"Tahqiq", written by Sh. Arjan Dev Majboor - A Review
By Upender Ambardar
The book under review titled "Tahqiq", written in
nastaliq Kashmiri by Sh .Arjan Dev Majboor
published in the year 1999 (price not mentioned),
spanning into 183 pages encases nine diverse
essays. The book besides being a recounting of the
past history of
Kashmir and its historical icons is also a
perceptive account of travel cum memoir. The
thoughtfully selected and compelling writings
included in the book give an insightful account
about Kanishka, the renowned and illustrious ruler
and history and culture of Himalayan states. A
history of Kashmir, Kashmir under the Buddhist and
Hindu era,
Kashmir as encompassed in 'Gulabnama', Ritualistic
Kashmiri marriage songs in the backdrop of
mythology,
Mysore as seen by the author and lastly the
author's literary odyssey. The narrative of the
first essay entitled 'Kanishka, the great Kushan
emperor', unfolds his multifaceted attributes as a
determined ruler, an accomplished and gallant
soldier, an expert on warfare and a political
strategist, who ruled over a vast area of the
Indian sub-continent in the second century AD with
an iron grip for twenty three years. His capital
Purashpur, the present day Peshawar, a flourishing
city of plenty was well connected both with the
then extended Indian peninsula and the
Central Asia through silk route. The hitherto lesser known
facts and details about the Kushan dynasty, the
trade and cultural ties, the architectural
masterpieces of the Gandhara style and the hosting
of the third Buddhist World Conference at
Kundalvan-Srinagar outskirts are deftly pieced
together. The second essay entitled 'History and
Culture of Himalayan States based on the fifth
volume of the name-same book offers an intimate
understanding of the Sikh rule in Jammu region
from the year 1810 to 1820, awareness about three
Dogra rulers, the subsequent conquests in Ladakh
and Baltistan, the emergence of Mian Dido as a
local hero besides providing an incredible
information about Maharaja Gulab Singh and armed
exploits of General Zorawar Singh. 'A history of
Kashmir',
the third essay is an analysed narration, which
gives a haunting glimpse of political geography
and socio-religious history of ancient Kashmir.
It also dwells upon the various antiquated path-routes that led to
Kashmir and the traditional Kashmiri crafts and
arts. The next essay named 'Kashmir' is a
condensed narration based on the review of
Kashmir
related different books. The author has delved
deep into many layers of Kashmir's history
presenting an integrated and sequential
information about the medieval Kashmir, eminent
rulers of Kashmir besides familiarising the reader
with historical and cultural aspects of Kashmir.
The essay on 'Kashmir under Hindu and Buddhist
era' is a convincing and illuminating analysis of
Kashmir especially under Buddhist rule. It brings
to life many centuries of Kashmir's rich past
which contributed to the emergence of a remarkable
civilisation at that time. The essay under the
heading 'Kashmir
as covered in Gulab-naama' sets in motion the life
and time of Maharaja Gulab Singh besides giving a
brief look at the history of
Jammu
and important happenings in
Kashmir during the said period. The essay on
ritualistic marriage songs and mythology is a
delightful glimpse into the tradition of 'Wanvun'
sung on the auspicious occasions.
Written in a simple and straight forward style supplemented by a
few sample songs, the essay is an invaluable peep
in this form of ancient ritual invocation of
Kashmir.
In the next essay 'Mysore as seen by the author',
the reader is introduced to a rich mix of
heritage, history, richness and variety of the
landscape. The densely informative and absorbing
account is sure to stimulate the imagination of a
reader bitten by the wander bug. The last essay
of the book is a life odyssey and literary sojourn
of the author Sh. Arjan Dev Majboor, an
accomplished writer, poet and researcher. It is a
vividly relived memoir, which is replete with
nostalgia filled yesterdays besides having heavier
and lighter moments of life. It also unfolds
identifiable and tensely felt situations in
addition to moments of despondency doubts, hopes
and aspirations in the author's life.
In a plainspeak, the book entitled 'Tahqiq' , written
in nastaliq
Kashmir by Sh. Arjan Dev Majboor is an essay to read
and understand refreshing work.
Unquestionably, this insightful book is an essential reading for
anyone having an appetite for awareness and
enlightenment.
*The author is a well-known Researcher on History and Culture of
Kashmir.
Source: Kashmir
Sentinel
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