Debi Parshad (1840-1902) was a poet, calligrapher, and educationist. His book Ma‘yār-ul-Imlā is considered to be one of the earliest books written on Urdu orthography by Indian writers. This book has played a prominent role in the history and evolution of Urdu orthography. It is not necessary to agree to all suggestions offered by Parshad about the rules and conventions of Urdu orthography. However, its historical and academic significance is not to be ignored. This short book was meant to delineate the rules of orthography in a period when few scholars had come forward to make their footprints in this field. While providing an overview of the history of orthography, the author has underscored the successes and failures of Parshad as orthographer. In this paper, besides offering bale of references to the contemporary tradition of Urdu orthography, critical examination of the historical importance, challenges and possibilities has been carried out.

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