RARE WORK, RARE SUBJECT AND RARE ARTIST;
NADEEM LAHORI AT AKBAR’S STUDIO LAHORE.

Scholarship has become extremely poor in Pakistan. Journalists write about historical incidents and figures without any research work. Things already proven long ago are not used at all and we repeat mistakes made by others, even decades before our times. Smug anchors and writers pick up a couple of books possibly centuries old and weave their stories around outdated knowledge. This enables better research work at other countries, to manipulate our cultural background at will. And they are good at it.

A miniature made at Lahore and dated end of 16^th century shows a subject extremely rare in Mughal art works. A sick Princess, surrounded by family and grieving women. Fifteen women, one child and six men. Who can this be person? Was she important enough to deserve a painting on her own? Obviously, she was very important. Certainly, it is a Royal subject. It is not an imaginative work. There is a sick Princess, surrounded by a lot of grieving ladies. There is a child being nursed by one elderly lady. There are dignified people looking at the incident. And a plumed Prince is watching all this. I think we can fit the incident that actually happened to all these characters well. The date is 25^th June, 1599. Princess Sahib Jamal who had come from Kabul died in Lahore, beloved of Prince Saleem (later Emperor Jahangeer). Everything fits in place. And the most amazing thing in it is the tree of Pomegranate at the back, or the garden of Anaran in Lahore.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Writers cannot even solve simple dilemmas. How can they unravel the story of Anarkalli.  Total blasphemy of an English visitor, William Finch, who concocted the story of Saleem having an affair with his step mother, Maryiam Bibi. Cannot even got through his mischievous head that society would not have even allowed a Prince to build a mausoleum for an illicit love affair. Mothers are most sacred institutions in Pakistan, as well as the Muslim world. The lady was obviously Sahib Jamal beloved wife of Prince Saleem and the mausoleum was built in two phases. First as a Prince and then as an Emperor.

UTTER FASCINATION WITH THE MYTHOLOGY OF ANARKALLI AND WHITE VISITORS – OBSESSION WITH OEDIPAL, INCEST AND SEXUAL ABERRATIONS IN BAZAAR GOSSIPS.

THE DESCENDANTS OF JAHANGEER AND NUR JAHAN RUNNING FARRIER’S SHOP,
IN A WALL IN WAZEER KHAN MOSQUE LAHORE. ROYAL FAMILY AS COMMONERS.

It was an insignificant news on the internet. The discovery of the five graves of Mughal Princes in Gujarat. Yes, Mirza Shahryar, son of Jahangeer, and the others. Mirza Shahryar was married to Ladli Begum, daughter of Empress Nur Jahan. They had a daughter at times known as Arzani Begum but present research points her as Meher Afroze. After the death of Emperor Jahangeer, the five Mughal Princes with Mirza Shahryar appointed Emperor and within days, 70 lakh rupees were distributed to the people to win their loyalty. Asif Khan knew all this and asked Prince Khurram (later Shah Jahan) to hurry to Lahore. Till then, all five were put to death and nothing was known about them. Then a reference in a book, led researchers to the five graves, still there in Gujarat. Time has brought perhaps demolition of the structure, but the graves exist on outside level, as well as actual graves in a basement. The construction is all of Shahjahani period. There are no inscriptions but a book reference is very clear about the identity of same. The rumours of them escaping to Persian territory turns out to be wrong.

‘On the 2nd Jumada-l awwal, 1037 A.H., (1628), Shah Jahan ascended to the throne at Lahore, and on the 26th Jumada-l awwal, January 23, 1628, upon his orders, Dawar, his brother Garshasp, Shahryar, and Tahmuras and Hoshang, sons of the deceased Prince Daniyal, were all put to death by Asaf Khan.’

