The History of Pashto Literature

 

Preface 

If talk about Pashto classical poetry, we should know that before Islam the form of Pashto Literature was existed in different orthography, which is recently not existed.  Even if it was written down on Stone, still it would need experts to recognize it. It is also because of the laziness, inconsideration and reckless of Pashtons and foreigner invaders that made way to destroy the old literature and history of Pahstuns.   

             Till now, the evidence that we received are in the form of poetry which can be found in three Centers, but many things were written in old period as well which are also not existed anymore. The only evidence of Pashtu Literature is in three Centers (Ghowr, The Mountain of Kasi and Multan), Patta Khazana and Tazkir-ul-Awlia.

Keywords:

1-      Ghowr   2- The Mountain of Kasi  3-Multan     4- Amir Karor     5- Hamid Lodi  6- Shaikh Bitni.

Earlier Centers of Pashtu Literature

 Researchers believe that in 150 BC Pashtu Language had the capability to write a book in it.

   A set of poetry of a few languages is found in an old Temple (Mander), located in Rajistan province of India. In that set of poetry there were a few poem of Pashtu. Roshan Lal Malothra informed us from the existence of that set of poetry. He said, the set of Pashtu poetry which is written in Hindi orthography, is seem to be structured as similar as the form of “Pashto Landy”. This poetry is about specific prayers.

This Poetry is not analyzed yet, but after the analysis of these poets it will make it clear that when this poetry is written? Whose poetry is this? The form of orthography made us believed that this poetry is written before Islam. Page 70 (History of Pashto language).

Also, Daryush an Iranian Hakhmanshi tribe famous king, who ruled from 522 to 484. By his command, a written stone was found on the mountain of Baghstan. There is an epic written in the fourth line and 63/64 clause. Doctor Moyeen, the teacher of Iran University introduce us the three line of that epic.

1.      Ne arika ahum

2.      Ne drau ja na ahum

3.      Ne zura ka ra ahum

Page 320 (Habibi)

These lines made clear the existence of Pashtu language before Islam and it’s similarity with other languages. 

A few part of Pashtu literature were mixed with those ancient languages or old Pashtu were too similar with old Persian. Even making a little deference in Pashtu could lead to make that old language.

When somebody study the evidence of old literature which are received recently, it seems that these old evidence are existed in the  centers where local government and tribal authorities of Pashtuns existed. Pashtuns posses the political power there.

Before we talk about the existence of Pashtu literature in those centers, we should not forget about the Loykan royal family of ghazni which was existed in 8^th century. The areas from Gardez to Zabulistan were under their control. They also had a very good relationship with local royal families. The older man of Ghazni Loykan family named Joyer, who lived nearly in 738. The power of this family was eradicated by Sabtgeen (976). According to abdul Hay Habibi’s research, Loykan family seems to be related with Khelji Pashtuns. These Khilji Pashtuns were living in the areas of Zabulistan to Ghazni and still living there.

 

We have received a Pashtu poem of Loyek of Loykan family. The speaker of the poem is unknown. This poem is taken by Abdul Hay Habibi from Sultan Sakhi Sarwar’s hand written book.

 

The interpretation of the poem:

When the superior of Ghazni Loyek were forcefully converted to Islam, another Loyek sent this letter from Kabul which can be interpret as follow.  

“Alas! Idol of Loyek is Buried in Ghazni,  Loya lost their superiority, don’t support Nazian (Arab) I will sent you the army”. Page 23 (Pashtun Aqa Sherzad).

The result which is taken from the linguistic analysis of this poem indicate that in the beginning of Islamic period , the Pashtu in the east side were similar with Pahlway language.

After the interpretation of Ghazni Loykan Pashtu poem I will return to the main purpose of the three major centers of Pashtu Literature which established Pashtu Literature in the earlier centuries of Islam. The earlier literature of Pashtu which we received is established in the following three centers.

 

1.     Ghowr

Ghowr is the ancient and historical place of Afghanistan where series of rulers lived in that area. Many of those kings had a very important part in spreading of Islam. Sar-e-pul, Faryab, and Badghes provinces are located in the northeast part of this province. East and west part of this province is bordered with Herat province. The capital of this province is Chaghcharan City which is 38666 km. the altitude of the capital is 2250 meter. Page 289 (Aryana Daira Amaaf).

