INTRODUCTION

Persian influence in India began through cultural and political interactions with Iran and was introduced by Mahmud of Ghazni’s invasion and the arrival of Arab traders via the Malabar Coast. It was later solidified under the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal rule, shaping Indian language, literature, art, architecture, administration, and music into a distinct Indo-Persian cultural synthesis.

Key Areas of Persian Influence in India

Language and Literature

• Persian as the Court Language:

• Under the Delhi Sultans (13th-16th century) and Mughals (16th-18th century), Persian replaced Sanskrit and Prakrit as the official language of administration, diplomacy, and scholarship.

• Persian continued to be widely used in Indian courts even after Mughal decline until the British era in 1837, influencing legal and historical records.

• Development of Urdu:

• A fusion of Persian, Arabic, and local Indian languages led to the emergence of Urdu, which became the lingua franca of North India.

• Persian literary traditions deeply influenced Urdu poetry, with poets like Mirza Ghalib using Persian metres and themes.

• Common Hindi-Urdu words like asman (sky), bazaar (market), and zameen (earth) have Persian origins.

• Persian Literature in India:

• Prominent Persian writers in India included:

• Amir Khusrau (1253-1325) : A court poet under the Delhi Sultanate, who blended Persian and Indian literary styles.

• Abul Fazl (1551-1602): Chronicler of Akbar’s court, author of Ain-i-Akbari and Akbarnama.

• Maratha ruler Shivaji Maharaj admired Persian and even commissioned a Persian-Sanskrit dictionary, highlighting its widespread acceptance.

Persian Influence on Art and Architecture

• Mughal Architecture:

• Persian architectural techniques merged with Indian styles, giving rise to Indo-Islamic architecture.

• Hallmarks of Persian architecture in India include:

• Use of the Charbagh (Persian garden layout): Seen in Humayun’s Tomb and Taj Mahal.

• Iwan-style arches, bulbous domes, and calligraphy: Common in mosques like Jama Masjid and tombs.

• Extensive use of pietra dura (stone inlay work): Inspired by Persian artisans.

• Bahmani Dynasty's Persian Influence: 

• Feroz Shah Bahmani (14th century) imported skilled Iranian artisans, leading to distinct architectural styles, particularly in domes and monuments.

• Miniature Painting:

• The Persian Safavid style influenced Mughal painting, especially under Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan.

• Persian painters trained Indian artists, leading to the evolution of a distinctive Mughal miniature style.

Music and Performing Arts

• Persian Influence on Hindustani Classical Music:

• Persian and Central Asian musical traditions merged with Indian styles, leading to:

• The refinement of Qawwali: A devotional music form pioneered by Amir Khusrau.

• Development of Khayal and Tarana: New classical music forms inspired by Persian musical structures.

• Persian ghazals and rubaiyat (quatrains) deeply influenced Indian poetic compositions.

Administrative and Political Influence

• Persian Bureaucratic Traditions:

• Mughal bureaucracy and revenue systems were based on Persian models, with Persian terminology like jagir and mansab.

• Legal codes, farmans (royal decrees), and official records were written in Persian.

• Historiography and Court Records:

• Prominent historical chronicles written in Persian include:

• Tabaqat-i-Nasiri (by Minhaj-us-Siraj): A history of the Delhi Sultanate.

• Baburnama (by Babur): Memoirs of the Mughal founder.

• Shah Jahan Nama (by Inayat Khan): A detailed account of Shah Jahan’s reign.

Persian Influence on Religion and Sufism

• Spread of Sufism:

• Persian Sufi traditions profoundly influenced Indian spirituality.

• Persian was the language of Sufi poetry and mystical discourses.

• Notable Sufi saints who integrated Persian elements into Indian religious thought include:

• Nizamuddin Auliya: A Chishti Sufi master deeply associated with Persian literary traditions.

• Shaikh Ali Hujwiri (Data Ganj Bakhsh) :His work Kashf al-Mahjub is a seminal Persian text on Sufi philosophy.

• Cultural Syncretism (Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb):

• The fusion of Persian and Indian traditions gave rise to a unique composite culture that promoted harmony between Hindu and Muslim traditions.

• Amir Khusrau’s Hindavi poetry and Sufi qawwalis celebrated this synthesis.

Culinary Influence

• Persian cuisine influenced Mughal dishes such as biryani, kebabs, and nihari.

• Persian-style confectionery and dry fruit usage became common in Indian sweets.

Amir Khusrau: A Multifaceted Legacy

• Title and Cultural Influence

• Known as Tuti-yi-Hind ("Parrot of India"), Khusrau is considered a father figure of North India’s Ganga-Jamuni culture.

