Amir Khusrau: The Musical Torchbearer of Sufi Syncretism and Ganga-Jamuni Culture

01-03-2025

04:03 AM

1 min read

What’s in Today’s Article?

PM Modi, at the 25th Jahan-e-Khusrau festival, described this festival as carrying the “fragrance of the soil of Hindustan.”
Jahan-e-Khusrau, a three-day festival, brings together artists from across the world to celebrate the legacy of Amir Khusrau.
Amir Khusrau, known as Tuti-yi-Hind (Parrot of India), is regarded as a key figure in North India’s Ganga-Jamuni culture. He made significant contributions to Indian classical music, qawwali, and developed Hindavi, a precursor to modern Hindi and Urdu.

Much of what is known about Khusrau comes from his own writings, which contain autobiographical information.

Amir Khusrau’s father migrated from Central Asia to India in the 13th century, escaping the Mongol invasions led by Genghis Khan.
He entered the service of Sultan Iltutmish (1211–36) and married an Indian Muslim woman.
Their second child, Abu'l Hasan Yamin ud-Din Khusrau, was born in 1253.

Khusrau embraced both his Turkic and Indian heritage, a theme reflected in his writings.
Various scholars described him as a symbol of cultural fusion, and he often referred to himself as an “Indian Turk.”

Though Patiyali (Etah, Uttar Pradesh) is widely believed to be his birthplace, Khusrau himself never mentioned it in his writings.

Amir Khusrau became a professional poet at age 20 and remained so until his death.
He initially served princes and nobles before securing a permanent place in the Delhi Sultanate’s court.

In medieval Islamic culture, praise poetry was a key tool for rulers to establish their cultural and political legitimacy.
Court poets relied on royal patronage and faced fierce competition.
Khusrau also served at least five Delhi Sultans:
- Muizuddin Qaiqabad
- Jalaluddin Khalji
- Alauddin Khalji
- Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah
- Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
He also had many influential patrons over five decades, showcasing the exceptional quality of his poetry.
He wrote in Persian, the court language, as well as Hindavi.

Sultan Jalaluddin Khalji conferred on him the title of ‘Amir’.
Historian Ziauddin Barani recorded in Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi that Jalaluddin held Khusrau in great esteem, and that Khusrau served as keeper of the Qur’an in his court.

Amir Khusrau was the most beloved disciple of the Chishti saint Nizamuddin Auliya. The saint held him in high regard, once declaring:
- “He (Khusrau) is the keeper of my secrets, and I shall not set foot in Paradise without him.” - Nizamuddin Auliya (Quoted in The Life and Works of Amir Khusrau, 1929)

Khusrau was respected both in the royal court and in the Sufi khanqah. Despite navigating two different worlds, his loyalty was never questioned.
- “Neither the king nor the saint ever suspected his loyalty, as he frequented both with equal respect and honor.” — Saifullah Saifi, Sufi Poet Amir Khusrau: A Link between the Court and the Khanqah (2011)

Master and disciple passed away within months of each other in 1325.
Upon hearing of Nizamuddin Auliya’s death, Khusrau is believed to have expressed his grief through these poetic words:
- “Beauty sleeps on the bed, her hair across her face. Come Khusrau, let’s go home, night has set over this place.”

A Timeless Poet
- Even 700 years after his death, Amir Khusrau’s lyrical beauty, wordplay, and diverse themes continue to captivate audiences.
- He wrote across genres, from royal eulogies to folk songs, riddles, and word games.
- “On the one hand he wrote eulogies for kings and princes, on the other hand he wrote riddles, jingles, and homely songs.” — Saifi
A Bridge Between Cultures
- Khusrau blended Persian and Turkic traditions with local influences, helping shape Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb, a Hindu-Muslim syncretic culture.
- He also praised Hindu philosophical thought:
  - “The Brahmans of India have a greater wealth of philosophical thought than what Rumi revealed.” - (From masnavi Nuh Siphir, quoted in Indian Literary Criticism: Theory and Interpretation, ed. G.N. Devy)
Musical Contributions
- Khusrau’s ghazals and qawwalis remain popular, performed in Sufi dargahs and Bollywood. His famous compositions include:
  - Chhaap Tilak
  - Zehal-e-Maskeen
  - Sakal Ban Phool Rahi Sarson
- He is also credited with shaping Indian classical music, including:
  - Crafting dozens of ragas
  - Developing ornate khayal music
  - Inventing the sitar and tabla (though evidence remains limited)

Q1. Who was Amir Khusrau?

Ans. Amir Khusrau was a 13th-century poet, musician, and Sufi disciple known for shaping Indian classical music and Ganga-Jamuni culture.

Q2. What were Amir Khusrau’s contributions to Indian music?

Ans. He enriched qawwali, developed Hindavi, crafted ragas, and is credited with influencing khayal music and inventing the sitar and tabla.

Q3. Why is Amir Khusrau called the ‘Parrot of India’?

Ans. He was honored as Tuti-yi-Hind for his eloquence, linguistic skills, and profound contributions to Persian and Hindavi poetry.

Q4. What was Khusrau’s relationship with Nizamuddin Auliya?

Ans. Khusrau was the most beloved disciple of Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya, balancing devotion to both the royal court and the khanqah.

Q5. How is Amir Khusrau’s legacy celebrated today?

Ans. His ghazals and qawwalis remain popular in Sufi dargahs and Bollywood, and his legacy is honored at the Jahan-e-Khusrau festival.

Source: IE | DN