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AMIR KHUSRAU AS A HISTORIAN Syep Hasan ASKARI Unlike the philosophic Hindus who viewed this world, including human life, as an illusion and had, consequently, a certain disregard for history, the Muslims, like the ancient Chinese and the Greeks, seem to have had from the very beginning a keen desire to know the past and to collect and keep a record of men and events, happen” ings and occurrences, Their innate sense of enquiry and historical consciousness made them interested in the course of human affairs and anxious for rescuing the past from oblivion, They began to compile books containing biographical sketches, historical anecdotes and chronicles of events, public or private. Historiography, accot- dingly, flourished under the early Turks in India. Different types of historical literature were produced in India during the early medieval period, Historical writings of the period were of different variety m respect of style, literary fornt, outlook, method, content and value, The works of Minhaj Siraj, Hasan Nizami, Fakhr-i Mudabbir are so different from one another, and also from those of Haran Afif and others. But they were alf professional historians and have been accepted as such by even modern European writers of history. The case of Amir Khusrau who, besides his five divans, has four ‘historical mrasnaiis’, and two prose works, also containing histori- cal matter, 1s a Inttle different, according to some writers,’ 1s We shall see hereafter. The fact is that the view of history in that age was, as. a whole, quite different from what we find today. The old medteval tradition of historiography that historical works could be written ima special style and night combine oratory and poetry, AMIR KHUSRAU AS A ITISTORIAN 23 determinatives Nowadays we think tht it 1s not the factual detals the mere narration in a dry as dust manner of the series of events that actually happened—which count and constitute history The more important thing is to say how this has come out of that A histormn 1s expected to probe into the causes and effects ind to find out the forces that helped to shape the events as they occured The estence of history lies in an enquiry into the past dedication to truth objectivity cause effect nexus of events ind movements sound and critical yudgement and 1 sense of reasonableness in histoncal interpretation The task of the historian 1s not like that of an advocate to prove or disprove a myyor fact or event but to sift and exaluite the varied and multitudinous source material and to act in the capacity of a yudge and jury He is mainly concerned with a diagnosis of the total situition on the basis of all available and verifiable evidence He must tap and state all his source material Judeing by the standard Ihuid down above ts one in + position to say thet Amir Khusrau made some stgnificint contributions with regird to history? Can one concede about him what Elliot and Dowson have said about Benakiti that he was a poet as well asa hustorin? But a modern Western scholar opines that Amir Khusrau did not write history he wrote poetry * The task of the historian ts to reconstruct the past He seeks to probe into things said ind done so 1s to understind the present and predict the future But the past dtd not have any spell for Amir Khusrau except when he was impelled by hopes of reward and desire for undying literary fame to carry out the buhests of the ruhne sovereigns All his srx historical works are characterized by disyomted themes Jacking m chronological sequen ces by florid fanciful verbose style and hyperbolic tone by artifi 1al literary devices poetic mageries and Iiterary art forms saenfeng persp cicity continuity and accuracy of historical and topographical detauls Looking at Amir Ahusraus hfe and career the formative influences on him ind the operating principles which might have guided him a modernist may justly feel disapp> ated He had a fairly long hfe was posstssed of potential evpacity to understand and act upon his environment: and to ulilise the accumulited experiences of Pprst generations interpreting them in such a way so asgwe them a fealistic h storical pattern and make them meaningful and useful for future generations He allowed his opportunities to lapse History does not involke 75 Amie Khusriu might have thought the assump tion of unintell gibl« and inscrutible ways and course of Fate and intervention of the D yine tn human affairs nor stereotyped deser:p 24 HISTORIANS OF MEDIEVAL INDIA tions of events connected with the deeds of kings, courtiers and nobles, unwholesome eulogium on those who were in power, and condemnation of those undeservedly praised during their life tume, in total disregard of their