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

We hear of Mirza Akram Baig from many sources. First various documents of that period carry his name, both as witness and as participant of activities related to his importance and relation. Diwan Amarnath son of Raja Dinanath  mentions this family as being ‘Janat Makani’ and he was a student of this scholar. The historian Nur Ahmad Chisti refers to a learned scholar of that age, being Mira Kareem Baig, as being of Royal descent.  Before that his father Yak-Dil mentions in his famous diaries (Bayz no 5 page 22), related to the year 1848 the presence of Mirza AKRAM BAIG son Mirza Azeem Baig  of Lahore. Mirza Azeem Baig was son of Mirza Kareem Baig. Mirza Akram Baig had two sons, Mirza Aslam Baig and Mirza Mehr Baig (Jhandoo). Mirza Ferozeuddin was a painter of the newspaper Paisa Akhbar was the son of Mirza Mehr Baig. The family had even possession of the Mausoleum of Emperor Jahangeer and used to celebrate the annual Urs of the Emperor as PAR DA MELA. And untraced book on Mausoleum of Jahangeer existed written by Mirza Aslam Baig, Assistant Commissioner. It seems that the British had great respect for the family and used to consult with them. This is confirmed by Mirza Akram Baig himself.

The discovery of a manuscript named ELAHI BAKSH NAMA. A copy existed with an Islamic College Professor and now given to a University as a donation. There is a copy in our archives too. How different or how same both are not known? This Elahi Baksh is probably a short term Imam of Masjid Wazeer Khan Lahore. There is an Elahi Baksh in our family too, but nothing is known about same. In the Masnavi Mirza Akram Baig talks about himself too. He says he is a scholar and consulted by many people including the English administration. The composition is in 1230 AH. He talks of some other people, including BELI RAM. He says he does not get any earnings from his scholarship but earns from his professional career as a NALBAND, or a Farrier. Amazing from Royalty, one moves on to specialization in Horses, their health as well as nailing horse shoes. It is even funny as an outcome. But he was a respectable figure of Lahore and people honoured him, both for himself and his background. This is story of fate. Fate makes you rise, fate makes you fall. But if dignity remains, the respect does not go away, salute to the last remnants of Nur Jahan in Lahore!

THE MANY STAMPS DESIGNED BY M.A. RAHMAN CHUGHTAI;
NO COMPLETE RECORD WITH US BUT STILL SOME REMNANTS.

We present designs never seen by anybody. We do know that on the instruction of Quaid e Azam and Liaquat Ali Khan, there were at least twenty designs, after 1947. We have a sketch of some of them visualized at first time. Some with complete record. Some of them were sold by Gibbons in London and bought by a collector, who took them to Dubai. The stamps designed for U.N.O were about eight/nine, the rest were sent to the United Nations. It was with them. But due to country by country line up, perhaps those were not printed at all. At least two/three still with us. U.N.O issues stamps which can be used for posting but only at U.N.O headquarters in New York. This happened after the publication of the UNICEF card “Morning Star” of M.A. RAHMAN CHUGHTAI BY U.N.O. (We will talk about that in a separate blog).

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Master artist who could do anything where designing was concerned. He did designs of a hundred and one things, including mausoleums, tombstones, houses, dresses, jewelry, gold bangles, flying kites patangs, curtains, textiles, and what not?  Records of some are maintained with us, some lost with time. An intricate bangle design for his wife is still with us. All this came from a robust mind and an extensive study of world designs, through collection of books on all subjects in his personal library. His aesthetic aura worked in form of design studies. All his works are full of objects used as symbolism in life.  Well done, Chughtai Sahib! 

M.A. RAHMAN CHUGHTAI AVID DESIGNER OF POSTAL STAMPS;
MANY USED, MANY UNUSED, AND MANY LYING IN COLLECTIONS.

In 1946 before the birth of Pakistan, the fame of M.A. Rahman Chughtai had spread in the Muslim world and leaders. When Quaid e Azam came to Lahore, the Doctor who had invited the father of the nation, at a reception introduced the artist to Quaid e Azam himself. Liaquat Ali Khan was well familiar with him and was responsible for initiating a financial grant to the artist after that time. Designs were requested from the artist, including design of the Pakistani flag. That for later. Here we talk of the Postal stamps requested designs from the artist. A number of designs were made and given to the Government of Pakistan. Only one was used in the first anniversary on 15^th August 1948. It became the first actual Postal Stamp of Pakistan and was judged as one of the four prettiest stamps of the world. With it came the first printed envelope as well as the first printed Post Card of the Governmental Post Office.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Later on various other stamps were designed and printed. Many of them could not be printed for the Government had no money to print same. Some of them were auctioned in London by the Stamp Printer Gibbons? and are now lying in Dubai with a collector. He was asking Twenty thousand pounds for one of them, and not in our position to buy them. In any case we too have some unused designs with us. Wait for that in our next blog. We print a small page where Chughtai Sahib used to start the concept of designs and used to perfect the drawing, with ink later.

