Aspects of the Cultural History of Medieval Bihar (An Old and Rare Book)

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In the first lecture an attempt has been made to show that despite contrasts, diversities and complexities India is, and has always been, a land of synthesis-a component whole made up of divergent elements. Nature helps unity and India itself has been a great synthesizer; unifying and reconciling the conflicting elements to form an integrated whole. The influx of the Sufis and the rise and effusions of the Prem Margi Muslim poets from Ad-Dahman of Sandesh Rasak, Mulla Daud of Chandayan, Saikh Qutban of Mirgavat and Syed Manjhan of Madhu Malati down to Jayasi, the author of Padmavat, Kanhavat, Akharavat etc., on old stories, legends and folklores of ancient India helped to dissipate discrepancies and promote unity, concord and cohesion. They spread the messages of love, tolerance and brotherhood.

Jayasi Sang-Vidhana ke marag hain tete. Sarag nakhat roan jete."

The paths leading to God are as many as the stars in the sky or bristles on the head. We must not forget the contributions of Bhakti poets, Hindu and Muslims toward understanding, equation and evolution of a common culture.

The second lecture represents a study of Sufism and Hinduism and their interaction on the basis of half a dozen very valuable sources. After a brief consideration of Sufism and Hinduism and the question of borrowing, if any, copious quotations have been given of extracts from Rose Garden of secrets of Shabistari of the 15 Century A. H. and the sayings and letters of the 18th Century Naqshbandi Sufi, Mirza Jan-i- Jana. Both expressing almost similar sentiments about Islam and Hindu- ism, the later being more definite, precise and explicit than the former. The Mirza had very high appreciation for all that the ancient Hindus stood for, specially all aspects of religion, society and literature. He quoted several verses from the Quran to establish that a vast country like India could not be without a Messenger of God, for the guidance of mankind, Rama and Krishna with their special characteristics, due to the great distance of time between them, may be taken as such apostles. He refuses to accept that the Hindus were idolators and poly- theist the Hindus belived in partnership of the Divinity. This is followed by a reference to six Hindi Dohas in the voluminous collection of letters of Muzaffar Shams Balkhi of Bihar, including the most beautiful lines.