SUFISM, IMPERIALISM AND TRIBALISM AMONG THE PAKHTUNS

Description

This book provides not only a detailed account of the mysterious personality of Bayazid Ansari, the Roshniya Movement but also explores the sixteenth century political, religious and cultural landscapes of the Pakhtuns’ borderland. It paints a picture mostly based on primary and authentic secondary sources and its scientific analysis of the tribal and spiritual resistance offered by the tribes to Mughal imperialism. It tries to present the contextual situation of the age obtaining around the event that has been buried in the sands of history. This work challenges the established concepts with regard to Bayazid and his movement terming it as incidental collaborators of the Mughals. Given its non-conformist approach the book will generate a debate among scholars on this very important episode of the Pakhtuns’ history. The present work, I am sure, will generate a debate amongst scholars because Dr. Himayatullah has challenged some of the prevailing views about the Roushniya Movement. But like a professional historian, he is confident that he can provide evidence for assertion. This work unravels the conundrum of the Pakhtuns’ history and investigates the truth about the movement, still hidden in dark. The book has meticulously analysed the religio-politial aspects of the movement, focusing on its encounter with the Mughals and their allies. It is a must read book on this very important period of Pakhtuns’ history. Prof. Dr. Sayed Wiqar Ali Shah Historian, former Dean FSS, QAU, Islamabad. The book under review paints a beautiful picture of the tribal and spiritual resistance offered by Pakhtun society against the tyranny of Mughal imperialism. It not only covers the mysterious aspects of Bayazid Ansari’s maverick personality, but also seeks to explain and interpret the intellectual basis of the Roshniya movement. Dr. Himayatullah certainly deserves appreciation, as he has successfully attempted to present the contextual situation of the age obtaining around events, the details of which still remain buried in the sands of history. He has also explored the roles of famous characters, with their thoughts and actions and has explained their strengths and weaknesses. His effort seems to be in accord with the requirements and standards of scientific inquiry. His scholarly effort also seems to be in line with the new parlance of modern historiography. Prof. Dr. Ghulam Qasim Marwat Qurtuba University of Science and Information Technology, Peshawar. This is an incredibly valuable work of history and scholarship. Dr. Yaqubi’s work is thoroughly rooted in a deep consideration of the sources. Unlike other approaches that may interpret Bayazid through present day political aspirations, this work finds a way to interpret the context of Bayazid’s moment through a careful analysis of the Roshani and other contemporary works. That’s fantastic. Dr. William Sherman University of North Carolina, USA.

The Author:

Critical of the traditional Pakhtuns’ historiography, Dr. Himayatullah Yaqubi extensively writes on the history, politics, culture, religion and society of Pakistan and Afghanistan. His publications include Mughal-Afghan Relations in South Asia: History and Development (2015) and National Awami Party: Nature and Direction of Politics (2022, Vanguard Books). He is a non-conformist historian and tries to rediscover the past with a scientific and multidisciplinary approach. Dr. Yaqubi is currently working as Assistant Professor in the Department of History, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad.