My travels is all about... My views, thoughts and experiences on/about/at/with random places of interest, persons, things, events, issues etc,. I am an eternal student with a restless mind and a tumultuous heart!

Sunday, October 20, 2019

An old man's cry in the wilderness

(c.1748 CE - On his death bed, Asaf Jah 1, founder of the Hyderabad state warned his sons and grandsons not to fight among themselves, to be pious and vigilant, to take good care of the people and be wary of the machinations of the European companies. However, his successors precisely did everything against his advice - they were always engaged in bitter succession disputes, took help of French and British companies in battles & family feuds, led extravagant lives in sharp contrast to the vast majority of people.

His sagacious advice was only an old man's cry in the wilderness.

In the words of Asaf Jah 1.....) 




Tomb of Nizam ul Mulk I/Asafal Jah I at a Dargah in Khuldabad. 

"
My dear sons! My mundane time is up and the other world calls me,
my power and pride have evaporated, and I'm a dying tree.
Pardon this foolish old man, but pay attention to my words,
For these words would guard you better than the Persian swords.

Let there be no quarrel amongst you, be a band of brothers,
have faith in unity; patience and piety would do you wonders.
Never indulge in bloodshed merely for the lust of conquest,
reign with a gentle heart and vigilant mind, as if on a spiritual quest.

Beware of the merchant companies from the sea,
be wary of their profits and their plans; far from us let them be.
Reject the sweet words of the sycophants,
seek truth and reward it, and be prepared for history's taunts.

To the people - be an indulgent father; not a punishing despot.
for all their troubles - be a genuine source of respite.
Victory and defeat greeted me equally in my life, for I was rigorous.
Do not ignore my words; lest they become an old man's cry in the wilderness.
"



Mir Khamruddin Khan Siddiqui Bayafindi (c.1671-1748 CE), more popularly known by his titles -Asaf Jah I /Nizam Ul Mulk I/Chin Qilich Khan was a famous Mughal nobleman. He went on to establish the modern state of Hyderabad in 1720 CE. His life is like a roller coaster of victories and defeats.

2 comments:

  1. Only my little nephew can write like this ...An old man's cry in his last minutes . Proud of you Sonu nanna

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