18th-century Sufi writer
Syed Sabit Ali Shah (1740–1810) was a Sindhi language poet born in Sehwan, Sindh in the Kalhora Dynasty.
Family and education
His grandfather Syed Noor Muhammad Shah came from Central Asia and stayed in Thatta with Mughal Nawab Azam[clarification needed]. After Nawab Azam's government coup his grandfather left Thatta, and permanently settled in Sehwan, Sindh. His father Syed Madar Ali Shah had three sons including Syed Sabit Ali Shah.[1] Syed Sabit Ali Shah received early education from his teacher Akhund Abdul Rehman. When his teacher went on Hajj, he started learning Quranic teaching from Mule Chaker and Persian from Akhund Elyas. His first teacher in poetry was Makhdom Noor ul Haq Mushtaqi, and finally with Main Sarfraz Khan Kalhoro he became the pupil of Ghulam Ali Madah.[2][3][4]
Poetry
In the final years of Kalhora Dynasty, and early Talpur Dynasty great changes occurred in Sindhi Poetry. He was the first ever poet of Sindh who properly laid down the Elegy in Sindhi language[citation needed] and he was the first to write epic poetry.[5] His first student in elegy was Mirza Murad Ali Baigh.
Death
Syed Sabit Ali Shah died in 1810 (1225[clarification needed] Hijri), and he was entombed in Sehwan, Sindh, where the great shrine was built on his grave.[6]
References