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Sir Mohammad Iqbal (1877-1938), Iqbal: Poet of the East, Lahore: Nissar Art Press, 1968

462 pages including 36 tipped-in colour plates printed by City Engraving Company, Hull, 25 photogravures printed in England, 8 calligraphic plates printed in letter-press and 1 etching; each painting and photogravure has the English translation of Iqbal's quatrain on which it is based on the facing page; original padded leather binding with fine dust jacket as brought out in the deluxe edition by Haji Basheer of Ambala Binders, Lahore
13.9 x 11.6 x 1.9 in (35.5 x 29.5 x 5 cm)

This is the special deluxe edition. Limited to 275 copies printed on Japanese Vellum handmade paper. Signed and numbered by the artist Chughtai. This is copy no. 210.

Signed and numbered in English and signed in Urdu by Chughtai at the last page.

Introduction by Justice S A Rahman. According to a publicity brochure for the book, issued by Chughtai, the edition was limited to 275 copies. The book has 72 works by Chughtai, most of which were painted by him after 1950 specially for this work and are not to be found in other books by him. He had this idea to publish a book on Iqbal's poetry in 1953 but because of financial troubles in carrying out the massive and lavish project it took him 15 years to complete it. The Government of Pakistan approved a grant for the book but due to change in government he could get only part of it. The final cost was Rs 3 lakh and it was marketed at the then prohibitive price of Rs 1500 / $315 / 131 British pounds according to the publicity brochure for the book.

Allama Mohammad Iqbal and Chughtai are two great artists representative of the Muslim renaissance in the Indo-Pak subcontinent in their own respective fields. What Iqbal did with his poems, Chughtai did with his brush and colour. Iqbal often expressed a keen desire to have his poetical works translated into form and colour, it was his dying wish that an edition of his poems could be published with the paintings and drawings of Chughtai. This present work is the fulfilment of the wish.

Chughtai's versatile genius has been able to capture the inner essence and spirit of the characters of Iqbal's imagination and to give concrete shape to his poetic conceptions. In these paintings Chughtai has reached the height of his art by virtue of his mastery, technique, maturity and control over his medium.

This painting on the dust jacket is the portrait of a youth belonging to the generation of Mujahids whose spiritual strength, indomitable will and power is etched out as it with the bold strokes of a sword. It has an opulent harmony representing the dignity and the strength of heroic mankind.

Abdur Rehman Chughtai was a painter and an intellectual artist, who was inspired by Mughal art and Miniature painting to create his own exclusive style. He was also an etcher, engraver, architect, calligrapher, naqash (decorative art), photographer, photolithographer, textile, and jewellery designer. He also wrote short stories and articles on art. He designed stamps, coins, insignia, and book covers.

Before Partition, he was known as the greatest living artist of India. After Partition, he was officially recognized as the National Painter of Pakistan. He was given the title of 'Khan Bahadur' by the British Raj in 1934, and was awarded Pakistan's second highest civilian award, 'Hilal-i-Imtiaz' in 1960, and the Presidential medal for Pride of Performance from the Government of Pakistan in 1968.