One of the earliest Persian poets in India, Masud Sad (d. 1121) was born in Lahore, now in Pakistan, while his ancestral roots were in Hamadan, Iran. Most of his professional career was spent as a court poet in Lahore and Ghazna (in present-day Afghanistan). His true talent was brought out when he spent eighteen years in India, in prison and virtual exile, during which time he wrote deeply introspective and moving poems describing his suffering and loneliness. This was some of his best and most pioneering work, spawning admirers and followers across Central Asia, Iran and India.