1844 (Meerut) – 1917 (Meerut) • The Educationalist
"Often considered the unsung hero of modern Urdu education, Ismail Merathi's impact is profound; anyone who has studied primary Urdu in the subcontinent has likely read his work. He revolutionized children's literature by composing simple, highly rhythmic nazms and moral fables about nature, animals, and basic ethics. His pioneering educational poetry significantly shaped the Urdu school curriculum for generations of young students."