Ahmed Ali was a Pakistani novelist, diplomat and scholar, who was responsible for writing arguably the greatest novel ever written about Delhi. Born in Delhi, India, he was involved in progressive literary movements as a young man. He contributed to Aangarey , a collection of short stories that caused an uproar among fundamentalist Muslims. The book was banned in March 1933, the publisher was raided by police, and copies of the book were burnt in the streets. His other books include: The Golden Tradition ; Ocean of Night; Of Rats and Diplomats; Twilight in Delhi; and Al-Qur'an, a Contemporary Translation.