Amir Khusrau- Life, Work and Contribution

Abu’l Hasan Yamīn ud-Dīn Khusrau, popularly known as Amir Khusrau (1253 to October 1325). He was the first Islam musicologist in Indian art and culture. Khusrau is considered an Indo-Persian Sufi singer who was also a spiritual disciple of Khwaja Syed Muhammad Nizamuddin Auliya (Popularly known as Hazrat Nizamuddin).

This article will discuss, Amir Khusrau’s biography, his profession and major works in contemporary times, his contributions to Indian art and culture, and much more.

Amir Khusrau

Overview – Amir Khusrau Biography

In the year of 1253, Khusrau was born in a Sunni family in Patiyali, Kasganj district of present Uttar Pradesh (former “Doab” region). Here are some details mentioned below.

Overview – Amir Khusrau Biography
Birth Year	1253 AD
Birth Place	Patiyali, Kasganj district of present Uttar Pradesh (former “Doab” region).
Empire	Delhi Sultanate
Father’s Name	Amīr Saif ud-Dīn Mahmūd
Mother’s Name	Bibi Daulat Naz
Siblings	Aftab-e Sitar, Nizamuddin Ahmad, Muhammad Hasan
Brought Up	Kesh town, Samarkand (Present Uzbekistan).
Languages Known	Arabic Persian Turkish Hindi Sanskrit Braj Bhasha
Notable Works	Wrote so many poems in various forms. Contributed in Urdu and Persian literature. An expert of Islamic philosophy. Renowned scholar.
Death	October, 1325
Lived For	71 – 72 Years
Burial Place	Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah complex, Delhi, India

Who Was Amir Khusrau?

Amir Khusrau was a Persian poet and scholar of the medieval Delhi Sultanate. Khusrau wrote around 500000 verses in various languages. He was the first person who wrote world’s first printed dictionary in both Persian and Hindi. He was married to the daughter of the chief justice of Delhi (Malik Yajju). Khusrau had several children. Amir Khusrau’s son, Amir Hasan made significant contributions to Sufi poetry in later periods.

Now we are going to discuss the various professions, role and responsibilities of Amir Khusrau.

Profession and Works of Amir Khusrau

Amir Khusrau was a multi-talented personality who served in so many professions. Majorly, he contributed a lot in the literature and music to shape the medieval Islamic world of the Indian subcontinent. Here are some professions mentioned below:

Professions and Works of Amir Khusrau
Poet	A renowned poet who majorly wrote in Persi language. Earliest and most prominent poet of Indo-Persian literary works. Written genres: Ghazals, Masnavis, and Qawwalis.
Musician	He was a skilled musician. Developed so many musical forms like Qawwali. Played a significant role in the North Indian classical music. Blended the Persi and Indian music tunes.
Sufi Mystic	Khusrau was associated with Chisti Sufi Order. Spiritual disciple of Khwaja Syed Muhammad Nizamuddin Auliya. Wrote so many Sufi poems on divine love and mysticism.
Scholar	He was a scholar of history and philosophy. Also proficient in Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Sanskrit and Hindi.
Courtier	He played roles of courtier particularly for Delhi Sultanate and Khilji dynasty.

Contributions of Amir Khusrau to Hundustani Music

Amir Khusrau’s diverse knowledge in music helped India to grow in the field of art and culture. He produced a variety of different songs and poetry which motivates us still today. Here are some contributions of Amir Khusrau as mentioned below.

Contributions of Amir Khusrau to Hundustani Music
Sitar	He created a stringed instrument, known as Sitar. The instrument has a long neck and a gourd shaped body, widely used in Hindustani classical music. Later, the Mughals introduced this instrument in India around 16th century.
Qawwali	The Qawwali musical form proves the briliant side of Khusrau. In 13th century, he fused the Persian, Turkic, Arabic, and Indian singing styles together and created Qawwali.
Tarana and Trivat	Tarana and Trivat were also invented by Khusrau. Khusrau used uk-akaras and p-akaras and nonsensical terms to create this melody.

Contributions of Amir Khusrau to Sufism

Sufism comes from the Arabic word ‘Suf’ which means wool. Khusrau wrote so many sufi poems to emphasize love and devotion to the divine. His Sufi teachings and practices has a long lasting impact in the Indian subcontinent. Amir Khusrau believed that expressing love for God was a way to connect with the divine. His ideas about love and mysticism deeply influenced other Sufi thinkers, shaping how they approached spirituality, art, and literature.

Contributions of Amir Khusrau to the development of Hindavi

Hindavi was an another concept was coined by Khusrau. Amir Khusrau primarily wrote in Persian. But,

• Some verses in Hindustani (Hindavi) are attributed to him, though evidence suggests he may not have written them before the 18th century.
• The Hindustani verses are written in a very contemporary language.
• Khusrau composed a Punjabi war ballad.
• He was proficient in Sanskrit and Arabic.
• His poems are still performed at Sufi shrines across Pakistan and India.

