun

BNF: SLSL * 8

Notes:
Hafiz's famous nazm "abHI to maE.n javAn hU.n" is in this meter.

e.g.:

Khabar to ab milE tujHE hu.n maE.n hi apn(A) hamnafas!
nahI.n terI Gharaz mujHE hu.n maE.n hi apn(A) hamnafas! [raOShan]

5. hazaj musamman aShtar

fA`ilun mafA`Ilun fA`ilun mafA`Ilun

BNF: LSL SLLL * 2

Notes:
This meter is least used.
This meter is hamvazn with the matavI maqtU` variation of the maqtazab - except that the arkAn are different.

e.g.:

zikr us parIvaSh kA, aOr    pHir bayA.n apnA;
ban gayA raqIb AKhir, tHA jo rAzdA.n     apnA!   [GhAlib]

qatl hO to mErA sA, maOt hO to mErI sI;
mEre sOgvArO.n mE.n Aj   mEr(A) qAtil haE!   [amIr qazalbaSh]

haE kahA.n tamannah kA dUsrA qadam   yArab?
hamne daSht-e imkA.n kO Ek naqSh-e pA pAyA!   [GhAlib (rejected verses)]

6. hazaj aShtar maqbUz ...

fA`ilun mafA`ilun fA`ilun mafA`ilun (or mafA`ilAn)

BNF: LSL SLSL LSL SLSL[S_c]

e..g.:

7. hazaj musaddas (six-fold) maqsUr mahzUf

mafA`Ilun
mafA`Ilun fa`Ulun (or mafA`Il)

BNF: SLLL SLLL SLL[S_c]

e.g.:

8. hazaj musaddas aKhrab maqbUz maqsUr mahzUf (aKhrab aShtar maqsUr mahzUf)

maf`Ulu mafA`ilun fa`Ulun (or mafA`Il)
maf`Ulun fA`ilun fa`Ulun (or mafA`Il)

BNF: LL(L|SS)L SLSL L[S_c]

Notes:
This is remarkably similar to a tree of the rubA'I meter - with the final LL dropped. Incidentally, hazaj is considered the base meter from which the rubA'I is derived.

e.g.:

baehr-e ramal (fA`ilAtun * 4)

This is a baehr where the base version is NEVER used. Instead, only the derived forms are in vogue. Incidentally, ramal is by far my most favourite group of meters.

1. ramal musamman (eight-fold) maqsUr mahzUf

fA`ilAtun
fA`ilAtun fA`ilAtun fA`ilun (or fA`ilAt)

BNF: LSLL LSLL LSLL LSL[S_c]

e.g.:

naqSh
faryAdI   hae kiskI  ShOKhi-E taehrIr kA

kAGhzI   haE paErhan   har paEkar-E tasvIr 
kA!    [GhAlib]

tU  hi    dilbar  haE 
hamArA     hamnafas hamrAh bHI |

ham hae.n Ghurbat mE.n peH tU haE pAs dil  kE Aj  bHI
||    [raOShan]

maE.n akElA  hI ChalA tHA jAnib-E ma.Nzil magar

lOg    sAtH AtE ga'E  aor kArvA.n bantA  
gayA!   [majrUh]

ab to A.nkHO.n par Gham-E hastI ke pardE paR ga'E;

ab ko'I  husn-E    mujassim  bE_naqAb
AyA    to kyA?    [ShakIl]

Chupke ChupkE  rAt  din A.nsU  bahAnA yAd haE;

ham ko ab  tak `AShiqI  kA voh zamAnA yAd haE!  
[hasrat mOhAnI]

2. ramal musaddas (six-fold) maqsUr mahzUf

fA`ilAtun fA`ilAtun fA`ilun (or fA`ilAt)

