KARACHI, Feb 21: Noted research scholar Mushfiq Khwaja, whose monumental work on Urdu manuscripts earned him a permanent place in the world of literature, died of renal failure on Monday night. He was 70.

Born on Dec 19, 1935, in Lahore, Mushfiq Khwaja (Khwaja Abdul Hai) did his matric in 1952. He obtained a Master's degree in Urdu literature from Karachi University in 1958. He teamed up with Ibne Insha to bring out Karachi University's first magazine. His father, Khwaja Abdul Waheed, was a well-known scholar on Islamiyat and Iqbaliyat.

Winning the approbation of Baba-i-Urdu Maulvi Abdul Haq, Mr Khwaja joined the Anjuman Taraqui Urdu in 1957 where he worked till 1973. At the Anjuman, Mr Khwaja edited the quarterly 'Urdu' and monthly 'Qaumi Zuban'. He also headed the departments tasked to compile an encyclopaedia of publications. He supervised research activities and brought out books.

He edited two volumes of Tazkira-i-Khush Marka-i-Zaiba by Saadat Khan Nasir. The books were published by Majlis-i-Taraqui Adab, Lahore, in 1970 and 1972. In 1978, came out Mr Khwaja's anthology of poems titled 'Abiyat'.

He brought out the Unesco-sponsored survey of Urdu manuscripts in 1979. The painstakingly researched catalogue, containing 1,248 pages, was called 'Jaiza-i-Makhtutat-i-Urdu'.

Mr Khwaja also edited 'Iqbal' by Ahmed Deen. The book, which raised many hackles when it was first published, came out in 1979. In 1981, Mr Khwaja wrote a book on 'Ghalib and Safir Bilgrami'. Ten years later, his research articles came out in book form. The book was titled 'Tehqeeqnama'.

In 2003, Mr Khwaja pulled off a great feat of erudition by writing a book on Yaas Yagana Changezi and editing his poetic works. Mr Khwaja, who did not have children, is survived by his wife Amina Mushfiq.