• He contributed significantly to Indian classical music, Sufi qawwali, and Persian literature.

• Credited with developing Hindavi, a precursor to modern Hindi and Urdu.

• Early Life and Lineage

• Born in 1253, likely in Patiyali (present-day Etah district, Uttar Pradesh), though his birthplace remains uncertain.

• His father, a Central Asian immigrant, entered Sultan Iltutmish’s (1211-36) service and married an Indian Muslim woman.

• Khusrau referred to himself as an “Indian Turk”, symbolising his mixed heritage.

• Career as a Court Poet

• Became a professional poet at 20 and served five Delhi Sultans:

• Muiz ud din Qaiqabad

• Jalaluddin Khalji

• Alauddin Khalji

• Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah

• Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq

• Wrote in Persian (the court’s language) and Hindavi.

• Jalaluddin Khalji bestowed upon him the title of Amir.

• Historian Ziauddin Barani wrote that Jalaluddin highly valued Khusrau and appointed him keeper of the Qur’ān.

• Spiritual Connection with Nizamuddin Auliya

• Khusrau was the most beloved disciple of Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya.

• Auliya wished Khusrau to be buried with him, stating:

• “He is the keeper of my secrets, and I shall not set foot in Paradise without him.”

• Both master and disciple died in 1325, within months of each other.

• Upon hearing of Auliya’s passing, Khusrau reportedly said:

• “Beauty sleeps on the bed, her hair across her face. Come Khusrau, let’s go home, night has set over this place.”

• Contributions to Literature and Culture

• Wrote eulogies for rulers, as well as riddles, word games, and folk songs.

• Promoted a fusion of Persian, Turkic, and Indian traditions, strengthening Hindu-Muslim syncretism.

• Praised Hindu philosophy in his Masnavi Nuh Siphir, stating that Hindu Brahmans possessed knowledge greater than Rumi.

• Influence on Music

• His ghazals and qawwalis remain popular in both religious and secular contexts.

• Famous compositions include Chhaap Tilak, Zehal-e-Maskeen, and Sakal Ban Phool Rahi Sarson.

• Credited with shaping Indian classical music by:

• Developing several ragas.

• Crafting khayal music.

• Allegedly inventing the sitar and tabla (though historical evidence is inconclusive).

• Enduring Legacy

• Even after 700 years, Khusrau's lyrical style, wordplay, and diverse themes continue to captivate audiences.

• His influence remains evident in both Sufi traditions and modern Bollywood music.

Initiatives to Preserve and Promote Persian culture

• Noor International Microfilm Center: Established in 1985 in the Culture House of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi, this center focuses on repairing, restoring, and publishing manuscripts. It has prepared microfilms and photographs of over 60,000 Persian, Arabic, and Urdu manuscripts from various Indian libraries.

• Example: The Department of Heritage Telangana has announced a tie-up with Noor International Microfilm Centre to restore, conserve and digitise documents and other paper artefacts in its custody. 

• Jahan-e-Khusrau Festival: An annual music festival in New Delhi that commemorates the Sufi poet-musician Amir Khusrau, celebrating Persian and Sufi music traditions.

• Restoration of Persian Monuments: Conservation efforts are ongoing for Persian-influenced architectural sites like the Taj Mahal, ensuring their preservation for future generations. 

• Persian Language Programs: Several Indian universities, such as Jawaharlal Nehru University and Aligarh Muslim University, offer Persian language courses and conduct research on Persian literature and culture.

• Academic Publications: Scholars and institutions publish journals and books focusing on Persian studies.

• Example: The book Enduring Civilisational Encounter: A Study of Indo-Iranian Relations edited by Mohammad Nazrul Bari explores Indo-Iranian ties.

CONCLUSION

Persian influence left an indelible mark on Indian culture, creating a rich Indo-Persian heritage that continues to shape India's linguistic, artistic, and administrative traditions. The fusion of Persian and indigenous elements resulted in a unique cultural identity that defined medieval India and continues to influence contemporary art, music, and governance.

PYQ MAPPING

Q) Sufis and medieval mystic saints failed to modify either the religious ideas and practices or the outward structure of Hindu / Muslim societies to any appreciable extent. Comment. (2014)

Q) Persian literary sources of medieval India reflect the spirit of the age. Comment. (2020)

SAMPLE QUESTION

Q) Analyse the impact of Persian literary and artistic traditions on medieval Indian culture, with special reference to Amir Khusrau. (10 marks, 150 words)

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Keywords:
Amir Khusrau and Persian Influence in Indian Culture Amir Khusrau Persian Influence Sufism Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb Jahan-e-Khusrau Mahmud of Ghazni Delhi Sultanate Mughal rule Bahmani Dynasty Parrot of India Hindavi