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. 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. 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.

Sabit Ali Shah

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 and he was the first to write epic poetry. His first student in elegy was Mirza Murad Ali Baigh.

Sabit Ali Shah

Death

Syed Sabit Ali Shah died in 1810 (1225 Hijri), and he was entombed in Sehwan, Sindh, where the great shrine was built on his grave.

Sabit Ali Shah

References

1740 births

1810 deaths

Sindhi-language poets

1749 births