Hasrat Mohani, born as Syed Fazl-ul-Hasan (14 October 1875 – 13 May 1951), was a prominent Indian Urdu poet, politician, and scholar. He was an influential figure during the Indian freedom movement and made significant contributions to both Urdu literature and the struggle for independence. Here’s an overview of his life and achievements:

Hasrat Mohani was born in Mohan, a town in the Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh, India. He received his early education in Unnao and later studied in Kanpur and Lucknow. He excelled in Urdu, Persian, and Arabic languages.

Hasrat Mohani was a prolific poet and writer. He adopted the pen name “Hasrat,” which means “aspiration” in Urdu. His poetry was deeply influenced by the classical Urdu and Persian poetic traditions. He was known for his romantic and revolutionary poetry. His ghazals and poems expressed the pain of separation, love, and patriotism.

Hasrat Mohani was actively involved in the Indian freedom movement. He was a member of the All India Muslim League and later joined the Indian National Congress. He played a crucial role in advocating for Hindu-Muslim unity and was a vocal supporter of the Khilafat Movement, a pan-Islamic political protest campaign launched by Muslims in British India to influence the British government and to protect the Ottoman Caliphate after World War I.

Due to his active participation in the freedom movement and his support for the Khilafat Movement, Hasrat Mohani was arrested several times by the British colonial authorities.

Hasrat Mohani was instrumental in simplifying the Persianized Urdu script, making it more accessible to the common people. He promoted the use of everyday language in poetry and advocated for the development of a simple and straightforward style in Urdu literature.

Hasrat Mohani’s poetry continues to be celebrated in the Urdu literary world. He is remembered for his contribution to both literature and the Indian independence movement. His deep sense of patriotism and his ability to express the aspirations of the people through his poetry made him a beloved figure in the hearts of his readers and supporters.