R. M. Chopra - Historian

This monumental book deals with the glorious heritage of Indo-Persian language and literature which dominated the literary and cultural firmament of the Indian subcontinent from the eleventh to the nineteenth centuries, the influence it exercised on the formation of Hindi/Urdu and other regional languages, and then its decline set in in the wake of establishment of colonial rule in the Indian subcontinent. The book also throws light on the legacy bestowed by Persian on the growth of India's composite culture. ;l,.

For more than a millennium , the Persian language simultaneously thrived in Iran and India and the main reason for this rich classical persian lit, especially classical Persian Poetry which flourished conti and uninterrupted. Between the tenth and the 17th centuries there were legions of poets of exceptional poetiic talent , great insight and uncanny genius who embellished Persian poetry with their master-pieces which was made classical Persian poetry as one of the greatest lits. of the world.One of the multitudinous poets , description of about 12 most brilliant Poets of classical Persian Poetry has been given by Mr R M Chopra : FERDOWSI , OMAR Khayyam, Nizami , Attar ,Rumi , Sa'di, Hafiz , Jami , Saib and Qaáni from Iran and Amir Khusrow and Bedil from India. These poets have exercised profound influence on other lit of the world by the nobility of their thoughts and rhythmic rendition of their poetry.It has been futher explained that the chief merit of classical Persian Poetry lies in the fact tat it is full of love, deep feelings , highly didactic , profoundly spiritual which captivates the hearts of the people and inspires them even today to recite it with great relish.

In this book the author has given insight into the prominent features of Sikhism and glorious achievements of the Sikhs and how the teachings of the divine Gurus provide gems of wisdom, moral strength and profound spiritualism which brings peace and tranquillity upon mind and spirit.

This slander volume contains a lot of useful information for students of history interested to know how Iran influenced cultural activities of Indian subcontinent particularly from the medieval ages to the 19th century. The bok is written in a very captivating style.

Islamic mysticism , Or Tasawwuf , also known as Sufism , is a belief and practice in which Muslims seek to find the truth of divine love and knowledge through direct personal experience of God. It consists of various mystical paths that are designed to ascertain the nature of humanity and God and to facilitate the experience of divine love and wisdom in the world. Sufism grew out of the early Islamic asceticism , the scholastic and metaphysical researched of early thinkers , theorists and philosophers of Islam. It developed as a counterweight to the increasing worldliness of expanding Muslim community. Sufism emphasizes raising awareness of the REAL through genuine knowledge of the self and the VEILS which divide it from any experience of the Truth. It emphasizes compassion from one human being to another , regardless of all other distinctions and considerations. Like any movement of this kind , Sufism has had its origin , growth and development which resulted in the spread of this movement along with Islam far off lands and thereafter set in decay and eclipse. However , the most significant and remarkable part of this movement is its resurgence all over in the present global context. All these matters have been comprehensively discussed in this book.

In this book the phenomenon of affinity of spirit which exists between the people of the Punjab and Bengal has been recounted from historical, religious, national, social and commercial perspectives.

Mr. R. M. Chopra has given insight into the prominent features of the highly spiritual teachings and philosophy of MAULANA JALAUDDIN RUMI , a thirteenth century Sufi and the greatest mystical poet of Persian literature. Sufism of Rumi transcends much beyond man and his world and incorporates the elements of ecstasy and intoxication of the divine forces and mystical love, all woven in rich imagery and lyrical ecstasy; it assumes greater significance today when mankind is still striving to find common grounds of meeting.