CORDIAL ANCIENT AND PRESENT ACADEMIC AND CULTURAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE PEOPLES OF TAJIKISTAN AND PAKISTAN

Amrezdan Ali Mardanov*

Translated by
Dr. Sher Zaman Taizi**

My large house is the roof of the world
From which I can see the world
Come on and see from the yard of my house;
You can see the face of Pakistan;
Come on and see independent Pakistan
Looking at you with open arms
To welcome you; the sun of the nation!
Having built a new heaven.
(Tajik poet; Mir Syed Mir Shakar; 20th century)

Social and cultural relations of the Tajik people, as a civilized and very ancient people of the Central Asia, with the peoples of the Indo-Pak sub-continent – in particular with those who belong to the land of Pakistan – has extremely ancient; long and extensive history behind. Researchers have concluded that during ancient times the people of Iranian origin and Iranian as well as the peoples of India and Pakistan formed a single Aryan nation with one language, same traditions and belief; and they lived together on the same land. With the passage of time, this single nation split into two wings; one settled permanently in Iran and the other trekked down to India and Pakistan to settle there. According to Vedas, the people of the sub-continent then called them Arya (which means relatives or noble/superior).1
Iranian also played remarkable role in introduction and propagation of the sacred religion of Islam (7-12 centuries and afterwards). The academic and cultural relations among Iranian peoples improved and the standard developed gradually. In those times some political thinkers, intellectuals and writers, along with representatives of other peoples from Transoxiana (Central Asia), Khurasan and Iran migrated to Pakistan and India and settled in various parts of those countries. They played active role in the literary life of the sub-continent and facilitated propagation of the language and literature of Persian in that country. Although all the invaders and rulers of the Indo-Pak sub­continent were not from Iranian origin, yet they were brought up in the environments of the civilization of Iran; so, they gave special attention to promotion, development and propagation of Persian language and literature as well as Iranian civilisation.
On the other side, a number of representative figures of knowledge and literature migrated from Transoxiana to the north-western part of the Indian sub-continent; i.e. the present Pakistan, m the 11th century. Of that group emerged talented literature figures of Persian like Abu Abdullah Rozba al-Takti al-Lahori, Abulfar Roni, Masood Salam Salman and Mi Hijveri alias Data Ganj Bakhsh. They were born and brought up in the literary environment of Lahore.
The rampant onslaught of Mughals and the rule of Chengizi Khans forced a great number of people from Transoxiana and Khurasan, including men of knowledge and letters, to migrate to the land of India and Pakistan. They found refuge in Punjab and Sindh. Poet and historian Minjah-ud-Din Jarjani, writers and masters of literature Mohammad ‘Anti Bukharayee, poet Badar Chachee. renowned writer and poet Zia-ud-Din Nakhshabi, father of Kbisro Delhvi, Sail-nd-Din Mahmood and others were also from those refugees.
The first Muslim family was that of Ghaznavis who introduced Persian language and literature when they conquered Indian sub-continent in the first half of the 11th century and established Lahore as the second capital. Since then (until the fail of India and Pakistan in the grip of British colonialists) it was used through centuries as official language in state and administrative works. In such situation and atmosphere, the influence and popularity of Persian gradually increased; its sphere of propagation expanded, graining improvement and force. The influence of the language and literature of Persian in structure and splendour of the new languages of the Indo-Pak sub­continent (Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali and Sindhi) and their literatures is visible, which gives clear indication to close relationship among these languages.
Persian and its style in the north-western part of the Indo-Pak sub-continent are absorbable. In the 13th century, these languages borrowed words from Persian and Arabic in large numbers. Through centuries they were called Rekhta, Hindvi and Hindustani. In the first half of the 19th century, it got, eventually, the name of Urdu and declared as such.2 According to the constitution of Pakistan, Urdu is the official language of Pakistan. As the lingua franca among various nationalities, it is extensively used in official business, literature, press, radio, television and cinema in this region.
