The Modern Urdu Novel and Narratives of Terrorism: An Analytical Study of Social, Political, and Psychological Tragedies

Abstract

This article presents the representation of terrorism, extremism, and humanitarian crises within the contemporary Urdu novel. In the post-9/11 era, Urdu novelists have profoundly moved beyond mere reportage to explore the deep psychological and societal scars left by violence. By analyzing key contemporary texts—including Zeef Syed’s Gul Meena, Mustansar Hussain Tarar’s Qila-e-Jangi, Syed Kashif Raza’s Char Darvesh aur Ek Kachwa, and Amjad Javed’s Roshan Andhere this study explores how the modern Urdu novel portrays terrorism as a devastating lived experience. Through a literary lens, the research investigates the impact of major national tragedies, such as the Karsaz bombing and the political assassinations at Liaquat Bagh, highlighting the trauma of survivors and the erosion of social structures. The paper concludes that the modern Urdu novel serves as a vital historical and psychological record, effectively capturing the complex "human cost" of extremism while reflecting the resilience of the human spirit in the face of brutality.

Keyword: Urdu Novel, Terrorism Narratives, Contemporary Fiction, Psychological Trauma, Socio-Political Conflict, Humanitarian Crisis.

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22078862