BNF: LSLL LSLL LSL[S_c]

e.g.:

kO'i din gar zindegAnI      aOr haE,
Aj   hamnE   jI me.n THAnI aOr haE!   [GhAlib]

jIt lI bAzI-e         dil mar kar sahI
dOstO! _raOShan_ k(A) mAtam   kyA karE.n!?   [raOShan]

jab safInah maOj   sE TakrA gayA
nAKhudA kO bHI KhudA yAd A gayA!   [fanA nizAmI kAnpUrI]

dil gayA tumnE liyA ham kyA karE.n?
jAne vAlI ChIz kA Gham kyA karE.n!   [dAGh]

3. ramal musamman maKhbUn ...

fA`ilAtun (or
fa`ilAtun) fa`ilAtun fa`ilAtun fa`lun (or fa`lAn)

                        fA`ilAtun (or fa`ilAtun) fa`ilAtun
fa`ilAtun fa`ilun (or fa`ilAn)

BNF: (LSLL | SSLL) SSLL SSLL (LL | SSL)[S_c]

Notes:
The first position is either LSLL or SSLL.
The second and third position are SSLL.
The fourth position is either LL or SSL followed optionally by a closed S.

This is one of my favourite meters due to the (almost) alternating LL and SS groups. Many lines intuitively fall into this meter for me.

e.g.:

ShaOq har ra.Ng raqIb-E sar-o    sAmA.n niklA;
_qaEs_ tasvIr    ke pardE me.n bHi `uryA.n niklA!   [GhAlib]

pHir usI tark-e mulAqAt peH rOnA AyA |
pHir unHI ankahe   jazbAt peH rOnA AyA ||   [raOShan]

muddatE.n guzri.n terI yAd    bHi A'I na hamE.n;
aOr ham bHUl    ga'E hO.n tujHe aEsA bHi nahI.n!   [firAq]

4. ramal musaddas maKhbUn ...

fA`ilAtun (or fa`ilAtun) fa`ilAtun fa`lun (or fa`lAn)
fA`ilAtun (or fa`ilAtun) fa`ilAtun fa`ilun (or fa`ilAn)

BNF: (LSLL | SSLL) SSLL (LL | SSL)[S_c]

Notes:
Same as the previous meter, but with a reduced foot.
The first position is either LSLL or SSLL.
The second position is SSLL.
The third position is either LL or SSL followed optionally by a closed S.

Again, one of my favourite meters due to the (almost) alternating LL and SS groups. Many lines intuitively fall into this meter for me.

e.g.:

5. ramal maShkUl

fa`ilAtu fA`ilAtun fa`ilAtu fA`ilAtun

BNF: SSLSL SLL * 2

Notes:
Again, one of my favourite meters, this meter has an uncanny ring to it which is nevertheless easily amenable to put to verse. (This is commonly confounded with mazAre` aKhram.)

e.g.:

yeH na tHI hamAri qismat, keH visAl-e yAr hOtA
agar aOr jIte raehtE yahi intezAr hOtA! [GhAlib]

yahi `iShq mE.n gilah haE, yahi ShakvaH-E mohabbat;
"dil-e nArasA na hOtA to jigar me.n dAGh hOtA"! [raOShan]

baehr-e mazAre` (mafA`Ilun fA`ilAtun * 2)

This is a baehr where the base version is NEVER used. Instead, only the derived forms are in vogue.

1. mazAre` musamman (eight-fold) aKhram

maf`Ulu
fA`ilAtun maf`Ulu fA`ilAtun

BNF: LLSL SLL * 2

Notes:
Iqbal's ShikvaH and javAb-e ShikvaH are in this meter.
May be confounded with ramal maShkUl.

e.g.:

sArE  
jahA.n se    aChChHA, hindOstA.n   
hamArA!

ham bulbulE.n hae.n iskI,    yeh gulsitA.n
hamArA!   [`iqbAl]

mujHkO batA   keH maE.n nE kyA yeh guneh  kiyA haE?

