<b>Manto as a Moral Artist in Mumtaz Shirin's Criticism: Text Based Study</b>

Text Based Criticism is a literary approach that focuses on detailed analysis of a work's qualities, both positive and negative regardless of its external factors. This type of criticism examines the inherent merits and flaws of a text, exploring its virtues and vices and the underlying causes for these characteristics. It establishes a relationship between the work and the reader, helping to interpret the meaning and significance of the text. Mumtaz Shirin is highly regarded, especially among female critics, for her contributions to Urdu literary criticism. Among the prominent critics in Urdu literature, Shirin stands out, particularly for her in-depth studies of Saadat Hassan Manto's works. In her essays, she meticulously analyzed Manto's political, moral, and social ideas, which were central themes in his writings, especially in his short stories. In this article, an attempt is made to draw basic conclusions after text-based study of Shirin’s essays on Manto.