April 12, 2004
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Speak the truth, even if it were against yourselves. Qur'an (4:134) It was my master, Abu Sahl, who led me on to it. "Write what you know about the Hindus," he said, "There are people who want to converse with them, To understand their religion, science and literature. We only have hear-say, a farrago of materials never Sifted for accuracy. Give us facts with analysis." And so I put my heart to it, starting with Sanskrit. This wasn't an easy undertaking, without grammar And dictionaries. I traveled through their country Quite a bit, talking to learned Brahmans, and spared Neither trouble nor money collecting manuscripts. Often I invited their scholars from far-away places- Kashmir and Kashi-to come and work with me In Ghazni. I have endeavored in writing this book Not to be polemical. I intend this account of India To be nothing but a simple historic record of facts, At once comprehensive and objective. I present To you the theories of the Hindus, exactly as they See them, supporting my explanations of them With ample quotations. If any of this strikes you As heathenish, then try to understand that such Are the beliefs of the Hindus, and they themselves Are best able to defend it. This book should suffice Anyone who wants to understand the Hindus, And discuss with them their myths, metaphysics, And mathematics; their astronomy, arithmetic, And astrology; their codes, customs, and conceits On the very basis of their own civilization. * Note from the author: Alberuni was one of the greatest polymaths of the eleventh century, with contributions to many fields of knowledge including mathematics, physics, chemistry, astronomy, geography and history. George Sarton (1884-1956), author of the first comprehensive history of science, describes him as "one of the very greatest scientists of Islam, and, all considered, one of the greatest of all time." Today, Alberuni is best known for his History of India, an encyclopedic account of Indian civilization that treats its subject with an objectivity, first-hand scholarship and sympathy that stand in sharp contrast to the arrogance and bigotry that characterize James Mill's The History of British India written some eight hundred years later. (back) · · · · · ·
Poetry on Swans M. Shahid Alam is a professor of economics at Northeastern University, Boston, Mass. His powerful essays and political commentaries are widely distributed on the Web and in print publications (e.g., Counterpunch, Dissident Voice, Electronic Intifada, Outlook India, Asia Times). He is the author of Poverty from the Wealth of Nations: Integration and Polarization in the Global Economy Since 1760 (Palgrave Macmillan, 2000), and Governments and Markets in Economic Development Strategies: Lessons From Korea, Taiwan, and Japan (Praeger Publishers, 1989). To find out more about his work please visit his Web site. Prof. Alam has generously accepted to contribute his poetry to Swans, and to abide by our no multi-posting policy. Do you wish to share your opinion? We invite your comments. E-mail the Editor. Please include your full name, address and phone number. If we publish your opinion we will only include your name, city, state, and country. Please, feel free to insert a link to this poem on your Web site or to disseminate its URL on your favorite lists, quoting a few verses. However, please DO NOT steal, scavenge or repost this work on the Web. © M. Shahid Alam 2004. All rights reserved. |
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