ChAhA  jo dil tumHArA,     tumkO  
jo dil diyA haE!    [raOShan]

2. mazAre` musamman aKhrab makfUf maqsUr mahzUf

maf`Ulu fA`ilAtu mafA`Ilu fA`ilun (or fA`ilAtu)

BNF: LLS LSL SS LLS LSL[S_c]

Notes:
Another of my most favourite meters simply because many compositions come naturally to me in this meter. This meter has a good blend of SS and LL and SL groups.

e.g.:

muddat hu'I hae yAr ko maehmA.n ki'E hu'E |
jOSh-E qadah se bazm CharAGhA.n ki'E hu'E || [GhAlib]

furqat me.n, misl-e gul, mere dAGh-E nihA.n kHilE;
ya`nI KhizA.n me.n raShk-e bahArA.n hu'A   hu.n maE.n!   [raOShan]

sun tO sahI    jahA.n me.n hae tErA fasAnaH kyA |
kaehtI hae tujHse Khalq-e KhudA GhA'ibAnaH kyA || [AtiSh]

is par bHi hamko hasrat-e dIdAr-e yAr haE;
har `aks    apni rUh k(A) tasvIr-e yAr haE!   [raOShan]

lA'I hayAt      A'e qazA lE ChalI   ChalE |
apnI KhwuShI na A'e na apnI KhwuShI ChalE ||    [zaOq]

voh aOr   haE.n jo   marte hae.n bas dEkH kar tujHE;
`AShiq to maE.n hu.n jO bin(A)   dEkHE jiyA   nahI.n!   [raOShan]

_majrUh_, likH rahE hae.n voH aehl-E vafA k(A) nAm
ham bHI kHaRE   hu'E hae.n gunehgAr     kI tarah!   [majrUh]

jis tarh ha.ns rahA   hu.n mae.n pI pI ke aShk-e Gham
yU.n dUsrA      ha.nsE to   kalEjA      nikal paRE!   [kaEfI AzmI]

baehr-e rajaz (mustaf`ilun * 4)

rajaz is a group of meters that have always charmed me by their implicit cadence.

1. rajaz musamman (eight-fold) sAlim (pure/unmodified)

mustaf`ilun
mustaf`ilun mustaf`ilun mustaf`ilun

BNF: LLSL * 4

e.g.:

yeh dil yeH pAgal  
dil  merA  kyO.n bujH gayA, AvArgI!

is  daSht   mE.n ik Shaehr tHA voh   kyA 
hu'A, AvArgI!    [mohsin]

2. rajaz musamman matavI maKhbUn

mufta`ilun mafA`ilun mufta`ilun mafA`ilun (or mafA`ilAn)

BNF: LSSL SLSL LSSL SLSL[S_c]

Notes:
A meter that has a cadence that is simply captivating. (It is possible that the second foot optionally be mafA`ilAn - but that needs to be verified.)

e.g.:

dil hi to haE na sa.Ng-o KhiSht, dard se bHar na A'e kyO.n
rO'e.nge ham hazAr      bAr,    kO'i hamE.n satA'e kyO.n   [GhAlib]

ShAm-e    firAq      ab   na pUChH A'i aor Ake      Tal ga'I
dil tH(A) keH pHir baehael gayA, jA.n tHi keH pHir sa.nbHal ga'I!   [faEz]

3. rajaz musamman matavI

mufta`ilun mufta`ilun mufta`ilun mufta`ilun

BNF: LSSL LSSL LSSL LSSL

e.g.:

Aj ho taOfIq mulAqAt to kuChH bAt banE!
A'e labO.n tak mere jazbAt to kuChH bAt banE! [raOShan]

baehr-e mujtas (mus taf`i lun fA`ilAtun * 2)

This is a baehr where the base version is NEVER used. Instead, only the derived form is in vogue. Contrast the feet positions with the KhafIf.

