Ghulam Ali Hamdani[a] (1751–1844), commonly known by the takhallus Mashafi,[b] was an Urdu ghazal poet.

[3] Before his time, the language known as Hindi, Hindavi, Dehlavi, Dakhini, Lahori or Rekhta was commonly known as the Zaban-i-Ordu,[4] and commonly in local literature and speech, Lashkari Zaban or Lashkari.

[7] He wrote Tazkira E Hindi in Persian language which demonstrates his skill in that tongue.

[8] He also wrote in Hindavi: مصحفی فارسی کو طاق پہ رکھ اب ہے اشعار ہندوی کا رواج[9] Mashafi farsi ko taq pe rakh Ab hai ashaar- e-Hindavi ka rivaj[10]There are ten extant collections of his poems, but it is believed that he allowed others for a fee to publish his poems under their own authorship.

[11] His personal life lacked discipline and his poetry reflects a level of sensuality.