Ahmaq Phaphoondvi

Ahmaq Phaphoondvi (1895-1957) was the alias of Mohammad Mustafa Khan, an Indian Urdu poet, linguist, and freedom fighter. He is known for his contributions to literature, especially his satirical ghazals targeting the British Government of India. Phaphoondvi spent many years in the Aligarh jail for his active participation in the struggle for independence, including the Swaraj Movement and his association with the Indian National Congress.

Early life and Career Ahmaq Phaphoondvi was born as Mohammad Mustafa Khan into a knowledgeable and respected Pashtun family from the Yousafzai tribe, Ahmaq's ancestors had migrated to the Farrukhabad district during the Mughal rule.

His father established a successful publishing press in 1862, which operated until 1921, when Ahmaq was jailed. Afterward, the press declined and eventually ceased. After the death of his father in 1912, he went to Madrassa-ul-Uloom in Budaun to learn Arabic. Following this he went to the Tibbia College in Delhi, where he studied medicine for two and a half years.

Linguist Ahmaq or Mustafa, was well versed in multiple languages, including: Urdu, Hindi, Arabic, Sanskrit, Pali, Persian and Turkish. He had previously compiled several dictionaries, including Pali-Urdu, Sanskrit-Urdu, Persian-Urdu.