AN AMAZING ACCOUNT OF ONE MUGHAL PRINCESS;
FROM AN AMAZING PASSIONATE WRITER RUBY LAL.

India and Pakistan are two countries. We have things in common, and we have things different. Usually writers of both wings, take the perception of history in their own ways. Documentation does not serve any purpose, the aims are usually sinister. Presenting history, manipulating history, and rewriting history. Few people seek the truth.

This is the amazing part of the personality of Ruby Lal. Even choice of her subjects reflect passion, interest, and in no way involves any kind of bitterness. I always compliment her as the smiling and laughing writer. And in her narration, we also come across the tragedy of her father’s death, and the lack of her ability to be there, due to the epidemic of those times. Well done to her!

My interest in her latest subject is multi-fold. First there are many families in Lahore, who came with Emperor Babur to this region. And we are one of them. And another bizarre thing is that we live a little more than a mile away from the Lahore Fort. This is where Princess Gul Badan wrote her “Awal”. Not much of Akbar time’s remain, as these buildings were demolished by Emperor Jahangeer himself. Recently an Akbari hamam was excavated there. Perhaps Gul Badan used to take a steamy bath there herself. Open to our wildest imagination. Not that anybody could have access to same. An unknown miniature from Jahangeer’s album in Gulistan Museum in Iran, could perhaps spotlight her, on the illness of Lady Sahib Jamal, wife of Prince Saleem. Perhaps not, open to our imagination. 

I do not think the abundant details in the narrative of Ruby Lal on Princess Gul Badan, can even by superseded by more research. Facts are scarce. Her analysis is more than complete. But she makes up for lack of material, with narratives of other travelers in the same era.  And the details of the Haj travel is actually unbelievable and reflects the time spent on her research by Ruby Lal. And Haj accounts even exist of 1579 AD when Gul Badan was still there.

All praise for Ruby Lal. Congratulations on a splendid job. The only objection I had I noted long ago. I said this to Ruby Lal herself. If Sultan Murad had an objection over economic upheaval with the visit of Mughal ladies and issued farmans to kick them out of Khanna Kabba, it is his issue and issue alone. All Mughal ladies were adventurous, naturally as part of their DNA and upbringing in that world. One can call her anything, but the word “vagabond” is a negative connotation, and does not apply to her. With her penchant for endlessly giving sadaqas to the poor, “HUMANITARIAN PRINCESS” more like it. Or to her core, namely

“ADVENTUROUS PRINCESS”. Giving charity is in no way being a vagabond. I apologize in advance, for this is a suggestion only. I never impose on others! Freedom is essential for all writing.

WELL DOCUMENTED HISTORY OF MOSQUE OF WAZEER KHAN;
STUDY FINDINGS ALONG WITH THE DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE:
IMAM GHULAM MUHAMMED GAMMU OWN WIRASAT NAMA 1824 A D.

One thing is discovered and our people jump to conclusions. The history of the Mosque of Nawab Wazeer Khan is well documented. By now a lot is known, and a lot published as research, in various sections of historians.

The sarcophagus dated 1101 Hihjri is an enigma, which can be solved. It is no way the original sarcophagus of Imam Gamu, who died in 1828 A D, and has written a wirasat nama dated 1824 A D. He even has a lot of books to his credit dated the same period. Even one in Punjabi language. We are sending this interim information. We will have more to tell soon.

In the meantime refer to the book on Wazeer Khan mosque by my uncle Dr Abdullah Chaghatai, which also clarifies many things. In my book I have added a host of documents to augment the case for Wazeer Khan. The miniature being used by all was brought by me from Germany, from a collector there, who allowed me use of it. Nobody even refers to source of the same. More to tell, very soon.

REVOLT OF MALIK EKTARUDDIN KABIR KHANNI NAZIM LAHORE;
AGAINST RAZIA SULTANA; FIGHTING IN SUBURBS OF LAHORE:
INTERCESSION BY SAINT SAID MITHA LED TO RECONCILIATION.