M.A. Rahman Chughtai was a designer of many things. His passion  surrounded whatever he touched and witnessed in life. We will try to record some of his designs on various levels. Till then enjoy the printed stamps!

CONVERSION OF BROTHERHOOD INTO ANIMOSITY OF TWO ARTISTS;
A. R. EJAZ COMPARES CHUGHTAI TO A SWEEPRESS MISTAKING LIGHT,
IN THE CLOUDS TO BE A WINKING JIBE FROM GOD AND JUBILATING.

Once upon a time friendship occurred between the Baghbanpura family of Abdur Rahman Ejaz and brother Mian Inayatullah. It included regular meetings, eat overs, fishing, hunting, kite flying and what not?  Chughtai welcomed them to his home in Chabuk Sawaran for partying and they used to partake food together. They also used to paint together at Chughtai’s house.  Chughtai lent them his materials as well as sketches required at moments. Everything was well in that relation. Letters prove that Abdur Rahman Ejaz styled himself as the brother of Abdur Rahman Chughtai. In that frenzy Abdur Rahman Ejaz even made an oil portrait of Chughtai sahib, which is still preserved today. It can be easily compared to a photograph taken at that time about the age of twenty years. So, what went wrong?

• 

• 

• 

M.A. Rahman Chughtai sketched a work namely ‘POISON CUP’ and finished it. Inayatullah requested to borrow it. He not only borrowed it, he wrote his name on it, and got it published in an English magazine, probably ‘Studio”.  He had done this before with other workls and Chughtai had not done anything about it. But this time Chughtai did not like the idea of his work being published abroad in a different name, and being the only one of Mian Inayatullah, displayed at the Wembley Exhibition. Although two of his works were selected but, in the end, only one was exhibited. The children out of ignorance proclaimed that ten works of Inayatullah were selected and only two of Chughtai Sahib. I showed them documented evidence of the catalogue itself which can even be checked today on internet. Chughtai Sahib made a complaint to Principal Lionel Heath. Samarendranath Gupta was asked by Lionel Heath to research on the subject, and he being full of venom for Chughtai, gave his verdict in favour of Inayatullah (the verdict is published by us). The funny part is that in a letter to Chughtai Sahib, Inayatullah himself admits that ‘Poison Cup’ start to finish is work of Chughtai sahib (from aghaz to anjam mohtram ka tufa). But this exposure to authorities infuriated Abdur Rahman Ejaz and he threatened Chughtai with all efforts to finish him forever, and (to spite Chughtai sahib) he actually changed his name first to A. R. Sandaavi and then to A R Ejaz, as he himself says in his letter. By exposing my brother you have incurred my animosity, he affirms.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

This is not merely enough to qualify for a full article but a booklet in itself. We have tried to shorten it so that it can be understood that the brotherhood turned into animosity by exposure of Inayatullah to a fraudulent activity. We print two art works, and listed in two places. At one place it has a signature of Abdur Rahman Chughtai and the same work at another place has the signature of Mian Inayatullah. For those so-called analysts and critics who try to shame our research, the shame goes to them for not being able to see the true picture. The venom for Chughtai is skin deep for people who are jealous of his iconic stature. However truth remains and shines in the end. Less said the better.

NOT WELL KNOWN THE FACT THAT MANY FOLLOWED CHUGHTAI ART;
THE YOUNG MUHAMMED IBRAHEEM FROM BANARAS WITH GHALIB.

