Lecture during Sham.e.Ghazal program organised by Ameer Khusro Foundation : Amir Khusro's genius as a musician speak volumes, for he is responsible for the invention of the tabla. The term tabla is derived from an Arabic word, tabl, which simply means "drum.",. Together with the invention of the sitar, the grand lute. Named after a Persian instrument called the setar (meaning "three strings"). The instrument appears to have descended from long-necked lutes taken to India from Central Asia. The first prototype instruments were invented during the Delhi Sultanate period of the 13th/14th centuries when the Persian patrons of music and poetry encouraged innovation in Indian art. The sitar flourished in the 16th and 17th centuries and arrived at its present form in the 18th century. Today it is the dominant instrument in Hindustani music. Both these instruments are the foundation of India's classical musical heritage.[19][20][21] The development of the Tabla originated from the need to have a drum that could be played from the top in the sitting position to enable more complex rhythm structure's that were required for the new Indian Sufi vocal style of singing/chanting and Zikr. At the same time to complement the complex early Sitar melodies that Khusro was composing. The Tabla uses a "complex finger tip and hand percussive" technique played from the top, unlike the Pakhawaj and mridangam which mainly use the full palm and are sideways in motion and are more limited in terms of sound complexity. Amir Khusrow,once said a famous couplet for Kashmir. "Gar firdaus bar roo-e zameen ast, Hameen ast-o hameen ast-o hameen ast " In the year 683A.H./1283A.D Jinar Khan a Mongol, invaded India. Khan Mohd his patron was killed in battle trying to stop the invasion. The deep grief of brave Prince Khan Mohd remained in his heart forever. He wrote the two elegy (sorrowful poems) of Prince Khan Mohd describing him the most generous, brave and good human being. At the old age of eighty, King Balban called his second son Bughra Khan from Bengal, but he refused to come back to Delhi. After King Balban's death his grandson Kikabad was made the King of Delhi who was 17 years of age. Khusro remained in his service for two years (686 A.H to 687 A.H/1286 to 1287 A.D.). After the death of Kikabad, a Turk soldier Jalaluddin Khilji took power and became the King. He was a poet and loved poets. Khusro was highly honoured and respected in his Darbar and was known as "AMIR KHUSRO". He was made secretary to the King "Mushaf-Dar". His status was raised to 'Amarat'. The darbar life made Amir Khusro focus more on literary works. Khusro's Ghazals which he composed in quick succession were set to music and were sung by singing girls every night before King Jalaluddin Khilji. Amir Khusro was rewarded beyond expectations and was acknowledged in a following verse. "The King of the world Jalal uddin, in reward for my infinite pain which I undertook in composing verses, bestowed upon me an unimaginable treasure of wealth." King Khilji was a brave soldier and an able administrator. He expanded his Empire and won four battles in a year. He ruled for 6 years from 689A.H/1289A.D to 695A.H/1295A.D. He was murdered by the men of Allauddin Khilji, his nephew and son-in-law. Allauddin Khilji then ascended the throne of Delhi on 22nd Zilhaj 695A.H/1295A.D. Amir Khusro wrote a short auto-biographical Masnavi called "Shah Name mun"—of Allauddin's life. Amir Khusro was the few notables who blessed Allauddin Khilji. Alauddin Khilji was one of the great ruler's of India in the Delhi Sultanate empire. He was a strong man, hard in nature, brave and intelligent soldier. He expanded his Empire to Deccan in South and far to East and west of India. He ruled for twenty one years. Hazrat Amir Khusro enjoyed his patronage and developed much of his works. Amir Khusro in his book "Khazinatul-Futuh" (the treasures of victory) penned down Allauddin's construction works, wars, peace and security, administrative services. Further in another poetical work Masnavi "Matta-ul-Anwaar" (Fountain of light) consisted of 3310 verses (completed in 15 days) had the theme of "Love of God". The second masnavi, "Shireen" consisted of 4000 verses. The third Masnavi "Laila Majnu" story of Laila and Majnu and their romance. The fourth voluminous Masnavi was "Aina-e-Sikandari" had 4500 verses relating to the heroic deeds of Alexander the Great. The fifth Masnavi was "Hasht Bahisht" related to the events of King Bahram Gaur. All these works made Amir Khusro a leading luminary in the poetical world. The King Allauddin Khilji was highly pleased by his works and rewarded him handsomely.

• published: 06 Dec 2013
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