260. Ras Khan (1548-1628 A.D.)

Ras Khan was an Indian Sufi Muslim poet who became a devotee of the Hindu deity Krishna. He was either born in Pihani (Hardoi) or Amroha, in modern-day Uttar Pradesh, India. His original name was Saiyad Ibrahim and Raskhan was his takhallus (pen name) in Hindi. In his early years, he became a follower of Krishna, learned the bhakti marga. Ras Khan was a disciple of Gosai Vithal Das and it was under his influence that he became a devotee of Krishna and composed beautiful songs for his friend Krishna and began living in Vrindavan, where he spent the rest of his life. He accepted Krishna as the supreme god (Svayam Bhagavan) and became a Vaishnava. Raskhan was the son of a jagirdar (rich landowner)and lived in luxury in his youth. His family was prosperous, for this reason, Raskhan's childhood was spent in happiness and affection. There was no shortage in the house.