Ghowri pashtons are very important branch of Aryaye which came to Afghanistan with other tribes. They were living with their brotherhoods in old Aryana. These tribes and people create the basic of that nation. East branches of them were living in Partia. From old ages, the Soryan of Ghowr was very famous and before Islam they were ruling on their tribal. Page 121 (Mummad Sharif Zadran Pakhton Baheer)

Pahstuns and Tajik tribes lives in Ghowr province. Sultan Ghowry village, Sultan Alaudin village, and historical temple of Jam are important ancient places in Ghowr.

Word Ghowr is derived from (Gar) which mean sun. The rulers of Ghowr are the descendant of Shansab who are originally Sory Pashtuns. Sultan Razia, the ruler of Hindustan belong to this Province.

The evidence related to literature which we have, indicate that the literature which came exist is established from these places, where Pashtuns rules. Among these centers or these ancient places, Ghowr is the first or major center. Also, Ghowr is the historical part of Afghanistan where Amir Karor lived among these local kings. Makhzan Afghan and other books such as Qazi Ataullah (Pashtu History), Sheer Muhammad Gandapori (Khurshid Jahan), and Hayat Khan (Hayat Afghani) claimed that Ghowri or Ghowriakhel is Pashtun tribe who lived in Ghowr. In Kand Bin Kharkhbon Bin Sarhban descendant named Ghowri is mentioned, whose original name was Shaikh Ibrahim. He was born in Ghowr, that why he is called to be Ghowri. His descendant is still called Ghowri or Ghowriakhel. Page 25 (Sherzad)

Afghanistan famous historian Mir Ghulam Mohammad Ghobar mentioned in his book (Afghanistan wa Nigahi ba Tarekh/ Afghanistan and a look on its history) that by the passing of time Ghowr ancient language left its place to a few local accents and Pashtu. And by the repeated immigration of Pashtuns the Pashtu language become very common there. Before Islam Two brothers named Soor and Saam, were ruling in Ghowr. The elder Soor was a local king and the younger Saam was chief of army.

 

The named of Ghowr Soori royal family ancestor was Shansab (Green/Blue Horse). His father name was Kharank. He converted to Islam in the times of Hazrat Ali. He is considered the king of Ghowr. Shansab’s son name was Amir Polad who gained his ancestor pride once again. By the time when Abu Muslim Khurasani exile Beni Aumia kinglets from Khurasan and stand by Abas side., Amir Polad exiled Ghowr armies by support of Bin Muslim and try his best to keep the kingdom of Abas safe. Page 28 (Hewadmal)

Pata Khazana is another origin of Pashtu literature history. Pata Khaza book was written by Dawod khan in 1729 in the court of Shah Hussain.  Mohammad Bin Dawod Hotak book (Larghoni Pokhtana) which was written in 1446 by Shaikh Katta Matizai and Mohmmad Bin Ali Albasti book (Trekh Soori) which was written in 1252 claimed that Amir Karor was the son of Amir Polad, who was the king of Ghowr in Mandesh in 756.

     Amir Karor captured Balashtan, Khesar, Tamran, and Barkoshak forts and other parts of Ghowr. His kingdom has two capitals Mandesh and Zamindawar. Ibrahim Atai has written in his book (Helmand da Kaltor pa Saha ke) that in winter seasons the capital of Amir Karor was Zamindawar, where he made a castle. He was hunting and poetry there. Page 116 (Helmand da Kaltor pa Saha ke)

Zamindawar is derived from two words Zon(sun) which refer to English word sun, and Dawar which mean place.

It is written in Behqi History:

In 652 Zamindawar was captured by Arabs. Many people were killed from both sides. The number of dead of Arab army reached to Four Thousands (4000). Abdurahman Bin Samra was the chief of Islamic army, who was the governor of Sestan after Rabi Bin Zyad Haris. Arabs gained a lot of booty, among those they gained the Idol of gold which eyes were made of rubies from Ghowr temple. At that period, the people of Ghowr worship the sun. page 43 (Reshad, Kandahar Yadakhtona)

The first poet of Pashtu language, whose first poetry is available is the poetry of Amir Karor which is spoken in 756 year in Ghowr.

Writer: Professor Israr Shinwari 

Translator: Farhad Mashwani