The ghazal—a poetic form rooted in Persian literary traditions—transformed into a musical genre under the Mughals, particularly enriched by poets like Wali Mohammed Wali, who localized it into Urdu, and later by stalwarts like Mirza Ghalib.

Mughal patronage also nurtured music, blending Indo-Persian elements and giving rise to Hindustani classical styles. This cultural syncretism enabled ghazals to be performed in musical settings such as mehfils, shifting from literature to melody.

In the 20th century, ghazals entered public consciousness through cinema and popular playback. Legends like Begum Akhtar, Jagjit Singh, and Pankaj Udhas delivered ghazals with evocative vocals and accessible arrangements that resonated with mass audiences.

Today, ghazals continue to evolve. Artists like Rekha Bhardwaj and Papon infuse the genre with contemporary indie, jazz, and fusion styles—preserving its emotional core while bringing it into modern sonic landscapes.