This is a selection of the ghazals of Hasrat Mohani, who was a firebrand revolutionary, an ascetic by character, and an ardent lover as a poet. His diction was traditional, but the context of his love lyrics was not. Firstly, he expressed
love not for courtesans but domestic love. Secondly, he wrote of requited love, not pathetic love. His lyrics have political overtones, as his long imprisonments creep in as poetical allusions. Hasrat, even in his lifetime, was a legendary and
popular poet.