According to information provided by historians of India and Pakistan, front the very beginning of their rule in the sub-continent, the British colonialist, unlike the previous rulers of this land, treated Muslims as well as their customs, traditions and beliefs and the Persian language, which was the tool of propagation of the sacred religion of Islam, like enemies, and tried to restrict the usage of Persian.3
Even in such unfavourable conditions, die ancient, long-standing durable and rich language and literature of Persian in the Indo-Pakistan sub-continent, and similarly, attachment of people, particularly the orthodox luminaries of that land who considered it inseparable part of their civilization and belief, did not allow it to perish and be forgotten so soon. Irrespective of propaganda and every kind of restrictions, a section of literati of India and Pakistan composed works in verse as well as in prose in Persian beside their respective mother languages and, thus, carried on the traditions of their ancestors. According to information made available from sources and books in the 19th and 20th centuries, more than a hundred poets lived only in Punjab who composed poetry in Persian. Among these poets, the distinguished literary figure Iqbal Lahori attained the highest and most important position. Like a great intellectual, intelligent and knowledgeable poet with fresh ideas, he composed most of his great and everlasting works in Persian in defiance to all the propaganda and efforts of alien colonialist, putting fresh spirit in that and, in this way, revived Persian literature in India and Pakistan and enriched it more and more.4 Due to Allama Iqbal, his followers and fans, the men of letters and those who have literary taste in Pakistan and India the tradition of composition of poetry in Persian still continues.
It may be noted that, irrespective of beautiful and meaningful works of Amir Khisro and other notable writers of that era in the second half of the 13th and the first half of the 14th century, the Persian literature in the Indian sub­continent was, in fact, under the influence of the literatures of Fan and Tajik in Transoxiana, Khurasan and Iran and benefited from their ideas until the second half of the 16th century. However, with the passage of time, the stable relation of Persian literature of India and Pakistan with the literatures of Fans and Tajik in Transoxiana, Khurasan and Iran, was slackening since the second half of the 16th century. In the meantime, relation of these literatures as well as literatures of other peoples of that land with the life and important problems of daily life of peoples in India developed. They resisted the differences between Hindus and Muslim. Main themes of their preaching, besides other critical and vital problems, related to co-existence among different peoples. In quantity the literature of Persian speakers in India and Pakistan was more; history, biographies, dictionaries and grammar of Persian language are better than literatures in other Persian speaking countries. At this state, outcome and achievements of literatures of Persian speakers of India and Pakistan are used by literary figures in other Persian speaking countries. For example, in other Persian speaking countries, Indian style and structure originated from the Indo-Pak sub­continent developed and evolved into a compound style.
According to available information, the share of various disciplines of mysticism, their preceptors and followers, in establishment and strengthening of cultural and spiritual relations between the peoples of Transoxiana and Khurasan with those of India and Pakistan, through the Middle Ages, is quite visible. The spheres of approaches and disciplines of mysticism among various classes of the peoples of India and Pakistan (from Kings and high ranking officials down to the common man) widened with increasing number of believers and devotees. One of those famous Sheikhs and preceptors in mysticism was renowned poet and writer Mullah Shah Badakhshi (d; 1622) who spent a part of his life in Kashmir. Shah Jehan, the King of India from Timur family, intelligent and freedom-loving prince Dara Shuko and the talented Queen Jehan Ara Begum were his true disciples and devotees.
It may be noted that, irrespective of difficulties and problems of life, resistance, differences and restrictions through the history, good scientific and social relations between Transoxiana, Khurasan, Pakistan and India continued and grew stronger in various fields i.e. learning, literature, arts, music, painting, architecture, publications etc. In fact, these relations had never severed. After the British occupied Indian sub-continent, they tried to cut that land from other states and establish relations of that land with other countries. However, that did not work. In those days, in some cities of India and Pakistan, some old scientific and literary works of Persian speakers were published in lithography and circulated in various ways in other countries far and away. Irrespective of the aim and objective of that business, initiators and workers of that cultural programme - the good work - on one hand, provided relief to sufferers, and, on the other, held up communication in a vast circle of Persian speakers and those interested in ancient works.
During the existence of the super power of the Soviet Union (1917-1991), when Tajikistan was integrated in that as a Republic, relations of the Tajik people maintained relations, mostly in scientific and cultural fields, with peoples of the Indo-Pak sub-continent through diplomatic channels of the Soviet Union.
