Today, we become familiar with the role played by Iranian mystic, Mir Seyed Ali Hamedani, in promotion of Farsi language and literature in Kashmir and Indian Subcontinent.
Hamedani is a well-known Iranian mystic who lived in 8th Century AH. He spent a lifetime for promotion of sacred religion of Islam, purification of soul, and education of those, who sought the righteous path, in Kashmir and Tajikistan. He was known as Sultan al-Aarefin among scientists, while also earning the title of King of Hamedan among his supporters. He is popularly known as Hazrat Amir Jaan in Tajikistan.
Born in the city of Hamedan in the year 714 AH, Hamedani completed his preliminary studies in his hometown. Later on, he attended the classes of a number of prominent lecturers of his time, learning the science of Hadith, philosophy, and mysticism. He was also influenced by his prominent lecturers in regard to purification of soul, and attainment of spiritual growth.
Meanwhile, his lecturers called on him to promote the divine religion of Islam, overseas. He carried out this mission for the rest of his life, promoting Islam and grooming countless students.
He was highly respected by people, from all walks of life, in the cities of Iran, Central Asia, and India. In addition to his piety, he highly excelled in sciences, and was a polymath in the rational and traditional sciences of his era. He has penned several books, which include more than 110 volumes of books, treatises, and collection of poems. The contents and prose and verse writing styles of his books are one of a kind, covering a whole host of domains, such as philosophy, ethics, mysticism, and literature. The precision of this great Iranian mystic in creation of works in prose and verse has captured the attention of readers.
Following his demise, his children and grandchildren continued his activities and made every effort to guide people.
The divine religion of Islam reached Kashmir later than other regions of the Indian Subcontinent. However, later on, Islam swiftly grew over there and Islamic rule was established in Kashmir. Prior to entry of Islam to Kashmir, that region was infested with gamblers, and wrongdoers. The first Muslim who ascended the throne in Kashmir was Sultan Sadr Ed-Din. In the meantime, Islam prospered and thrived in that region upon the entry of mystics such as Hamedani and his associates to Kashmir. Many of the mosques in Kashmir have been constructed in Hamedani’s era.
The bond between Farsi, Hindi, and Kashmiri languages dates back to ancient times. The progress and further influence of Farsi language in India, especially Kashmir, was concurrent with the entry of promoters of Islam to that region; the majority of which were Farsi speakers.
Hamedani, who had traveled to Kashmir upon the call of his lecturers to promote Islam in that region, highly contributed to spread of Farsi language in that region. In the company of his associates, he traveled to different parts of Kashmir. Given that Farsi was the mother tongue of these individuals, they used this language in their campaign to promote Islam. Thus, Farsi language spread extensively, along with the development of Islamic culture and teachings. It can be said that Islam reached other parts of the world, including India and Kashmir, by Iranians. The Iranian mystics, who had traveled to these regions for promotion of Islam, expressed Islamic thoughts and rulings via the language of poetry. Hence, researchers believe that poetry is one of the important factors, leading to growth and influence of Farsi language in Kashmir.
Throughout the years, Farsi language has influenced all of the materialistic and spiritual aspects of people’s lives in that region and has ultimately captivated the Indian Subcontinent, including Kashmir. In fact, people of that region, in addition to conversing in Farsi, have created several prominent literary and scientific works in Farsi language.
The influence of Farsi language grew in that region, upon the entry of Islam to Kashmir and presence of Hamedani and his associates over there.
Hamedani and his associates faced a language barrier in Kashmir for promotion of Islam. They were not familiar with Kashmiri language and therefore could not easily invite people to convert to Islam. Their first measure was to establish a number of seminaries and schools in Kashmir. One of those important seminaries was named Urvat al-Vosqaa, which was constructed by Seyed Jamal Ed-Din Mohaddeth. He had accompanied Hamedani in his visit to Kashmir, and was one of the acclaimed scientists of his era, who had highly excelled in theology, and exegesis of Holy Quran. The majority of the later Ulema and scientists of Kashmir had attended this seminary. For a number of years, this seminary was one the scientific centers, rendering appropriate services to Muslims.
The most important era in promotion of Farsi language and literature in India and Kashmir was the period of rule of India’s King, Shah Jahan. His local rulers vastly contributed to promotion of Farsi language in Kashmir. Upon the entry of Islam and progress of Farsi language in Kashmir, many books were compiled in Farsi language. The influence of Farsi language and literature in Kashmir influenced people’s lives in all domains. In addition to Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs also developed an interest in Farsi language, and as well as conversing in Farsi, authored their literary and scientific books in this language.
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