1. mujtas musamman (eight-fold) maKhbUn

mafA`ilun
fa`ilAtun mafA`ilun fa`lun (or fa`lAn)

mafA`ilun fa`ilAtun mafA`ilun fa`ilun (or fa`ilAn)

BNF: SLSL SSLL SLSL (LL | SSL)[S_c]

Notes:
An oft used baehr. Contrast with the maKhbUn variation of the KhafIf where the feet positions are swapped.

e.g.:

karU.n na yAd  magar  kis
tarah bHulA'u.n usE?

Ghazal bahAnaH karU.n aOr   gungunA'u.n  
usE!   [farAz]

isI    KhayAl       
se haErA.n rahA    hae tU, _raOShan_;

keH naOjavA.n hae.n, mohabbat   me.n, nAtvA.n  
kaEsE!   [raOShan]

rahI.n hae.n dAd_talab unki     ShOKhiyA.n hamsE

adA_ShanAs       bahut haE.n, magar
kahA.n hamsE    [jA.n_nisAr aKhtar]

kitAb-e dil ki Ghazal ban ga'I  terI har yAd |

miTA ke dard   sukU.n dE  ChalI terI har yAd ||   [raOShan]

Ghazab kiyA tere va`dE peH  `aetbAr kiyA!

tamAm    rAt  qiyAmat  k(A) intezAr
kiyA!   [dAGh]

na pUChH mujHse nazAkat but-E sitamgar kI;

hu'A hae ChUr   merE ik nazar uTHAnE  
mE.n!   [raOShan]

butO.n ke qaehr se  hamkO maqAm-e yAs nahI.n;

umId-e    raehmat-e parvardigAr   bAqI 
haE!   [dayA Sha.Nkar nasIm]

sunA  hae lUT  liyA haE kisI ko rahbar nE;

yeH vAqe`ah to merI dAstA.n  se miltA  haE!  
[ShamIm jaEpUrI]

voH maE.n nahI.n tH(A) jo  ik harf bHI na kaeh pAyA

voH bEbasI       tHi   keH
jisnE terA  salAm   liyA!    [ShAz]

baehr-e munsareh (mustaf`ilun maf`UlAtu * 2)

This is a baehr where the base version is NEVER used. Instead, only the derived forms are in vogue. Contrast the feet positions with the maqtazab.

1. munsareh musamman (eight-fold) matavI maksUf maOqUf

mufta`ilun
fA`ilun (or fA`ilAtu) mufta`ilun fA`ilun (or fA`ilAt)

BNF: LSSL LSL[S] LSSL LSL[S_c]

Notes:
The first and third feet are LSSL.
The second and fourth are either LSL or LSL[S].
Not a commonly used meter. Very close to the matavI variation of the rajaz. Also similar to the matavI variation of the basIt.

e.g.:

2. munsareh musamman matavI majdU` ...

mufta`ilun fA`ilAtu mufta`ilun fa` (or fA`)

BNF: LSSL LSLS LSSL L[S_c]

Notes:
GhAlib has only one Ghazal in this meter.

e.g.:

A keH merE jAn kO qarAr nahI.n haE;
tAqat-e bEdAd-e intezAr nahI.n haE! [GhAlib]

3. munsareh musamman matavI maksUf majdU` ...

mufta`ilun fA`ilun mufta`ilun fa` (or fA`)

BNF: LSSL LSL LSSL L[S_c]

e.g.:

baehr-e maqtazab (maf`UlAtu mustaf`ilun * 2)

This is a baehr where the base version is NEVER used. Instead, only the derived forms are in vogue. Contrast the feet positions with the munsareh.