After the creation of Pakistan in 1947, cultural relations of Tajikistan with that country improved and widened. From that time, study and research has started in Tajikistan in the rich and valuable literatures of Persian speakers and the everlasting works in prose and verse of distinguished literary figures of India and Pakistan. This is a sort of introductory era for literary figures of Tajikistan and Pakistan to learn and know about distinguished literary figures of these countries, their ideas and their scientific and literary works. Exchange of visits of literary and enlightened figures, their participation in conferences and symposiums and other social and literary gatherings in these countries, composition of heartfelt poems by poets and Pakistan, translation and printing of books and brochures, research articles, memoirs and travel accounts have played important role in this field.5
Seasoned Tajik writers, poets and intellectuals and famous masters like S. ‘Aini, M Tarsunzadeh. M Mir Shakar, B Ghafurov, A Mirzayov and M Asmi were in the forefront in establishment and strengthening of relations of Tajikistan with Pakistan and India, particularly with Pakistan. Every one of them wrote articles and heartfelt poems as regards this beautiful scenic land and its bright figures of knowledge and literature. There were sincere friends among the writers and intellectuals of that country like Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Hafeez Jullunden, Hisam-ud-Din Rashdi, Hakim Mohammad Saeed, Ahmad Hassan Dam and others.
At last, with the efforts of A Mirzayov and indirect support by B Ghafurov, the branch of oriental studies and literary heritage (Institute of Oriental Studies since 1970) was opened in the department of the Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan. Along with other disciplines related to the Central Asia and around, one is engagement of its researchers in learning history of literature of Persian speakers of India and Pakistan from 11th to 20th centuries as well as cultural and literary relations of Tajik with the peoples of the Indo-Pak sub-Continent. Tajik researchers through various eras of the history of literature of Persian speakers of India and Pakistan and their famous and distinguished representatives - Masood Sa’d Salman, Atta Yaqub, Usman Mukhtar, Abul-farj Roni, Mohanimad Oofi, Badar Chachee, Khisro Delhvi, Hassan DeIhvi, Zia-e-­Nakhshabi, Faizia Dakanni, Abdul Fazal Alami, Urfi Sherazi, Talib A-Mola, Abdu Talib Kalim, Fani Kashmiri, Ghani Kashmiri. Dara Shukoh, Sayeb Tebrizi, Zaib-un-­Nisa Baidil, Mir Ghulam Ali Khan Azad, Mirza Ghalib, Hali, Mohammad lqbal etc, - have composed series of research articles. Their works have been published in various forms to develop a clear concept.
As regards the works accomplished in Tajikistan, in particular on men of letters of Persian speakers of Pakistan and India, a reference to the works on Mohammad Iqbal only will be sufficient to substantiate the arguments. Tajik people came to know about the person and poetry of Mohammad Iqbal for the first time in 1958 through an article by renowned Tajik poet Mir Syed Mir Shakar under the title of Mohammad Iqbal, which was published in magazine Sharq-e-Surkh (The Red East) after his return from Pakistan. After that, selections of objective and attractive poetry of this poet and thinker were published in various forms as well as the whole (in form of Kuliyat), which created a vast circle of readers. During the past about 50 years, several research works in form of booklets and articles were published in Tajikistan with reference to various trends and innovations of Mohammad Iqbal and his inspiring works. It may not be irrelevant to say that every year special academic conferences are held to celebrate the birth day of Mohammad Iqbal in the Institute of Oriental Studies and Literary Heritage of Tajikistan.
In 1949 and 1977, centenaries of Mir Ghalib and Mohammad were observed in Tajikistan with great pomp and show. On this occasion, samples of their works as well as research booklets and articles on their lives and works were published. Apart from this, verses from the poetries of past and contemporary poets of Pakistan, in original as well as their translations, are heard frequently from radio and television of Tajikistan. In Pakistan, synopsis of works of Tajik writers and poets, such as S. Aini, Alahooti, M. Tarsunzadeh, M. Mir Shakar and booklet and articles on B Ghafurov, A. Mirzayov, M. Asmi, A. Ghafurov, Sh Puladowa and others have been published.
It may be added that a number of researchers are busy in research on languages and literatures of Urdu and Pushto in the Institute of Oriental Studies and Literary Heritage of Tajikistan as well as in the department of philology of India and Pakistan in the government national university (where student of Urdu and Pushto languages and literatures are studying). Their research works are published in forms of booklet as well as in articles in collections and magazines.
Articles on life and works of famous contemporary poets and writers of Urdu and Pushto are published in various publications of Tajikistan. Selections of their works have been published The works on life and works of famous poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz and brilliant writer Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi6 were published which earned much popularity in the circle of art and literature of Tajikistan. The original aim of these publications is to bring to light the literary life in Pakistan and its poets and writers in a vast circle of the people of Tajikistan.
