Mashafi

Ghulam Ali Hamdani, commonly known by the Mashafi, was an Urdu ghazal poet.

Works

Before his time, the language known as Hindi, Hindavi, Dehlavi, Dakhini, Lahori or Rekhta was commonly known as the Zaban-i-Ordu, and commonly in local literature and speech, Lashkari Zaban or Lashkari. Mashafi was the first person to simply shorten the latter name to Urdu. He migrated to Lucknow during the reign of Asaf-ud-Daula. According to one source, his ghazals are full of pathos.
He wrote Tazkira E Hindi in Persian language which demonstrates his skill in that tongue. He also wrote in Hindavi:
There are ten extant collections of his poems, but it is believed that he allowed others for a fee to publish his poems under their own authorship. His personal life lacked discipline and his poetry reflects a level of sensuality. He excelled in lyrics but also composed odes and romances.