1. maqtazab musamman (eight-fold) matavI

fA`ilAtu
mufta`ilun fA`ilAtu mufta`ilun

BNF: LSLS LSSL * 2

Notes:
Not a commonly used meter. Probably no longer used in urdU poetry.

e.g.:

2. maqtazab musamman matavI maqtU`

fA`ilAtu maf`Ulun fA`ilAtu maf`Ulun

BNF: LSLS LLL * 2

Notes:
This is hamvazn to the aShtar variation of the hazaj meter - except that the arkAn are different.

e.g.:

zikr us parIvash kA aOr pHir bayA.n apnA;
ban gayA raqIb AKhir tHA jo rAzdA.n apnA! [GhAlib]

baehr-e KhafIf (fA`ilAtun mus taf`i lun * 2)

This is a baehr where the base version is NEVER used. Instead, only the derived form is in vogue. Contrast the feet positions with the mujtas.

1. KhafIf musaddas (six-fold) maKhbUn ...

fA`ilAtun (or
fa`ilAtun) mafA`ilun fa`lun (or fa`lAn)

fA`ilAtun (or fa`ilAtun) mafA`ilun fa`ilun (or fa`ilAn)

BNF: (LSLL | SSLL) SLSL (LL | SSL)[S_c]

Notes:
A widely employed meter.
Compare with the maKhbUn variation of the mujtas where the feet positions are swapped.

e.g.:

ibn-e
maryam  hu'A karE kO'I |

mEre  dukH kI davA karE kO'I ||    [GhAlib]

jal  bujHI Sham` raOShnI ke li'E;

"yeh bHi jInA  hu'A kisI ke li'E"!?    [raOShan]

kitne ShIrI.n hae.n tEre lab, keH raqIb

gAliyA.n kHAke      bE_mazA  
na  hu'A!    [GhAlib]

har haqIqat majAz hO jA'E;

kAfirO.n kI namAz hO jA'E!    [faEz]

jAn sE  `iShq aor jahA.n se gurEz;

dOstO.n nE  kiyA  kahA.n se gurEz!?    [farAz]

baehr-e tavIl (fa`Ulun mafA`Ilun * 2)

1. tavIl musamman (eight-fold) sAlim (pure/unmodified)

fa`Ulun
mafA`Ilun fa`Ulun mafA`Ilun

BNF: SLL SLLL * 2

Notes:
Rarely used meter.

e.g.:

baehr-e madId (fA`ilAtun fA`ilun * 2)

1. madId musamman (eight-fold) sAlim (pure/unmodified)

fA`ilAtun
fA`ilun fA`ilAtun fA`ilun

BNF: LSLL LSL * 2

Notes:
Rarely used meter.
This is similar to ramal with the second and fourth feet as mahzUf.

e.g.:

baehr-e basIt (mustaf`ilun fA`ilun * 2)

This is a baehr where the base version is NEVER used. Instead, only the derived form is in vogue.

1. basIt musamman (eight-fold) matavI

mufta`ilun
fA`ilun mufta`ilun fA`ilun

BNF: LSSL LSL * 2

Notes:
Rarely used meter. Similar to a branch of the matavI variation of the munsareh.

e.g.:

baehr-e kAmil (mutafA`ilun * 4)

1. kAmil musamman (eight-fold) sAlim (pure/unmodified)

mutafA`ilun
mutafA`ilun mutafA`ilun mutafA`ilun

BNF: SSLSL * 4

Notes:
Iqbal's famous nazm "maE.n aor tU" is in this meter.

e.g.:

kabHi aE haqIqat-e muntazir   nazar A    libAs-e majAz mE.n;
keH hazAro.n sijde taRap rahE hae.n merI jabIn-e niyAz mE.n! [`iqbAl]

voH jo ham me.n tum me.n qarAr tHA, tumHe.n yAd hO keH na yAd hO
vahi ya`ni    va`daH_nibAh   kA, tumHe.n yAd hO keH na yAd hO   [mOmin]

mere       hamnafas, mere hamnavA,    mujHe dOst banke daGhA na dE;
mae.n hu.n dard-e `iShq se jA.n_balab, mujHe zindagI ki du'A na dE!   [ShakIl]

baehr-e vAfir (mafA`ilatun * 4)

1. vAfir musamman (eight-fold) sAlim (pure/unmodified)

mafA`ilatun
mafA`ilatun mafA`ilatun mafA`ilatun

BNF: SLSSL * 4

Notes:
Rarely used meter. Note the "similarity" to kAmil in the sense of having equal "duration" feet.

e.g.:

baehr-e sarI` (mustaf`ilun mustaf`ilun maf`UlAtu)

This is a baehr where the base version is NEVER used. Instead, only the derived form is in vogue.

