Akho (mid 17th century)

Akho is one of the three literateurs who enriched Gujarati literature in the Sultanate period. Hailing from Jetalpur, Akho came to Ahmedabad in the 17th century (1600-1655). His poetry bears subtle yet strong satires on ways of life, which created an indelible impact on his audience. His writings depict abstinence from worldly pleasures. He adopted in his life the path of karma, bhakti and vairagya (good deeds, devotion to God and abstinence). He introduced a peculiar pattern called chhappa in Gujarati poetry.

Even today, a tiny chamber of a building in Desai pol at Khadia, Ahmedabad is known as akha no ordo which reminds us of Gujarat's very first penman.