Description

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Context

The legacy of Amir Khusrau is celebrated at Jahan-e-Khusrau, a three-day festival where artists from around the world perform. Prime Minister Modi described it as carrying the fragrance of the soil of Hindustan.

About Amir Khusrau

Amir Khusrau was a great poet, musician and scholar who shaped India’s language, literature and music.

He wrote in both Persian and Hindavi blending Indian and foreign influences. His deep connection with Sufism especially the Chishti order made his works spiritual and artistic treasures.

Khusrau was the most devoted disciple of Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya.

Early Life and Family

His father was a Turk who moved to India to escape the Mongolsand served Sultan Iltutmish.
His mother was an Indian Muslim making Khusrau a blend of two cultures.
He was born in 1253 CE likely in Patiyali i.e. Etah, Uttar Pradesh though he never mentioned it in his writings.

Life at the Sultan’s Court

Khusrau became a court poetat age 20 and served five Delhi Sultans.
1. Muizuddin Qaiqabad
2. Jalaluddin Khalji
3. Alauddin Khalji
4. Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah
5. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
Jalaluddin Khaljigave him the title of Amir.
He wrote praise poetry to establish royal legitimacy.

His Contributions

Language and Literature

He pioneered Hindavi as a literary language influencing modern Hindi and Urdu.
He mixed Persian and Hindavi in his poetry.
His famous couplet on India’s culture:
“Tu Hindi baashi, man Turki-e-nafas, Har du raa zabaan-e-hind, ast mukhass”
(You speak Hindi, I speak Turkish, but we both communicate in Hindavi.)

Music and Innovations

Introduced Qawwali, a form of Sufi devotional music still performed today.
Created Tarana, a fast-paced vocal style.
Helped develop Khayal, a key part of Hindustani classical music.
Some traditions credit him with inventing the sitar and tabla, though this is debated.
His famous songs include:

Chhaap Tilak
Zehal-e-Maskeen
Sakal Ban Phool Rahi Sarson

Themes in His Poetry

Love & Devotion – Expressed divine longing through Sufi mysticism.
Spirituality – Dedicated many poems to Nizamuddin Auliya and God.
Multiculturalism – Merged Persian, Arabic, and Indian elements.
Everyday Life – Wrote riddles, folk songs, and playful verses still enjoyed today.

Major Works

Poetry Collections (Diwans)

Tuhfat-us-Sighr (Gift of Childhood) – His early works.
Wast-ul-Hayat (Middle of Life) – Showed his mature style.
Ghurrat-ul-Kamaal (Prime of Perfection) – Peak of his poetic career.
Baqiya Naqiya (The Rest and The Best) – Later poetry.
Nihayat-ul-Kamaal (Height of Perfection) – His final collection.

Narrative Poetry (Masnavis)

Qiran-us-Saadain – About the meeting of a Delhi Sultan and his father.
Duval Rani Khizr Khan – A romantic epic of a prince and princess.
Nuh Sipihr – Nine poetic sections on morality, justice, and music.
Tughlaq Nama – Chronicles Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq’s rise to power.

Legacy

Father of Urdu Poetryas he inspired later poets like Mir, Ghalib and Iqbal.
A Bridge Between Culturesas he shaped Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb (Hindu-Muslim cultural fusion).
His songs, poems and qawwalis are performed in Sufi shrines and classical music concerts.

Key aspects of Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb

Key Aspect	Details
Origins and Evolution	Emerged during the Delhi Sultanate (13th century) and flourished under the Mughal Empire (16th–18th century). Influences of Sufism, Bhakti movement, Persian traditions, and local Indian customs.
Language and Literature	Fusion of Persian, Arabic, Turkish and local dialects. Poets like Amir Khusrau, Mir Taqi Mir, Ghalib and Iqbal celebrated unity in Persian and Hindavi. Hindavi and Braj Bhasha: Blended Persian and Sanskrit laying the foundation for modern Hindi and Urdu.
Music and Performing Arts	Qawwali & Khayal: Developed by Amir Khusrau blending Sufi devotional music and Hindustani classical music. Kathak Dance: Absorbed Persian influences evolving from Hindu temple dance to a courtly art form. Ghazals and Thumris: Blended Persian and Indian aesthetics expressing love and devotion.
Architecture and Art	Mughal Architecture: Blend of Persian, Turkish and Indian styles (e.g., Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Red Fort). Rajput-Mughal Fusion: Rajput rulers integrated Mughal features in palaces and forts (e.g., Amber Fort, Jaipur).
Festivals and Traditions	Hindu-Muslim Festive Harmony: Participation in shared festivals like Muharram, Holi, Diwali and Eid. Sufi and Bhakti Saints: Figures like Kabir, Guru Nanak and Baba Farid preached unity across communities.
Impact	Continues to influence Indian culture, art, music and literature. Cities like Lucknow, Delhi, Hyderabad and Varanasi remain centers of Ganga-Jamuni culture.

Sources:

INDIAN EXPRESS

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Amir Khusrau:

1. His contributions led to the development of Hindustani classical music.

2. His work shows the religious orthodoxy of the time.

3. His compositions helped in bridging the cultural divide between the Persianate and Indic traditions.

Which of the following statements is/are incorrect?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 2 and 3 only

Answer: (b) 2 only

Explanation:

● Statement 1 is correct. Amir Khusrau blended Persian, Arabic & Turkish musical styles contributing to the development of Hindustani classical music.

● Statement 2 is incorrect. Despite being a Sufi Khusrau's works promoted pluralism, tolerance & syncretism. He celebrated both Hindu and Muslim traditions contradicting the idea of religious orthodoxy.

● Statement 3 is correct. Khusrau poetry & music bridged Persianate & Indic cultures promoting syncretic practices in both music & language.