Danish (birth name: Ehsan-ul-Haq) was born in Maulanan Kandhla, a small town in the Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh, India. He belonged to a poor family and he could not continue his studies due to financial reasons but still learned the Arabic and Persian languages on his own. His father's name was Danish Ali.[1][3] Later he migrated to Lahore and settled there permanently. He struggled very hard to earn his living. He worked as an ordinary labourer for years in odd jobs,[3] finally becoming a poet of excellence. His autobiography, Jahan-i-Danish, is a classic and has inspired many people.[3] Danish wrote more than 80 books and hundreds of articles[3] about and including poetry, prose, linguistics, philology, autobiographies and the famous interpretation of "Diwan-e-Ghalib". Much of his literary work is still unpublished.[2]>
He died on 22 March 1982 in Lahore and was laid to rest at Miani Sahib Graveyard. His poetry and writings about the dignity of labour earned him the title of 'Shaer-i-Mazdoor' (poet of the labourers).[3][1][5]
Ehsan Danish was a prolific prose writer and had contributed hundred of articles, essays and books in the domain of Urdu prose. Ehsan Danish autobiography "Jahan-e-danish" is a splendid masterpiece in Urdu literature. Jahan-e-Danish was first published in 1973 by Ehsan Danish in Lahore, Pakistan and duly received Adam Ji literary award in recognition of its literary value and linguistic stature. The language, diction, realism, sincerity and above all a unique classical flavor of language and literature elevates this autobiography at the highest position in the realm of Urdu autobiographies.[1]
Ehsan Danish was titled Poet-Laborer (Shair-e-Mazdoor) due to his revolutionary, passionate and novel poems for the laborers, the poor people and the oppressed. He had presented stark realities about the labor class in a powerful and unique style. He was initially impressed with the poet Josh Malihabadi's style of poetry.[1][5]