Pran Pandit
The book titled “A Muslim Missionary in Medieval Kashmir-being the English Translation of “Tohfatu’l-Ahbab” has hit the stalls. An outstanding scholar of history, Persian literature, a renowned man of letters and a celebrated linguist, Padamshri Dr. Kashinath Pandit, has brought before the readers ‘a vivid picture of bygone age’ through the book. The author of the book, a former Professor of the PG department of the University of Kashmir and erstwhile Director of the Centre for Central Asian Studies, has earlier published many awe-inspiring books and the notable creative works of the prolific writer include “Iran and Central Asia”, “My Tajik Friends”, “Hafiz ki Shairi” and annotated English Translation of “Baharistan-i-Shahi, a history of mediaeval Kashmir”!
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“Manshoor-i-Saadat” by Faizul-Haq Hussaini, “Tarikh-e-Syed Ali”, “Majlis-ul-Mumineen” and various other books carry an account of the influx of Muslim Missionaries, from South and central Asia, who came to Kashmir for the propagation of Islam in and around 14th century A.D; and Syed Sharaf-ud-Din, popularly known as “Bulbul Shah” , Hazrat Mir syed Ali Hamdani, popularly known as “Shah-e-Hamdan”, and, many others who visited the valley of Kashmir for the propagation of Islam are few among them. The Historians have, however, left no comprehensive account of many Muslim missionaries in the valley during the first 700 years of the Hijra era. “Tohfatu’l-Ahbab”, a book written in Persian language, gives an account of how the Muslim Missionaries, vying with their Arab counterparts, took upon themselves the onerous task of redesigning the social structure of the vulnerable society of Kashmir after the disrupted trading network of Asian continent, due to the 13th century Mongol incursions, which provided a suitable environment for intruders and intriguers to overthrow the 2000-year old Hindu-rule in Kashmir. The book is a complete record of the mission of Shamsu’d Din Araki, the founder of Nurbakhshiyyeh Sufi order in Kashmir, who took the lead in this enterprise in 1477 A.D.
Shamus’s-Din Araki, an Iranian Shi’a Muslim Missionary of Nurbakhshiyyeh order came to Kashmir for propagation of Islam in 1477 A.D. The biography of Shamus’s-Din Araki has been written by Muhammad Ali Kashmiri in his Persian book titled “Tohfatu’l-Ahbab”.
A Muslim Missionary in Medieval Kashmir-being the English Translation of “Tohfatu’l-Ahbab” is not mere translation-work of a book from one language to another. I see the book as research-based academic pursuit to bring to fore some unknown or less-known historical facts about medieval Kashmir, based on the exhaustive study of the Persian book titled “Tohfatu’l-Ahbab”. The author has not limited his academic exercise to plain translation of the book but has gone for a scholarly research exercise in exploring the topical, analytical and descriptive aspects which is evident from his writing a 72-page chapter on the introduction, touching various facts and facets, besides the annotations/ foot-notes, listed the books in the bibliography which clarify the points made in the translated text.
The author of the book, Dr. Kashinath Pandit has complete mastery over the two languages, English and Persian both, and, therefore, it can be safely said that the author of his calibre and veracity has strictly adhered to ‘the text, the whole text, and nothing but the text’, the basic rule of translation, for maintaining genuineness and authenticity.
In addition to 72-page Acknowledgement and introduction, the book has 05 chapters, spread over 290 pages. Its layout and composition is superb with beautiful colour-scheming of the front and back cover on Art-Card. Chapter-1 (Page 1-64) is about Shamsu’d Din Araki and Nurbakhshi preceptors. This is an account of Araki’s birth in Kandaleh (in the town of Khurasan) and his belonging to “Safaviyyah” which possessed the territory from the ancient times; Chapter-2 (Page 65-164) is about Araki’s first visit to Kashmir, his exhibition of miracles and returning back home; Chapter-3 (Page 147-189) is in three parts which dwell on Araki’s return to Iran, acrimony of the people of Khurasan towards Shah Qasim, Araki in service of Shah Qasim and his return to Kashmir; Chapter-4 (Page 190-273) is in 02 parts about Araki’s Mission in Kashmir, stewardship of Hamdaniyyeh Hospice and his mission of destroying idols and temples of infidels; and Chapter-5 (Page274-277) is about Araki’s Munificence.
My impression about the book is that the Author has studied and grasped the Araki’s biography has also had a thorough study of the socio-cultural movements of Kashmir, Turkistan and Khurasan.
Dr Kashinath Pandit’s book “A Muslim Missionary in Mediaeval Kashmir-being the English Translation of Tohfatu’l-Ahbab” is a monumental work. His contribution is substantial and fills a wide gap.
While recommending the book for reading, I conclude with a quote by unknown “A good book is the best of friends, the same today and forever”!
(The author is a retired Superintendent of J&K Police; Feedback at pranpanditpolice@gmail.com)
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