Identity: A renowned historian of the subcontinent, translator, poet, and an active member of Anjuman Tarraqi Urdu.

Syed Hashmi Faridabadi was born on January 30, 1890, into a respected Sadat family in Faridabad, a suburb of Delhi. His father, Nawab Syed Ahmed Shafi, was among the prominent elites of Delhi, while his mother was the daughter of Nawab Alai, the ruler of Loharu State. He completed his B.A. from Aligarh Muslim University. During his time at Aligarh, he wrote passionate poems on the occasion of the Balkan War, among which the inspiring poem "Balkan Chal, Balkan Chal" became immensely popular. Due to these political and nationalistic activities, he was expelled from the college, after which he dedicated himself entirely to Urdu literature.

In 1917, Hashmi Sahib joined the service of the Hyderabad State. He was among the first six translators appointed to the history department at the Dar-ul-Tarjuma (Translation Bureau) of Osmania University. He served as a translator at the Dar-ul-Tarjuma for 17 years (1917 to 1934), during which he authored and translated numerous books. In terms of the volume of work, he is considered the second-most prolific translator of the Dar-ul-Tarjuma. Later, he also served as Assistant Secretary (Home and Judicial Affairs).

His association with Maulvi Abdul Haq (Baba-e-Urdu) spanned 40 years. He rendered exemplary services to the Anjuman in Aurangabad, Delhi, and after the Partition, in Karachi. He served as the Joint Secretary of the Anjuman, editor of the journal Urdu, and supervisor of Qaumi Zaban. Hashmi Sahib was such a close confidant of Maulvi Abdul Haq that Baba-e-Urdu would rarely undertake any task without his counsel. However, in the final years of his life, certain reasons led to a misunderstanding with Maulvi Sahib, following which Hashmi Sahib quietly moved to Lahore.

Hashmi Faridabadi was a distinguished prose writer and historian. His major works include:

Tarikh-e-Musalman-e-Pakistan-o-Bharat: A two-volume work that became part of the educational curriculum.

Tarikh-e-Millat-e-Arabi: An excellent Urdu translation of Philip Hitti's famous book, History of the Arabs.

Panjah Sala Tarikh Anjuman Tarraqi Urdu: A complete chronicle of the fifty-year academic and literary struggle of the Anjuman.

Ma'asir-e-Lahore: An authoritative book on the archaeological sites of Lahore.

Seh Nazm-e-Hashmi: His brief collection of poetry.

Hashmi Sahib was a reclusive person who preferred staying away from fame. His conversation was scholarly and captivating. After moving to Lahore, he remained associated with the Encyclopaedia of Islam project at Punjab University and the Institute of Islamic Culture.

Death: He passed away on July 19, 1964, in Lahore.