Roshni Ki Raftar

About Roshni Ki Raftar

Roshni Ki Raftar (the title means “the speed of light”) is an Urdu book of short fiction by Qurratulain Hyder, one of the most respected names in twentieth-century Urdu literature. Her name is also spelt Qurratulain Haider and Quratulain Hyder in different places. The title story is a science-fiction tale that moves through time, which makes this book an unusual and rewarding read for lovers of Urdu fiction. Please message us on WhatsApp at 9906523492 for details of the copy in stock, including the publisher, edition and number of pages.

Lafz Bookstore in Srinagar, Kashmir, brings Urdu literature to readers across India, from classic novels to collections of short stories.

About the author, Qurratulain Hyder

Qurratulain Hyder was born on 20 January 1927 in Aligarh and passed away on 21 August 2007 near New Delhi at the age of 80. She is best known for her monumental novel Aag Ka Darya (River of Fire, 1959), which sweeps across many centuries of the subcontinent’s history. Her other major works include Aakhir-e-Shab ke Hamsafar, Chandni Begum and Kar-e-Jahan Daraz Hai. She received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1967 for her short story collection Patjhar ki Awaz, the Padma Shri in 1984, the Jnanpith Award in 1989, the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship in 1994 and the Padma Bhushan in 2005. Roshni Ki Raftar appears among her works with a first date of 1982.

What Roshni Ki Raftar offers readers

• The title story, a time-travel and science-fiction tale that moves from the India of the 1960s to early modern Egypt
• Themes touched on in discussion of the story include science, women in science, bureaucracy, romance and humour
• Prose by a writer known for her command of Urdu, her sense of history and her independent voice
• A chance to see a writer famous for historical and social novels working in a more playful, imaginative mode

Why this book is worth reading

Urdu science fiction is a small and fascinating corner of the language, and a story from a writer of Qurratulain Hyder’s stature draws attention to it. Readers who know her only through Aag Ka Darya may be surprised by the lightness and curiosity found here. Students of Urdu literature will find a useful example of how a major author handled a modern genre, and general readers will enjoy the ideas without needing any technical background. We do not reveal the plot here, so you can enjoy each turn for yourself.

Who should read it

• Lovers of Urdu fiction who want something beyond the classic novel
• Students and teachers of Urdu literature and modern Urdu prose
• Readers curious about science fiction and fantasy in South Asian languages
• Collectors of Qurratulain Hyder’s works
• Anyone looking for a thoughtful gift for a reader of Urdu

How to enjoy the book

Read slowly, and keep a pencil nearby to mark phrases and images that stay with you. Fiction of this kind rewards a second reading, when small details connect with the larger ideas. If you are reading with a book club or a class, discuss what the idea of the speed of light suggests about time, memory and the choices people make. Reading a short biography of the author beforehand adds context and makes her style easier to appreciate.

Edition details

Title: Roshni Ki Raftar. Author: Qurratulain Hyder. Language: Urdu. Several editions of this work have been issued by different publishers over the years, so for the publisher, year and page count of the copy in stock, please message us on WhatsApp at 9906523492. Same-day dispatch from Srinagar. Delivery takes about 1 day in Srinagar and 3 to 10 days across the rest of India.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote Roshni Ki Raftar? Qurratulain Hyder, the celebrated Urdu novelist and short story writer.

Is it in Urdu? Yes.

Is it a novel? It is a work of short fiction, with a science-fiction title story.

Can I check the edition before ordering? Yes, just ask us on WhatsApp.

How soon will it arrive? We dispatch the same day from Srinagar. Delivery is about 1 day in Srinagar and 3 to 10 days in the rest of India.

Looking for more Urdu books like this? Browse our Urdu Literature collection or explore all Literature & Fiction. Follow Lafz Bookstore on Instagram for new arrivals and book recommendations.