1. sarI` matavI

mufta`ilun (or
maf`Ulun) mufta`ilun (or maf`Ulun) fA`ilun (or fA`ilAt)

BNF: (LSSL | LLL ) (LSSL | LLL) LSL[S_c]

Notes:
The first and second positions are either LSSL or LLL.
The third position is LSL followed by an optional closed S.
Used infrequently in urdU poetry.

e.g.:

dAras-e mulk
ast muhammad hakIm

bismillA   ir-rahman  ar-rahIm    [??]

baehr-e jadId musaddas (fA`ilAtun fA`ilAtun mus taf`i lun)

This is a baehr where the base version is NEVER used. Instead, only the derived form is in vogue.

1. jadId musaddas (six-fold) maKhbUn

fa`ilAtun
fa`ilAtun mafA`ilun

BNF: SSLL SSLL SLSL

Notes:
Generally not used in urdU.

e.g.:

baehr-e qarIb musaddas (mafA`Ilun mafA`Ilun fA`ilAtun)

This is a baehr where the base version is NEVER used. Instead, only the derived form is in vogue.

1. qarIb musaddas (six-fold) makfUf

mafA`Ilu
mafA`Ilu fA`ilAtun

BNF: SLLS SLLS LSLL

Notes:
Not used generally in urdU poetry. More prevalent in fArsI poetry.

e.g.:

baehr-e muShAkil musaddas (fA`ilAtun mafA`Ilun mafA`Ilun)

This is a baehr where the base version is NEVER used. Instead, only the derived form is in vogue.

1. muShAkil musaddas (six-fold) makfUf maqsUr

fA`ilAtu
mafA`Ilu mafA`Ilu

BNF: LSLS SLLS SLLS

Notes:
Not used generally in urdU poetry. More prevalent in fArsI poetry.

e.g.:

baehr-e rubA'I

Skipping the arkAn forms since there are 24 of them.

BNF: L L (L | SS) L ((L (L | SS) L) | S L S L) L (L | SS) L [S_c]

Notes:
The classical definition of the rubA'I meter is too involved and detracts from the actual representation of the meter making it very non-intuitive. The BNF representation doesn't really help either! I personally prefer my following generalization that captures the entire meter in three simple rules (and also allows me to scan a rubA'I verse at "runtime"):

1. The basic rubA'I meter is:

LLLL LLL LLL[S_c]

2. Every third L (ie. 3^rd, 6^th, and 9^th) can be replaced by an SS group.

3. The Middle LLL group can be replaced by an SLSL group. (In this case, Rule 2 is no longer applicable for the 6^th L obviously).

In other words,
The first position is either LLLL or LLSSL.
The second position is either LLL or LSSL or SLSL.
The third position is either LLL or LSSL followed by an optional closed S.

e.g.:

muShkil hae zabas kalAm mErA,       aE dil!
sun sunke   usE   suKhanvarAn-E     kAmil
AsA.n kaehnE     ki karte haE.n farmA'iSh
"gOyam muShkil    vagar na gOyam    muShkil"!   [GhAlib]

dil mE.n teri tasvIr li'E jAtA hU.n ...
ab rAt tasavvur me.n ki'E jAtA hU.n ...
pHir jI lEtA hu.n maE.n mohabbat kE dard,
jab KhwAbO.n mE.n tumko li'E jAtA hU.n ...   [raOShan]