Mushafi is one of the most popular Indian poet. His original name was Shaikh Ghulam Hamdani. He was born in 1750 at AMROHA. His father (Shaikh Vali Mohammed) was a landlord of AMROHA. Mushafi had studied Arabic and Farsi languages and literature at Delhi. Delhi was the center of literary activities in that period. Mushafi began composing poetry at the same time and got recognition very soon after participating in the mushairas.

Due to un-favourable political situation, he left Delhi. He first went to Katihar and finally got job in the estate of Nawab Mohammed Yar Khan. After some time, Mushafi agin moved to Lucknow. Again he left Lucknow and finally came back to Delhi. But situation at Delhi was still not favourable so he agian moved to Lucknow and became companion of Mirza Suleiman Shikoh. He got recognition there very soon due to his poetry. He had participate a lot in URDU poetry. He died in 1824 at Lucknow itself.

Mushafi was the master-poet in URDU. He was knowm as prolific poet. He had extraordinary command over Urdu and Farsi languages. A large number of people became his followers. Aatish and Nasikh etc are some of them who recognized as master poets in their times.