Sultan Iltutmish tested the qualities of his daughter Razia Sultana, and found her fit for ruling the country well. After the victory of Gwalior, he declared Razia Sultana as his heir. His judgement was not questioned by his trusted courtiers, and the main objection was by a group of Forty people, who wanted control of the Sultanate in their own hands. These were the Forty Turkish slaves who lacked the talent required for the good of the state. Self serving group dangerous to the Sultanate. In contrast Razia was a woman of many talents, and her bravery was unquestioned. Once a lion had attacked Sultan Iltutmish (separated from the convoy), and Razia rushed to the rescue and slaughtered the ferocious animal. The father knew she was dependable on all counts.

The years of reign of Sultana Razia Begum are 1236-1239 AD or 634-637 AH. The Viceroy of Lahore at that time was Malik Izzuddin Kabir Khanni Ayaz. He rejected the idea of a woman becoming Sultan. In contrast the people of Lahore, loved Razia Sultana, as she was the granddaughter of Sultan Qutbuddin Aibeg, the flaming star of Lahore. A rebellion took place, and Razia Sultana marched to Lahore, and fighting started between the two armies. Razia Sultana led her own army, and fully participated in the battle. Saint Said Mitha was very much in Lahore, and approached the Nazim of Lahore, for truce and peace talk. Hazrat Said Mitha was with his sweet and eloquent talk tried to calm things between the two-opposing forces. In war of succession between Sultan Iltutmish and Sultan Iram Shah; one a son in law and the other a son of Qutbuddin Aibak. Obviously Iltutmish one. But Izzudddin Kabir Khanni Ayaz was not willing to accept Razia Begum as Sultan and was rebelling against her. Said Mitha calmed him, as well as Razia Sultana on the subject. The reason was that the group of Forty Turkish Slaves were backing the Nazim of lahore. Both parties realized their follies, and Razia Sultana like a true monarch, forgave the Nazim of Lahore, and in fact included the fief of Multan in his domain. The rebellion had ended peacefully. There were other crises but she survived most, till she was assassinated in a rebellion. History remembers her well!

AN UNIQUE MAZAR OF LAILA MAJNU IN SANGHAR SINDH;
RARE ILLUSTRATION OF LEGEND ON WALLS OF MAZAR.

Sindh is a land full of surprises. Like all civilizations, romantic legends are part of its history. For our living memory, the love of Qasim and Ladi is legend for us.

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But that is not all. The romance of Laila and Majnu swept all over the Islamic world, and the derivatives of the story are many. It was indeed surprising to know that in Sanghar Sindh, there exists a mazar of Laila and Majnu.

Manuscripts and story tellers as well as poets sing the song of Laila and Majnu all the time. And many generations highlight same in their own way. Interesting we discover many mazars in Sindh with romantic tales painted on their walls.This mazar in Sanghar Sindh cannot be clarified as there are no documents about it. It exists in a large graveyard with many mazars in it. It is unique in many ways. The architecture is old and Persian, Central Asian and Arab in many ways, but it cannot be dated. It could be anything from 200 to 800 years old. But the inscriptions are written on marble which suggests a later date of say 250 years or so. There are faded inscriptions but the ones readable take the name of AMIR UMAR, ALI HAIDER and SAQT HUSSAIN MIMAR (which means constructed by Hussain architect). If one reads history, Amir Umar could be the son of Muhammed bin Qasim, who was at one time Governor of Sindh.

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But who is buried there, as we can see remnants of a grave in it. Anything to do with real Laila and Majnu. Who knows? No real documents are available.

The most remarkable feature is a number of paintings on the inside wall of the Mazar. It is difficult to access same and we have to do with conjectures. The paintings tell a tale full of camels, and horses, and thrones, and musicians as well as food. But the style is not Persian or Punjab Hills. The costumes are different, the waists naked means a certain reference to the times. But facial expressions are of high value. Ralph Pinder Wilson of British Museum once published an illustrated Sindh manuscript and we see closeness of same to these paintings. Certainly research is required. Our job was to let people enjoy the most unique mazar in the world with its illustrated history. There are others but many are collapsing with loss of artistic history. Saving even one will be great. Make an effort. Well done!