As the fame of M.A. Rahman Chughtai spread over the region, there were people who followed his art in style as well as making. There is a long list of them, and hardly people know about same. Often you hear ignorant say that he left no pupils, but actually he did. He even tried to teach students his style and technique, but the list is numerous and we will catch it from time to time. Many will be surprised to know how many followed his art and were enamoured by his style.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

We will try not to list only names but find examples of their art. But it is difficult as they expired long ago and difficult to search out specimens of their work. Here is one example in our archives. Muhammed Ibraheem from Banaras and we think these images were sent to him around 1960. Chughtai Sahib must have responded to him in letter and spirit, for he never discouraged people and he had a big heart for all artists and their art doings. But he used to ask them to start from basics and not all understood the basics of Chughtai. Sketch eyes, lips, even simple objects. Some seniors used to get infuriated by this response, but Chughtai Sahib knew well what were his intentions. The students could not understand. Anyway enjoy one follower of Chughtai Sahib. Wonder if he is still alive and working! Maybe even now in Pakistan. He follows detailed lines but loses in expression. Many works owe direct inspiration from Chughtai Art.

FROM PERSIA TO KABUL TO LAHORE THE EVOLUTION OF MUGHAL PAINTING;
FASCINATING FIRST MUGHAL WORK OF 1555 DONE BY MASTERS UNKNOWN.

M.A. Rahman Chughtai was not merely an artist and etcher. He was also a collector and scholar, and had deep insight on World painting, Islamic painting, as well as painting in our region. The exceptional art works of Central Asia done in Ajanta and Ellora are well known, but then there is silence of nearly 800 years. Certainly, some works were done under the Sultanates, and scholars like Dr Abdullah Chaghatai and Dr Richard Ettinghausen have written about same. But the real swing started with Emperor Humayoun convincing a group of exceptional Paint Masters to come back with him to India. And most of them did. The main two were Mir Sayyed Ali and Khawaja Abdus Samad. And the very initial miniatures were probably made in Kabul and then moved on to the city of Lahore. Lahore became the center of Cultural revolution. In real terms Emperor Akbar set the school of art in motion (he himself got training in same), and about 55 Masters were put on the task of Dastan Amir Hamza, Not only that Akbar send batches of Indian students to Kabul and other places for training in the arts, and created many Hindu Artists of those times. Lahore even today has lanes named after major artists of  those times.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

A torn painting on cloth and in huge size was discovered at the turn of 19^th century. It had set people talking and scholars have poured in their opinion about the work. Initially Stanley Clark, Laurence Binyon, Basil Gray and others gave their opinion. Chughtai Sahib also contributed in that dialogue by publishing a book the HOUSE OF TAIMUR and adding the name of the painter Mirza Farrukh Baig to the list of  contenders for this painting. Obviously it is a specialized subject but our blog is meant to highlight such things. The numerous details are not possible in a short write up on the subject. Read about Prince Kamran too:

A SCHOOL OF ART AT KAMRAN’S BARADARI IN LAHORE – WESTERN AND INDIAN SCHOLARS RELUCTANT TO CREDIT LAHORE

THE VISIT OF ENGRAVER ARTIST HARRY NORMAN ECCLESTON IN 1980;
REALLY MEMORABLE LECTURE ON ETCHINGS AT CHUGHTAI MUSEUM.

Etcher Paul Drury was a friend of artist M.A. Rahman Chughtai. We invited him to Pakistan. Due to health conditions, he was not able to make it. Instead of himself, he sent Harry Norman Eccleston to represent him here. This person himself was a famous etcher and artist, and President of the Royal Society of Painter, Etchers and Engravers. He was designer of Bank notes and worked for Bank of England itself. A very jovial and full of life person, he was a joy to behold here, giving a professional lecture to a first-time audience here. Surely some must be remembering same, as we ourselves do now. But he left a copy of his lecture to us, and we will upload the same on our blog soon. He also presented us with an etching of his own for our museum, as we presented some to him too. The same ended in the Victoria and Albert Museum as a gift from Paul Drury. Paul Drury died in 1987.

• 

• 

• 

Harry Norman Eccleston 1923-2010, also recorded an interview here with us on Chughtai art. At end of his lecture, he says:

“One thing is certain, to know Chughtai art to appreciate him fully one must know both the paintings and the prints. Each in its own right unite to a remarkable body of work for an artist to have fully left; together they are truly astonishing achievement by a great artist.”

THE DESCENDANT OF USTAD AHMAD MIMAR AT LUCKNOW COURT;
FOUND SERVING NAWAB YASMEEN MAHAL WIFE OF WAJID ALI SHAH.

