Wali Mohammed Wali

Who was Wali Mohammed Wali?

Wali Muhammad Wali, was a classical Urdu poet of the subcontinent. He is the first established poet to have composed Ghazals in Urdu language and compiled a divan.

Before Wali, Indian Ghazal was being composed in Persian – almost being replicated in thought and style from the original Persian masters like Saa'di, Jami and Khaqani. Wali began using not only an Indian language, but Indian themes, idioms and imagery in his ghazals. It is said that his visit to Delhi in 1700, along with his divan of Urdu ghazals created a ripple in the literary circles of the north, inspiring them to produce stalwarts like Zauq, Sauda and Mir.