Bagh O Bahar, or Tales of the Four Darweshes

MīR Amman Dihlavī

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• Publié par: pohid
• Publié le: 08 décembre 2010
• Nombre de lectures: 13
• Langue: English

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Or Tales of the Four Darweshes by Mir Amman of
Dihli
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Title: Bagh O Bahar, Or Tales of the Four
Darweshes
Author: Mir Amman of Dihli
Release Date: May 17, 2004 [EBook #12370]
Language: English
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EBOOK BAGH O BAHAR ***
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ProjectBAGH O BAHAR; OR TALES OF
THE FOUR DARWESHES.
Translated from the Hindustani of Mir Amman of
Dihli
By Duncan Forbes, LL.D.,
Professor of Oriental Languages in King's College,
London; Member of the Royal Asiatic Society of
Great Britain and Ireland, author of several works
on the Hindustani and Persian Languages.
1874.PREFACE.
The Bagh O Bahar, or "Garden and Spring," has,
for the last half century, been held as a classical
work throughout our Indian empire. It highly
deserves this distinguished fate, as it contains
various modes of expression in correct language;
and displays a great variety of Eastern manners
and modes of thinking. It is an excellent
introduction not only to the colloquial style of the
Hindustani language, but also to a knowledge of its
various idioms and popular phrases.
The tale itself is interesting, if we bear in mind the
fact, that no Asiatic writer of romance or history
has ever been consistent, or free from fabulous
credulity. The cautious march of undeviating truth,
and a careful regard to vraisemblance, have never
entered into their plan. Wildness of imagination,
fabulous machinery, and unnatural scenes ever
pervade the compositions of Oriental authors,—
even in most serious works on history and ethics.
Be it remembered, that jinns, demons, fairies, and
angels, form a part of the Muhammadan creed.
The people to this day believe in the existence of
such beings on the faith of the Kur,an; and as they
are fully as much attached to their own religion as
we are to ours, we ought not to be surprised at
their credulity.
I have rendered the translation as literal as
possible, consistent with the comprehension of theauthor's meaning. This may be considered by
some a slavish and dull compliance; but in my
humble opinion we ought, in this case, to display
the author's own thoughts and ideas; all we are
permitted to do, is to change their garb. This
course has one superior advantage which may
compensate for its seeming dulness; we acquire an
insight into the modes of thinking and action of the
people, whose works we peruse through the
medium of a literal translation, and thence many
instructive and interesting conclusions may be
drawn.
To the present edition numerous notes are
appended; some, with a view to illustrate certain
peculiarities of the author's style, and such
grammatical forms of the language as might
appear difficult to a beginner; others, which mainly
relate to the manners and customs of the people of
the East, may appear superfluous to the Oriental
scholar who has been in India; but in this case, I
think it better to be redundant, than risk the chance
of being deficient. Moreover, as the book may be
perused by the curious in Europe, many of of
whom know nothing of India, except that it
occupies a certain space in the map of the world,
these notes were absolutely necessary to
understand the work. Finally, as I am no poet, and
have a most thorough contempt for the maker of
mere doggerel rhymes, I have translated the
pieces of poetry, which are interspersed in the
original, into plain and humble prose.
D. FORBES58, BURTON CRESCENT, July, 1857.THE PETITION OF MIR AMMAN,
OF DILLI.
Which was Presented to the Gentlemen Managers
of the College [of Fort William].
May God preserve the gentlemen of great dignity,
and the appreciators of respectable men. This exile
from his country, on hearing the command [issued
by] proclamation, [1] hath composed, with a
thousand labours and efforts, the "Tale of the Four
Darweshes," [entitled] the Bagh O Bahar [2] [i.e.
Garden and Spring,] in the Urdu, e Mu'alla [3]
tongue. By the grace of God it has become
refreshed from the perusal of all the gentlemen [4]
[of the college]. I now hope I may reap some fruit
from it; then the bud of my heart will expand like a
flower, according to the word of Hakim Firdausi, [5]
who has said [of himself] in the Shahnama,
"Many sorrows I have borne for these thirty
years;
But I have revived Persia by this Persian
[History.] [6]
I having in like manner polished the Urdu
tongue,
Have metamorphosed Bengal into Hindustan."
[7]
You gentlemen are yourselves appreciators ofmerit. There is no need of representation [on my
part]. O God! may the star of your prosperity ever
shine!
MIR AMMAN'S PREFACE.
"The Name of God, Most Merciful and Gracious."
The pure God! what an [excellent] Artificer he is!
He who, out of a handful of dust, hath created
such a variety of faces and figures of earth.
Notwithstanding the two colours [of men], one
white and one black, yet the same nose and ears,
the same hands and feet, He has given to all. But
such variety of features has He formed, that the
form and shape of one [individual] does not agree
with the personal appearance of another. Among
millions of created beings, you may recognise
whomsoever you wish. The sky is a bubble in the
ocean of his [eternal] unity; and the earth is as a
drop of water in it; but this is wonderful, that the
sea beats its thousands of billows against it, and
yet cannot do it any injury. The tongue of man is
impotent to sound the praise and eulogy of Him
who has such power and might! If it utter any thing,
what can it say? It is best to be silent on a subject
concerning which nothing can be said.
VERSE.
"From earth to heaven, He whose work this is, If I wish to write his praise, then what power
have I;
When the prophet himself has said, 'I do not
comprehend Him.'
After this, if any one pretends to it, he is a great
fool.
Day and night the sun and moon wander
through their course, and behold
his works—
Yea, the form of every individual being is a sight
of surprise:
He, whose second or equal is not, and never will
be;
No such a unique Being, Godhead is every way
fit.
But so much I know, that He is the Creator and
Nourisher.
In every way his favour and beneficence are
upon me."
And blessings on his friend, for whose sake He
created the earth and heavens, and on whom He
bestowed the dignity of prophet.
VERSE.
"The pure body of Mustafa is an emanation of
Divine light,
For which reason, it is well known that his body
threw no shadow. [8]
Where is my capacity, that I should sufficiently
speak his praise;