This article presents a comprehensive study on the tradition of editing and textual correction in Urdu prose narratives. It highlights the significance of textual editing, its historical evolution, and the influences of different linguistic traditions, including Arabic, Persian, and Western textual criticism. The study examines how Urdu adopted and adapted these traditions to establish its own scholarly editing practices.

The article emphasizes that the foundation of Urdu textual editing was laid on the principles of Hadith compilation, where preserving the author’s original text was of utmost importance. Unlike Western editing principles, where minor alterations to an author's work are sometimes permissible, Urdu editing strictly adheres to the integrity of the original text, considering any modification a serious breach of scholarly ethics.

The study provides an in-depth analysis of key figures in Urdu textual editing, such as Maulvi Abdul Haq, Imtiaz Ali Khan Arshi, Professor Noor-ul-Hasan Hashmi, Rasheed Hasan Khan, and others. It discusses their contributions and examines the textual characteristics of significant edited works, including Bagh-o-Bahar, Fasana-e-Ajaib, Sab Ras, Nau Tarz-e-Mursas, and Qissa Mehr Afroz-o- Dilbar.

In conclusion, the article asserts that the tradition of editing classical Urdu prose narratives is well-established and has been significantly enriched by the efforts of dedicated scholars. Their contributions have played a crucial role in preserving ancient texts, structuring them on scientific principles, and promoting research-based textual correction in Urdu literature.

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