The Institutes of Akbar 299: 74. Ashraf Kha’n Mir Munshi’, Muhammad Asghar of Sabzwar (?).

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He was a Husaini Sayyid of Mashhad (Maásir, Mir-át ul’ Alam). The author of the Tabaqát says, he belonged to the ’Arabsháhí Sayyids ; ‘but people rarely make such fine distinctions.’ Abulfazl says, he was of Sabzwar ; but in the opinion of the Maásir, this is an error of the copyists.
Ashraf Khan was a clever writer, exact in his style, and a renowned calligrapher, perhaps the first of his age in writing the Ta’liq and Nasta’liq characters (p. 101, l. 14). He also understood jafar, or witchcraft.
Ashraf was in Humáyún’s service, and had received from him the post and title of Mir Munshi. After the conquest of Hindústán, he was made Mir ’Arz and Mir Mál. At Akbar’s accession, he was in Dihli and took part in the battle with Hemú (p. 365, No. 48). He was imprisoned by Bairám, but escaped and went to Makkah. He returned in 968, when Akbar was at Machhiwarah on his way to the Siwáliks where Bairám was. He was well received and got a mansab. In the 6th year, when the emperor returned from Malwah, he bestowed upon him the title of Ashraf Khan. In the 19th year, he went with Mun’im to Bengal, was present in the battle of Takaroi, and died in the twentieth year (983) at Gaur (vide p. 376)
Ashraf was a poet of no mean pretensions.
His son, Mir Abul Muzaffar (No. 240) held a Command of 500. In the 38th year, he was Governor of Awadh.
Ashraf's grandsons, Husainí and Burhání, held inferior commands under Shahjahán.