Hazrat) Amir Khusrau (Aslo Khusro):

(The great sufi saint, poet and musician, Amir Khusrau was born in Patiali town in Etah district (Now in Uttar Pradesh) in the year 1193. His father’s name was Amir Saifuddin. Khusrau is regarded as the first poet of Hindustani language that later branched out in Urdu and Hindi. Though he also wrote verses in Persian, but he is highly regarded for his poetry in Hindustani language and his contribution to Indian classical music. The verses composed by him have met with tremendous popularity and even after 750 years, qawwals start their qawwali sessions with one or other of his ghazals, dohas and bands. Amir Khusrau is also credited with invention of table by bifurcating pakhawaj and initiated several Raags as well. Amir Khusrau, revered as Hazrat Amir Khusrau due to his being a disciple of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aula (RA), saw the era of 11 kings from Ghiasuddin Balban to Nasiruddin Mohammad Tughaq and remained a respectable member of their courts. In the era of Alauddin Khilji, he was decorated with the honour of “Tuti-e-Hind” for his poetic excellence. Amir Khusrau also won the title of “Naik” in music. According to Allama Shibli, he got this title after defeating Gopal, who was the champion musician in his era. His

famous doha;

Gauri sowe sej par, mukh par daare kes

Chal Khusrau ghar aapne, ren bhai chahu des

Is generally sung by qawwals when he start their qawwali session. It is said that Amir Khusrau had come out with this doha spontaneously after the death of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia RA. According to historians, Amir Khusrau was on the military excursion of Tabarhut. When he returned to Delhi, Amir Khusrau he came to know about the death of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia RA. He immediately rushed to the grave of the Hazrat blackening his face and said this doha.