Major Books Written By Amir Khusrau

Here are some major books written by Amir Khusrau:

Major Books Written By Amir Khusrau
In Qiran-us-Sadain	Historical masnavi was written in the form of poetry. Explains the encounter between Kaiqubad and Bughra Khan.
Dewan-ul-Futuh	Verse-based work. Descriptions of Jalaluddin Khalji’s military operations.
Dewan Rani and Khizr Khan	This is a masnavi. The tale of Khizr Khan and Dewal Rani’s romantic adventures.
Nuh-i-Sipihr	Text about political and social circumstances under Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah.
Khazain-ul-Fatuh	Written in prose. Descriptions of Alauddin Khalji’s achievements.
Tughluq-Nama	Historical masnavi. Narrates the triumph of Chiasuddin Tughluq over Khusrau Khan is highlighted.

Legacy of Amir Khusrau

Amir Khusrau, also known as “Tuti-e-Hind,” is hailed as the “father of Urdu literature,” the “voice of India,” and the “Parrot of India.”

• Khusrau wrote poetry primarily in Persian but also in Hindavi, and he is credited with the creation of Haliq Bari, a poetry vocabulary combining Arabic, Persian, and Hindavi words.
• He was recognized as the “creator of qawwali,” a Sufi devotional singing style prevalent in Pakistan and India, Khusrau introduced India to the ghazal music style.
• The fusion of Persian and Hindi poetry strengthened the friendship and cultural understanding between Hindus and Muslims in India.
• Khusrau mixed the Persian and Arabic influences into Hindustani classical music, He was the creator of Qawwali and lyrical poetry in Hindustani (Urdu).
• He also credited the sitar and various musical genres like khayal and Tarana.
• Khusrau was fluent in Turkish, Arabic, Persian.
• He was a multilingual intellectual who mastered languages like Khariboli, Braj Bhasha, and Awadhi, along with studying Sanskrit.
• Khusrau’s linguistic ability extended across regions, including Awadh, Delhi, and Punjab.

Amir Khusrau in Today’s Culture

In today’s art and culture, Amir Khusrau and his works made a great impact.

• In the 1978 movie “Junoon,” was based on Amir Khusrau’s poem “Aaj Rung Hai”. It is featured as a symbol of resistance.
• A documentary “Amir Khusro,” explored his life and works. It was released in 1974 and was produced by the Film Division of the Government of India.
• An Indian television program called “Amir Khusro,” aired on DD National in the 1980s.
• Actor Bhawani Muzamil portrayed Amir Khusro as Alauddin Khalji’s court poet in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2018 movie “Padmaavat.”
• Khusro’s poem “Sakal bun phool rahi sarson,” related to Basant. It was referenced in a comic issue of “The Magnificent Ms. Marvel” by Saladin Ahmed, receiving praise on social media for its inclusion.
• Pakistani vocalist Meesha Shafi and instrumental funk group Mughal-e-Funk collaborated to release a version of Khusro’s poem on December 25, 2020.

Tughlaq Dynasty and Amir Khusrau

Amir Khusrau had a significant connection with the Tughlaq Dynasty. He particularly made a deep connection during the reign of Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq. Here are some points:

• Amir Khusrau served as a prominent courtier. He held some official positions in the court of Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
• Amir Khusrau wrote the “Tughlaqnama”. It is a historical book that provides an account of the events and occurrences during the reign of Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
• “Tughlaqnama” is a valuable source to understand the political and social landscape of that time.
• Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq recognized and supported his talents in poetry, music, and other intellectual pursuits.
• Amir Khusrau’s involvement helped in the cultural and artistic developments of the time.

Khilji Dynasty and Amir Khusrau

Amir Khusrau’s relation with the Khilji Dynasty marked as a period of cultural vibrancy and intellectual exchange.

• Amir Khusrau was a prominent courtier in the Khilji court.
• He served as a poet and advisor to multiple rulers, including Alauddin Khilji.
• Alauddin Khilji was known for his knowledge of the arts.
• He was a poet and musician during this period.
• Khusrau’s contributions to music and poetry were recognized and encouraged by the Khilji rulers.
• Amir Khusrau wrote the “Khazain-ul-Futuh” (The Treasures of Victory), a historical work documenting Alauddin Khilji’s military campaigns.
• Amir Khusrau credited Qawwali which evolved as a fusion of Persian and Indian musical elements.

Frequently Asked Questions – Amir Khusrau

Who patronized Amir Khusrau?

Alauddin Khilji patronized Amir Khusrau.

Why is Amir Khusro called Indian Parrot?

Amir Khusro called Indian Parrot because he praised his poems as precious “pearls”.

Who is Amir Khusro to Alauddin Khilji?

Amir Khusro was the court poet of Alauddin Khilji.

What instrument did Amir Khusro invent?

Amir Khusro invented Sitar.

Who wrote chaap Tilak?

Amir Khusro wrote chaap Tilak. It was Ghazal written by him.

Which book was written by Amir Khusrau?

“Khazain-ul-Futuh” and “Tughlaqnama” were written by Amir Khusrau.