good and bad, just and unjust, religious and impious actions, The historian is concerned more with groups than with individuals, more with human decisions than with Divine causation, more with the study of the past than with the delinea- tion and appraisal of the facts and changes occuring in one’s life- time. One cannot deny the aptness of much of such remarks, spe- cially if one ignores the 13th Century tone, and the situation and the atmosphere of the age in which Amir Khusrau lived. He has been appraised mainly on the basis of his poetical and prose works, and, undoubtedly, he occupies a very high positron a5 8 talented litterateur and artist which he so eminently deserved But his competence as a writer of history is questioned. Would it be fair, however, to say that his works do not contain all that 2 moder- nist likes to be the concept and appreciation of history. To what extent are we justified in blaming him for his failure to realise the need of a wide historical panorama, of a continuous, objective, critical, chronological, factual narrative, true to facts and morally instructive, and for his not msing above the pride and prejudices, fashions and traditions of the time 2. Did he really miss the bus ? It is true that, as the son of an Amir of IItutmish who was of Lachia Turkist extraction and the grandson, on his mother side, of a high official of Balban’s court and of Indian origin,‘ he had excellent connections in political circles, and had opportunities of observing many of the important events and gathering extremely important hus- torical information from the notable and learned personalities he had contact with, But history was not his prime concern, Religion, love of art and fiterature, search for beauty and the fulfilment of his economic needs by Jegitimate means were his domimant life motives. There was a possibility of his bemg deeply involved in contemporary politics by virtue of his upbringing and position, but as a Sufi and as one of the famous disciples of Nizam-ud-Din Aulia, he was of the world and also out of it in the sense that although he had to cam for his bread by hus literary trade, he kept himself out of the controversial questions and situations arising from the ups and downs in the field of politics and rehgion. He was a man of leaning and intelligence and was capable of handling historical subjects cntically AMIR KHLSRAU AS A HISTORIAN 25 and chronologically, giving a connected and systematic account of the past and making valid fustorical analysis But history with Amur Afhusrau was contemporary history, and, he could not shake off his obsession with literary accomplishments Amur Khusrau has nowhere claimed to be a historian, and has frankly told us that he wrote his desultery studies on important historical topics exther on the suggestion of, or for presentation to, the retgning sovereigns There was no inner urge todo so History cannot be written without some basrs of selection from the multitude of happenings which constitute the quarry Amur Khusrau’s selec- tion appears to be arbitrary and not mm accord with what was inherent an the events and themes dealt with But the principle of selection im most cases was not of his choice, but was dictated He pours forth his eulogrum with hyperbolic exaggerations not only on Alt ud Din, who was great in many ways, but also on his worthless and despicable successor in the Nus Sipihr, ind even in the prefactory® remarks of the faz i Ahusraw: Even the best and the greatest of Sovereigns had their virtues and \1ces, but Amer Khusrau 1s said to have been concerned with alf that was good and he skips over all that was bad = Even a cursory glance over some of the pages of the ponderous volume of® the jaz: Auesrans and over his observation in his romantic Masnayis, the Hasht Biisht? and the Matla ul Anwar,3 in Tespect of women, would suffice to enable one to revise such an opinion about him Many of the connected facts may have been known to him, but he has omitted some material which, circumstanced as he was, might have been embarrasing for him to recall Perhaps he dared not mention in the Afasaint ul Futuh or the Tarihhi Ala: the brutal murder by Ala ud Din of his uncle and father tn law, the mild good natured founder Sultan of the Khalj: dynasty, on 16th Ramazan, 695 He mentions this date as the date of the accession of Ala-ud Din to the throne Even in his unofficial work, the Jaz1 Ahusraw: he ignores the heinous actions of his patron Sultan We know from Baran about the crittcal situation created by the Mongols led by® Qithgh Khawaja and Targht, but Amir Khusrau has nothing to say about the discomfitures of the terrible ind unscrupulous Sultan at the hands of his enemies external or internal He has made no refirence