THE GIST of Editorial for UPSC Exams : 08 APRIL 2019 (From Mughals to Sufi poets, Holi has been part of Muslim culture, literature (Indian Express)

From Mughals to Sufi poets, Holi has been part of Muslim culture, literature (Indian Express)

Mains Paper 5: History
Prelims level: Holi
Mains level: Medieval History

Context

• Holi always falls in the month of March, which in the Mughal era fell close on the heels of another significant festival, Navroz.
• The Mughals were known to be liberal and openly enjoyed celebrating Indian festivals.
• Historian Zakaullah writes that Babur was so wonderstruck when he saw Holi celebrations where people were splashing around in a pool of coloured water that he followed suit and filled a pool with his favourite coloured liquid wine.
• Abul Fazal writes in Ain-e Akbarithat Akbar used to start collecting beautiful squirts and syringes of different sizes throughout the year in anticipation. This was one of the rare occasions when Akbar would come out from his fort and play Holi with even the commoners.
• Tuzk-e-Jahangiri mentions that Jahangir played Holi actively and organised musical gatherings.
• Shajahan would watch the Holi celebrations from the jharoka of Red Fort.
• He also gave it the name Eid-e-Gulabi(the festival of colour), Jashn-e-Aab-Pashi (the festival of spraying water).

Background

• During Shahjahan’s rule, a Holi fair was organised near what is today Rajghat which included pantomimes in which jesters would imitate the king and princes and nobody took offence.
• Bahadur Shah Zafar went as far as making Holi the official festival of the Red Fort and patronised a new genre of Urdu poetry called Hori, which was sung on the day of Holi.
• Before the Mughals, even Muslim Sufi poets had used this festive opportunity to propagate the message of brotherhood.
• Holi was celebrated at most Sufi monasteries.
• Nizammuddin Aulia, directed his protégée to compose poetry in the language of the commoners and started celebrating Holi at his monastery.
• Khusrau was not only an enthusiastic Holi player but also composed verse for the occasion: Aaj
  rang hai, maa ri aaj rang hai/Morey khwaja ke ghar aaj rang hai/Mohey peer payo Nijamuddin aulia/Des bides mien phiri ri, tera rang bhayo nijamuddin aulia/Aaj sajan mila morey aangan mien (Its colour today, my mother its colour today, My beloved is found in my own yard).

Celebrating the Holi

• This tradition of celebrating Holi became such an integral part of Sufi culture that even today, a ritual “rang” is observed on the last day of the annual celebrations at every shrine.
• Nawab Saadat Ali Khan and Asifuddaula would spend crores on Holi celebrations.
• Nazeer Akbarabadi, who is hailed as an enthusiastic ambassador of Hindu culture, composed
  eight long poems about Holi.
• Shah Niaz, a Sufi and a poet, was a contemporary of Nazeer. He wrote: Hori hoye rahi hai Ahmad geo ke duwar/Hazrat Ali ke rang bano hai Hasan Husain khilar. Shah Niaz (Holi is being played at the gate of Prophet Mohammad, Ali has brought colours, Husain and Hasan are playing).
• Qayam, an 18th century poet, In his long poem Chandpur ki Holi,Qayam paints a scene of an inebriated Maulvi who has forgotten his way to the mosque. This is the state of people on Holi.
• People from all spheres of life whether pious or habitual drinkers, celebrate together and indulge in mud-slinging.
• It makes everyone equal and free. Qayam ends his poem with a prayer: Ilahihai jab takke ye shor o shar ho alam mien/ Holi seybaqiasar (O God let the festivity of Holi survive till the world does).

Online Coaching for UPSC PRE Exam

General Studies Pre. Cum Mains Study Materials

Prelims Questions:

Q.1) Which of the following statements are correct?
1. Parliament can increase a tax.
2. Parliament cannot reduce a tax.
3. Parliament can abolish a tax.
4. Parliament cannot increase a tax.
5. Parliament can reduce a tax.

Choose the appropriate code:
a) 1, 3 and 5
b) 3, 4 and 5
c) 2, 3 and 4
d) 3 and 4

Answer: B

Mains Questions:
Q.1) The references to Holi are innumerable in Urdu poetry. Almost no important Urdu poet, from Khusrau to Sahir Ludhyanvi, left this topic untouched. Comment.