MARCH 18

Persian Influence on Indian Culture

Persian influence on Indian Culture is a vast subject with many sides to it. Here I should like to deal very briefly with just one aspect of it, that is, the role of Persian sayings and poetry on Indian society, and in particular their moral impact.

Last November on a return journey from Baroda to Delhi by a morning flight of Indian Airlines I happened to make the acquaintance of a fellow passenger, an elderly Hindu. He turned out to be Mr. Muchkund Dubey, formerly, of the Indian foreign service and now living in Delhi. As usual on such journeys, I had taken my pen out of my bag and had begun to write. Mr. Dubey asked, “Are you writing in Urdu or Persian?” I asked him whether he knew Persian. He replied in the affirmative and said that he had been to Iran. I asked him if he could quote some Persian saying from memory. He thereupon wrote down this saying of Shaikh Saadi: Cheguna shukr nemat guzaram, ke mardum Azari nadaram. (How can I ever thank God that I am bereft of all power to torment people.)

This small anecdote reminds us of a whole generation of literate Hindus and, Muslims who, in days gone by, were generally acquainted with Persian. Wise Persian sayings and couplets were always on people’s lips, and were repeated in gatherings, just as happens today with English sayings.

Persian had been dominated in India for about 700 years before it was ousted by the English language, soon after the arrival of the British. This dominance was due to Persian being the language of all the Muslim conquerors who came to India, with the exception of Mohd. bin Qasim. Since, perforce, the public followed the example of the kings, Persian language and cultured flourished.

The influence of this historical process can still be seen even today in different forms. For instance the words of greetings, like ‘Khush Amded’ or the phrases used in parting like ‘Khuda Hafiz’ are direct legacies of Persian culture.

During this period, Persian culture became so popular that people memorized innumerable sayings and couplets, which had the effect of strengthening and perpetuating Persian influence. This was to have both a cultural and moral impact on Indian society.

At this point, I should like to present certain sayings and couplets which illustrate our indebtedness to the Persian influence in reinforcing high moral values in India. I think you will find that these are self-explanatory.

1. Follow the right path, even if it is longer.
2. Musk speaks for itself, not the salesman.
3. Opt for a path and stick to it.
4. Food is for the sake of life, not life for the sake of food.
5. Richness is in the heart, not in wealth.
6. One who digs wells for others, will find a well before him.
7. Sometimes the best answer is not to give any answer.
8. Kill the cat the very first day.
9. Better late than never.
10. Seeing is better than hearing.
11. Seek and you will find.
12. One quintal of knowledge requires ten quintals of wisdom.
13. An elder is one who is wise, not one who is older.
14. Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.
15. Like for others what you like for yourself.
16. A hint suffices for a wise man.
17. Drops of water make the river.