The fore fathers of Ustad Ahmad Mimar are famous as having come from Herat, but trained in Turkey under Ustad Sinan, known as Ustad Yusuf Burkurdar, son of Muhammed Hussain. Ustad Yusuf is traced through his works at the city of Hisar, in Haryana. But Ahmad was born in Lahore, and is referred as Lahori all the time. Their children spread themselves to various Courts at Delhi, Shahjahanabad, Jaipur, Peshawer, Kabul and Lahore. It is also known to have extended themselves to Lucknow, mainly at the Court of Wajid Ali Shah.

• 

• 

• 

• 

A manuscript of recited Naats at the Court of Wajid Ali Shah, by Aulad Ali, son of Amir Ali, Naqsha Nawis Sultani. This is Amiruddin Ali, beloved son of Imamuddin Riazi of Shahjahanabad. Aulad Ali mentions being on the payroll of Nawab Yasmeen Mahal, African queen of Wajid Ali Shah.At same time he refers to his father as being a Naqsha Nawis Sultani, that is Royal draughtsman or architect to the Court. We do hear of an architect in Oudh namely Kifayatullah of an Imambara there, as being from the same family. There is an inscription in the building itself of his service to Royal architecture.

Aulad Ali also mentions working under English rule, as well as Bahadur Pratap Singh Rawat. He also served both of same in his capacity. In any case the missing link in Lucknow is put on record.

A STUDY OF LETTERS OF LEONARDO DA VINCI BIZARRE REVELATIONS,
CONTACTS WITH TURKISH SULTANS AND OFFER OF HELP IN PROJECTS.

Lisa Jardine, the late scholar from the University of London, writes:
“In a series of letters written around 1484 and preserved in one of his many notebooks, Leonardo reports to someone he calls Devatdar Kait-Bai, on the findings of a lengthy scientific mission conducted along the politically contested Turkish coast. (Was Leonardo there in Turkey?)
But Sultan Qaitbay was in fact the cultivated and culturally ambitious Mamluk Sultan at this date.”
It is understood that East and West were on the road to cross fertilization of aesthetics.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

The Renaissance art between East and West is being thoroughly documented and exposes the bigotry of some scholars, for some such exchanges put their arrogance to shame. One such brilliant artist was Gentile Bellini, who worked at the Sultan’s court itself. But the most amazing is exchange of letters between Turkish Sultan Bayezid and Leonardo da Vinci in 1502. The reply to Leonardo da Vinci is kept in the Topkapi museum in Turkey. It has been published too, and we reproduce same. A bridge is being proposed by Leonardo to bridge the Bay in Turkey. Modern scholars have worked on the design of the bridge and found it utterly feasible. In fact, the same design was actually used elsewhere, and worked well. It is strange that this did not work out at that time, otherwise it would have been another wonder of the world. The Sultan was apprehensive of the engineering, and did not think much of this “Kafir” as stated in the letter. But Leonardo had assured him that it would work. And it would have. History did not accept that.

But the influence of Islamic art prevailed on the West. For a discussion read our blog on the same subject, as:
http://blog.chughtaimuseum.com/?p=10247

POST SCRIPT ON THE LEONARDO’S BRIDGE:​

A bridge from Istanbul to Galata

It was a letter asking for employment. In which Leonardo also claims to know how to build windmills and pumps to extract water from ships. Then he talks about the bridge over the Golden Horn.

“I, your servant, have heard of your intention to build a bridge from Istanbul to Galata. And that you have not yet built it because it is impossible to find one who can build it. I, your servant, know how to do it. One would raise it to the height of a building so that no one can cross it because it is too high. I will do it so that a ship can pass under it even with the sails raised. I would make a drawbridge so that when one wants, one can pass to the Anatolian coast. May God make you believe these words, and consider that this servant of yours will always be at your service”.

Up to now, we always though that The bridge for the Sultan that he designed was too far ahead of its times to work on those openings. Due to the limitations of the building materials. It resembles the Calatrava bridge in Venice. And, even more, it resembles (in a small way) an existing bridge in China, in Zhaozhou. Built between 589 and 618 with a single arch of 37 meters and with a rise of 7 meter. Or several other Chinese bridges built during the Song Dynasty.