Intikhab-e-Kalam: Shaifta

This is a representative selection of Nawab Mustafa Khan Shaifta’s poetry. Shaifta wrote his verse both in Urdu and Persian, and assumed two poetic names, Shaifta for Urdu verse, and Hasrati for his Persian poetry. He also wrote a history of Urdu poets under the title: Gulshan-e-Baykhaar. Half way through life Shaifta turned away from romance to religion. He undertook a pilgrimage to Mecca which was completed in two years. He was a patron of poets and his house was the hub of poetic activity, a favourite venue for Mushairas. His poetry, though it deals with the conventional themes of love and romance, is remarkable for the sincerity and frankness of sentiment, alacrity and aptness of style, a pleasing musicality, and an easy accessibility. Among the famous men who admired his poetic genius may be included Ghalib, Hali and Hasrat Mohani.