ʻAbd al-Laṭīf, Shah, approximately 1689-approximately 1752

Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai (c. 1689 or 1690 – 21 December 1752, also known as Lakhino Latif, Latif Ghot, Bhittai, and Bhit Jo Shah) was a Sindhi Sufi and poet who is widely considered to be the greatest poet in the Sindhi language. Born to a Kazmi Sayyid family of Hala Haweli originating from Herat, near modern-day Hala, Bhittai grew up in the nearby town of Kotri Mughal. At the age of around 20, he left home and traveled throughout Sindh and neighboring lands, and met many mystics and Jogis, whose influence is evident in his poetry. Returning home after three years, he was married into an aristocratic family, but was widowed shortly afterwards and did not remarry. His piety and spirituality attracted a large following as well as the hostility of a few. Spending the last years of his life at Bhit (Bhit Shah), he died in 1752. A mausoleum was built over his grave in subsequent years and became a popular pilgrimage site. His poems were compiled by his disciples in his Shah Jo Risalo. It was first published in 1866. Several Urdu and English translations of the work have been published since. Bhittai's poetry is popular among the people of Sindh and he is venerated throughout the province.