Shah Abdul Latif bhittai was born in 1689/1690 in Hala haweli, Sindh. He was a Sindhi Sufi Poet and was also known as Lakhino Latif, Latif Ghot, Bhittai, and Bhit Jo Shah. He was born in a Syed family (descendants of the Islamic prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatima) and was considered as the greatest poet of Sindh. He was the grandson of Shah Abdul Karim Bulri.
Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai spended his early age in Hala Haweli but his family then shifted to Kotri Mughal. Local Traditions holds that he was illiterate but if we notice how he used to use Arabic and Persian language shows that he was well educated.
When he was 20 years old, he fallen in love with Saida Begum who was the daughter of Arghun (aristocrat of Kotri Mughal) who put Latif’s family in trouble and made them return to Hala Haweli. This had a deep impact on Shah Abdul Latif, he left his home and started travelling in which he travelled through desserts and different lands of which he mentioned in his poems. He first went to Ganjo Hill which is now Hyderabad, then to Kalachi through Thatta and Banbhore which is Karachi now. On this journey he met Jogis and accompanied them to the mountains of Balochistan. On his return east, he visited Lahut in Lasbela, and then travelled to other several areas. Then when is returned towards West, he visited Karoonjhar mountains in Nagarparkar. Parting ways with the Jogis in Thar, he went to jaisalmer Jaisalmer before returning to Thatta and then home.
His poems were compiled in his Shah Jo Risalo which was published in 1866. Several English and Urdu translations were published after that. Shah Abdul Latif’s poetry is popular among the people of Sindh and he is venerated throughout the province.
He spended last years of his life in Bhit Shah and died on January 1, 1752 which was 14th Safar 1165 of the Islamic Calendar. Shah Abdul Latif’s urs takes place every year on this Islamic date. A mausoleum was built over his grave in past years and became a popular pilgrimage site.