to the uneasy relations betucen his spreituwl? guide and Kaiqubad Mubimk Khalp and Ghiyas ud Dis Tughlag in the Qiran us Saadain Aah Sipihe and Tughlag Nama But before challenging the chnracter and questioning the 26 HISTORIANS OF MEDIEVAL INDIA intellectual honesty of our poct-historian, we haye to take into account the prevailing atmosphere of the days of the despotic, meddlesome rulers and the necd of advisable appropriatc conceal- ments. Partial omisston of some provocative particulars, colourful verbose, literary presentation of facts and characterisation of high dignitaries were permitted by the stultifying conventions of the time, and they do not necessarily mean a tendency towards wilful suppres- sion of truth. In fact, some of Amir Khusrau’s seeming over- dramatizations, or over simplifications or even omissions and gaps do not matter much, for what emerges from his ornate and embellished picture is generally an accurate presentation of historical matters, including some new" facts not noticed by others. Amir Khusrau was aman of religion with a sense of dignity and responsibility, We may not forgive the historian in him for not bringing forward all the facts known to him, but considering his difficulties and limitations we cannot charge him with deliberate distortion of facts, On the other hand, we have evidence that he had an open, impartial and even a magnanimous mind. While writing about the apostates, oppressors and exterminators of the Alai family, regarded as their worst enemies by the contemporary Muslims, he gives an unmistakable proof of a refreshing candour and obyectrve attitude. Those who have gone through the pages of Barani relating to the atrocious deeds committed by Khusrau Khanand his accomplices, may compare his fulminations and invectives against the people deseribed by him as accursed and fou! Parwari outcasts and scaven- gers, with the following verses of Amir Khusrau on page 19 of Tughlag-Nama ; ‘Many Hindus who are known as Bradus had joined him and had become his accomplices in his perfidious deeds Bradu is the descriptive epithet of those interpid Hindus who risk therr lives (heads) These martial people are reckless of their lives and also know how to knock down the heads of others. This class of people are always in the front rank of their rulers, and are ever prepared to sacrifice their les at the behest of their rulers The unbelieving in- fidels, not looking into their futurity, are, in a war fought all at once, hike ten-headed demons. Hasan (Khusrau Khan) assembled and sta- tioned them all ata place (treasury) and put on their feet fetters of gold.’ Again,onp 124 we are told about the fierce offensive taken by those dauntless warrors and the initial success that they achieved. When the two armies came to face each other with firm determina- tion to create cracks in the opposite ranks, conquer and overthrow them from the side of the luckless Khusran, one flank of his army AMIR KHUSRAU AS A HISTORIAN 27 sallied out and rushed like a river full of raging waves. In this furious (swesping) charge they showed such firmness and constancy that one wing of the army of Malik Ghazi was dislodged and overthrown. Having penetrated through the opposite array of forces they fell on the rear. So much tumult and uproar arose among the people that one set of them fell upon the other. Many of the strong and sturdy troops took to flight and every one turned his bridle towards different directions. (But) Malik Ghazi did not Jeave his place with a small company of his troops, for he felt a pleasure in fighting for his life. Besides a single company of 300 cavalry behind him, none remained either in front or at the back. When Malik Ghazi saw the situation he was furious with rage and burst out angrily before those , who were present. ‘So long as my head remains in its place I shall not be alone. I would not look for help towards others for God is my helper,’ These extracts speak for themselves about the sane and sober attitude and methods of Amir Khusrau. But they may not be taken into account by those who think that ‘Amir Khusrau’s figures are either Virtuous or Vicious. They are gods or devils, not men.’ The reference in the last sentence to the prospective Tughlaq Sultan’s reliance on God may be provoking for one who contends that not only for ‘Amir Khusrau but for all medievel Muslim historian and biographers, human characteristics are created outside the world of time and events, that is by God.’ The orientalist: and occidentalist ways and systems of religious and social thought do not always tally. It is the orientalist view that outstanding individuals are important in history, but an Invisible Power also plays, at times, a Iarge part in making or marring their fortunes, The effort and endeavours of men are really responsible for the outcome of events and occurances, but human actions are always subject to the Divine ordination. Ali, the fourth Caliph, said : ‘I have realised the existance of the Divine Power by the failure of my firm resolutions.” The Quran says : ‘It often happens that the armics which are very small in number come out victorious over those which are numerically very large and supe- tior.’ The Western scholars, wedded to the materialistic view of life and actions, cannot appreciate these statements. But historical literature is not wanting in allustrative instances of unexpected occurances. It is worthwhile quoting some more verses from the same work, Continuing his narrative of the second fight, on the initiative taken by Khusrau Khan, on Saturday the first of the month of 28 HISTORIANS OF MEDIEVAL INDIA Shaaban, 720, near Hauz-i-Khas of Delhi, our author says that a contingent of the usurper’s army of probably ten thousand warlike Bradu (also spelt as Braus) cavalry broke through and paralysed the forces of Ghazi Malik, who was left only with 300°? soldiers to rely upon. Nothing daunted, he stuck to his place. His bold stand and brave words inspired some of his followers led by Bahram Aiba, Baha-ud-Din Shaista and Malik Shadi, But they were hardly 500 in number, Let us read what Amir Khusrau has written in the Tughlaq- Nama: ‘When all these gathered together they came to 500 and even less than that, When Malik Ghazi looked in front and behind he found only this small force and nothing more. But he did not care about the huge horde which he fancied was surrounding the umbrella (chhatra), He cried out “God is great” at the top of his voice, am rushed forward foaming (as waves) towards the (opposite} umbrella and its bearer. He delivered his assault, boiling with rage, with such a fury that the entire battle-field began to resound with at. The impetuous attack of that excellent one of faith caused the confused assembly to become doubly confounded..... In whatever direction Malik Ghazi turned his reins, no sooner the cnemies saw him than they seemed to be giving up their ghost. A man suddenly appeared before him and at once received a fatal wound from an arrow. Then boldly, and with a flerce charge, he struck down the umbrella (chhatra) with such a hard blow that it fell upside down on the head of the Juckless fellow (Khusrau). With the fall of the umbrella on the ground the order and arrangement of the enemy and the ceremonial digmty and insignia (carried as ensigns upon the ele- phant) fell in disorder, Hasan (Khusrau) was in headlong flight with his fleeing forces and the trumpet was blowing heralding proclamé- tion (of Victory). Fortunately for the vahant Tughlaq his chief opponent 35 spiritiess and over-awed. But by unloosening the purse strings of the accumulated treasures, and playing, perhaps, on the explosive sent ments of his erst hile fellow-religionists he had gathered an immens¢ horde around him. There were the intrepid, desperate, ‘Braus, arrayed in front of the war elephants.” ‘Ten thousand cavalry of Ranas and Rawats,’ and self-seeking Muslims ‘who had become the attendants and servants of the Hindus and their constant companions and shadows.” In fact his army was so heavily manned by Hindus and Muslims as to astonish both the infidel and the faithful? ‘The Braus, each one of whom was swift and agile on the bach (of the horse), had not fost their heart after their earher discomfi- AMIR KHUSRAU AS A TIISTORIAN 29 tures* ‘Malik Ghazi was standing in the battle field, while his cavalry was engaged im plunder and pillage All of a suddena tumultuous Hindu horde, lying in ambush, appeared to deliver a severe assault More than a thousand of Braus of black visage made a funous onslaught, and the Hind: daggers moved swiftly in shedding blood. That contingent of the Braus force fell on the standard and the rods of the banner were broken into pieces The banner and ensign of Mahk Ghazi were laid low on the ground, All glory to God ‘What a bold heart was possessed by Malik Ghazt that in spite of this severe and surprise attack he did not stir out of the place he was occupying 4 This 18 followed by the lines indica- ting the measures adopted and the efforts put up to retrieve the situation Here our poet lustorian philosophises ‘When fortune plices the crown on the head of a person, his enemy 18 annihilated 1m Consequence of the damage done by him Whntever loch 1s hand- led by him, every one of his fingers does the work of the key If you see with discernment, you will find the quality of capability and fitness sn everything through the ordination of Providence "5

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