The Tajikistani branch of the Soviet-Pakistan Friendship Society (formed in 1966) has played important role in strengthening and maintenance of academic and cultural relations between Tajikistan and Pakistan. The exchange of visits of intellections and writers of these countries, their participation in various literary and academic conferences and meetings and fraternisation with each other and acquaintance with literary and academic circles of these countries is gradually increasing. In this connection, a series of academic and cultural functions were held in Tajikistan and Pakistan between 1950 and 1980. Observance of the decade of the civilization of Pakistan in Tajikistan (17-26 September) and the decade of the civilization of Tajikistan in Pakistan (25 November to 26 December) has great impact particularly on social and cultural fields that has led to establish and promote cultural relations with friendly and brotherly country. Head of the faculty of language and literature of Persian in the Lahore University Professor Sufi Ghulam Mustafa Tabassum, Professor Habibullah. Mr Mukhtar Ahmad and others have taken part in this important cultural struggle having acquired knowledge about the life of the people of Dushanbe, Khajand and Narak cities. The then Minister of Culture of Tajikistan Professor Mehrban Nazarov, poet Shikohi, Professor of the Government University of Tajikistan Professor Hilal Karimov and famous Tajik artists Ahmad Babaqulov A Nazarov participated in the celebrations of the cultural decade of Tajikistan in Pakistan. They visited various places and held discussions with men of letters and representatives from other strata of Pakistan.
Since Tajikistan got independence as a Republic (in 1991), the situation took positive turn to maintenance and promotion of multifarious relations with other countries of the world, including the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the emergence of Tajikistan as an independent Republic, Pakistan did not lose time in joining the first row of independent states to accord official recognition and establish diplomatic relations with that (in June 1992).
One of the factors in taking special interest by Pakistan and Tajikistan in establishment of diplomatic, economic and commercial relations is the previous historical ties in cultural and religious fields of the peoples of these two states. Former Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Tajikistan. Mr Mohammad Aqil Nadim, expressed his views as regards establishment of multifarious relations between Pakistan and Tajikistan as: “I have the honour to say that the uneven historical ties of out people are being stabilised and that relations between our countries enter the phase of mutual understanding and co-existence. Pakistan will co-operate with Tajikistan in all fields.”
Soon after recognition of the Republic of Tajikistan by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan the airline between Dushanbe and Karachi was opened. By the end of June 1992, former President of Tajikistan, late Rahmanov Nabiyov, paid the first visit to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. During that visit, a number of important bilateral agreements in economics, commercial, academic and cultural fields were signed. However, due to some untoward circumstances in Tajikistan in those days, those agreements could not materialise. After a short time, relations between Tajikistan and Pakistan were restored and promoted to higher degree. In pursuance of bilateral agreements, a number of Tajik students go to Pakistan every year to study English language, diplomacy, accounting, auditing and disciplines related to gas and oil.
The improvement of situation in Tajikistan and the official visit to Islamabad of a high-level delegation under President Imomoli Rahmanov of the Republic of Tajikistan in March 1994 levelled ground for useful bilateral co­operation between Tajikistan and Pakistan. During that visit, some important agreements were signed; one of them related to brotherly relations between Lahore and Dushanbe cities and another one provided for long-term loan to the tune of 20 millions for economic development in Tajikistan and construction of hydro-election power station at Raghun.

During the last few years, several academic, cultural and social meetings were held in Tajikistan as well as in Pakistan which were attended by delegations of representatives of arts and sciences. During this time, the 480th anniversary of Mir Syed Hamadani was celebrated in Tajikistan; a round-table conference on future relations between Tajikistan and Pakistan in different fields and the 5th international conference of teachers of the languages and literatures of Persian and Tajik were also held. Representatives of arts and sciences from Pakistan attended all these evens.
Islamic Republic of Pakistan struggled during the state of tension and violence in Tajikistan for restoration of normalcy, peace and tranquillity in this ancient country. Pakistan attended all negotiations on Tajikistan as observer with some other countries. One round of negotiations (the third) was held in Islamabad. Later, leaders and people of Pakistan welcomed signing of an accord among Tajik (factions) in Moscow on restoration of peace.
The improvement of the situation in Tajikistan made conditions congenial to strength and promote relations in economic, commercial, academic and cultural fields. In this way, independence and improvement of the situation in our country provided facilities for improvement of friendship and co-operation. We should avail of the opportunity of this era for developments in economic and commercial fields and promotion of academic and cultural relations.
Hence, we and you are bound to improve our relations and redouble our efforts in the common interests of our countries.