Top 10 Best Urdu Novels to Read

There are multiple novels in Urdu literature, but all of them have achieved the success they deserve. Every writer has written one or a hundred novels in Urdu, but they could not get fame among readers all the time. 

Below we have given the list of the top 10 best Urdu novels. These novels are famous because of romance, emotion and social issues.

These 10 best Urdu novels are not only read but also regularly searched on the internet. The majority of readers of these Urdu novels are novel-loving and Urdu-loving. 

They have a passion for reading Urdu novels. Continue reading is an open source of learning and understanding, and capturing the sense of progress in any field. 

Many proverbs and quotes have been written on reading benefits, and no one can deny the importance of reading, whether I can be in any language.

Top 10 best Urdu novels list

1-Peer-e-Kamil (پیر کامل)

Peer-e-Kamil novel is one of the best Urdu novels. This is widely read and has a large audience. The story of this novel is around two characters, Imama Hashim and Salar Sikandar.

 Being from a religious family, Imama Hashim has to face trouble and hardships from her family and society. Salar is an intelligent character, but having no life purpose’s he is totally selfish. 

His relationship with Imama forces him to change his inner revolution. In this way, the betrayed soul of Salar changes. The writer has conveyed a message through this novel that is true guidance, spiritual transformation, love, respect and sacrifice.

2- Aangan novel by Khadija Mastoor

Whenever we talk about novels Aangan novel will be remembered in the top 10 best Urdu novels. The plot of this novel revolves around the political atmosphere and poverty. 

The story has been portrayed by the character of Aliya. Aliya belongs to a Muslim family, but she did not like it when her family fell into debt. The writer witnessed the political instability environment that was created at the time of the Pakistan-India partition. 

Political moves disturb the life in the way of departure and arrival from one state to another state. Aliya has been symbolised for hope in pain.

3- Yaaram

This novel has been written by Sumaira Hameed. Yaaram novel is considered one of the best novels of Sumaira Hameed. The story of this novel is around love, friendship, family, ignorance and university life. 

The main character of this novel is Amarah, who grew up in a toxic family. Everybody hates and considers curse except her grandfather. Being unlucky, she is totally neglected in the home and family relatives. 

Her grandfather to Manchester on a scholarship, where she met Aliyan and later became part of life. In Pakistan, Amarah has a bad fate, but she enjoyed Manchester and her life was filled with love, education, freedom and discovery of life.

4- Raja Gidh (راجہ گدھ)

The writer of this novel is Bano Qudsia, and this name is prominent in Urdu literature. This novel was published in 1981. The word “Raja” has been derived from a Hindi synonym for king, and “Gidh” is a Urdu word that stands for vulture. External backlink.

This novel highlights the effects of Halal and Haram on human psychology. The plot of this novel is around a character called Qayyum who belongs to a middle-class family and falls in love with to do family of Seemi Shah. 

The materialism and spirituality reveal when Seemi Shah became attached to another person called Aftab, but somehow their relationship failed. At this stage, she is not able to control her emotions. On this psychological basis, this novel is considered the masterpiece of Urdu Literature.

5- Aangan (آنگن)

This novel is written by Khadija Mastoor. It was first published in 1962 and is regarded masterpiece of Urdu literature. Aangan has also won an award in 1963 for Urdu prose.

The story of this novel is set at the time of- Pakistan-India partition in 1947. It highlights the role of women in the movement and their sacrifice, loyalty, love and broken relationships. A character called Aliya whose family struggle to survive in political chaos.

The country was divided into two parts, and this disturbed the family structure. During this partition period, Aliya was a witness, completely an observer. Women have to sacrifice their loves, home, traditions and emotional loss of materialism.

6- Mushaf (مصحف)

This novel is written by Nimra Ahmed. She is a Urdu novel writer and hails from Bhakkar, Pakistan. She has depicted the picture of spiritual transformation through the power of the Quran.

 The main character of this novel is Mehmil Ibrahim, an orphan and innocent girl who is broken. On the other hand, she is beautiful and has a charming personality. 

Her life changed when she started reading the Quran with translation, and the book Quran proved her strength. The writer has conveyed a message through this novel Quran is not just a book, but it is a complete guidance. 

This book has all our problems and their solutions if we read it with translation and understanding. Our perspective on reading the Quran should be understanding its fundamental beliefs. This is the only which can give us the right direction towards success.

7- Ibn-ul-Qalam

This novel is written by Sumaira Hameed. This novel is also one of the best in Urdu literature, like the other novel Yaaram. Sumaira Hameed illustrates the picture of love and marriage, and patience. 

Areej is the main character of this novel, who is forced to marry an old man. She belongs to a financially unstable family and sacrifices her wishes for family customs. 

Being from a poor family, she pursues her dreams and moves forward with patience and loyalty. As a reader, this story is fact-based base and it is our society’s dangerous face.

8- Zindagi Gulzar Hai

 The writer of this novel is Umera Ahmed. Life is not easy for everyone. Somehow, we all go through pain, challenge, love, struggle, disappointment, etc, in our daily lives. 

Umera Ahmed has focused on this in the novel. The characters in the novel are Kashif and Zaroon. Kashaf belongs to a lower-middle-class family, while Zaroon is a wealthy man. 

Kashaf grew up facing financial issues, discrimination, and insecurity, and her perspective towards life is bitter. This class difference remains in their married life also. With the passage of time, they start understanding each other.

9- Shehr-e-Zaat

Umera Ahmed is the writer of this novel. She is famous for It Shehr-e-Zaat, Pir-e-Kamil, Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Alif, Durr-e-Shehwar, Daam, Man-o-Salwa, Qaid-e-Tanhai. 

Shehr-e-Zaat was published in 2002. The story of this novel is based on luxury and material success.

“Allah Ki Mohabbat Ke Siwa, Har Mohabbat Ko Zawal Hai.
Rab Ki Mohabbat Ke Illawa Duniya Ki Koi Mohabbat Sachi Nahi,
Aur Rab Asliyat Dekha Deta Hai. Har Rishte, Har Mohabbat Ki.
Phir Wo Sab Kuch Dekha Ker Adami Se Kehta Hai,
“Ab Bata Tera Mere Siwa Kon Hai?”
— Umera Ahmed (Shehr E Zaat)

The story of this novel starts with Falak, a beautiful and intelligent girl. She grew up in a wealthy family and has an attraction. 

She falls in love with Salman, and he is also good-looking and perfect for her. Their bond could not continue and break relationships. 

This forces Falak towards spiritual transformation. At this stage, she understands the objective of life and turns her life to the creator God.

10- Jannat Ke Pattay

This novel is written by Nimra Ahmed. Jannat Ke Pattay is a spiritual journey that is deeply associated with the reader. A direct relation with God leads to understanding the true identity. 

The story of this play is around Haya Suleman, a modern girl who is boundless in her dignity. During her education in Turkey, she met a principal army officer. 

This officer plays an important role in her life to understand the meaning of spiritual strength. At that time, she was totally betrayed and facing a crisis in her inner growth.

 She learnt the lesson of life, no one can make her happy in life except the love of Allah. She recognises that the principle of nature continues trusting in Allah.