By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net
New Delhi: Mir Laeq Ali Khan, Salar Jung II and Prime Minister of Nizam of Hyderabad, was among the very few Indians who traveled to Europe to observe the continent’s society, polity and economy and then wrote travelogue, said Dr Omar Khalidi of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, who co-edited the book “Vaqa-e-Musafirat-i-Imad al-Saltanah: The Travelogue of Salar Jung II”, launched by Hamid Ansari, Vice President of India in New Delhi on December 18.
(L-R) Mohammad Adeeb, Member of Rajya Sabha, Hamid Ansari, Vice President, Dr Omar Khalidi, Ataur Rahman Qasmi of Shah Waliullah Institute
The book in the Persian Language written by Mir Laeq Ali Khan was first published in 1889 in Bombay. The Salar Jung II who was the Diwan of Nizam from 1883-84 traveled to some European countries including Britain, France, Germany and Italy as well as Ottomon Empire in 1887.
Very few Indians have written about Europe. Mir Laeq Ali Khan closely observed the society, economy and politics of the continent, said Dr Khalidi, author of the famous book Khaki and Ethnic Violence, adding that the book is the last travelogue written in Persian Language in India. The new edited version has been published in Tehran. Besides Mir Laeq Ali Khan, it was Sir Syed Ahmed Khan who visited Europe and wrote Musafirat-e-London.
Dr Omar Khalidi addressing the book launch program
Talking to TwoCircles.net Dr Khalidi threw light on the content of the book. Mir Laeq Ali Khan, contrary to Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, is critical of what he saw in Europe. European civilization has both good and bad aspects, Salar Jung II was of the view. The important personalities he met during the travel and mentioned in the book included Queen Victoria and Sultan Abdul Hameed II of Ottomon Empire. “This book is a sort of counterpoint of European perspective of India,” said Dr Khalidi, staff member of The Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Coverpage of the book
The language of the book is flawless, clear and coherent, and written in rapid, narrative style. While the author successfully presents a word picture of the things Laeq Ali Khan saw, the book is illustrated with rare pictures that he himself shot during the travel.
The book is a major contribution to the Persian Language and literature in India and Iran, said Dr Khalidi adding that he is planning to translate important portion of the book for English-speaking people. He has co-edited the book with Sunil Sharma, professor of Persian Language at Boston University.