The Adventures of Amir Hamza

by Ghalib Lakhnavi

  As Amar entered that place, his senses took flight when he regarded the beauty and splendor of that unique and exquisite royal pavilion. But when Amar looked around, he saw no one but Hamza, and said, “Where is the queen of the heavens whose praises you used to sing? I would like to see the face of that beauty who kept your heart occupied in Qaf for a full eighteen years and snared you in her love.” Amir answered, “Queen Aasman Peri is giving audience on the throne, O Amar. It is a thing to marvel at that you have not offered her your salutations!” Amar said, “I cannot see anyone to whom I may offer my greetings. My salutations are not so worthless as to be given freely to an empty throne and chairs.” Aasman Peri ordered her attendants to put the collyrium of Suleiman into Amar’s right eye and let him see the wonders that it would reveal. Be it known that when this collyrium is put in one’s right eye devs become visible, and when it is applied to one’s left eye one can see peris and perizads. When the collyrium was put into Amar’s right eye, he instantly could see the faces of the devs who thronged about him. Amar was seized by terror at seeing them, and said to Amir, “Which one of them is the queen and your dear wife?” Amir Hamza laughed at Amar’s words and Aasman Peri also shook with laughter. Then she ordered that Amar’s left eye should also be lined with collyrium so that he could at last see her.

  When his left eye was lined, Amar saw the peris and the perizads assembled there, and he also saw a woman whose beauty was as luminescent as the sun seated with great majesty and glory on the throne. Beside her was a girl whose face bore a striking resemblance to Amir and whose beauty struck its beholders with wonderment. Amar said to himself that the girl must be Amir’s daughter. He approached the throne, made a salutation to Aasman Peri, and said to the Sahibqiran, “Is this the Queen Aasman Peri for whom you wasted eighteen years in Qaf? May God protect us from the devil, I myself would not have spent even a single day there for someone so plain looking and put up with all those hardships. In fact I would not even let her carry the water bowl to my toilet chamber.”

  These words mortified Aasman Peri with shame, and tears welled up in her eyes. Amir said to her in the Jinni language, “Do not become sad at his words. He is a clown, and everything he said was in jest. Make him an offering of something, and then you will see how he undergoes a complete change.” Aasman Peri did as Amir had told her and offered Amar a decorated robe of honor along with some jewels and gold pieces. Amar put the robe of honor on and made a bow and then said, “O Sahibqiran, I suspected from the start that you had found a moonfaced beauty in Qaf and that was why you were unwilling to return to the world of humans. Before I beheld this woman, I thought that Mehr-Nigar was the only paragon of beauty in the world and the very soul of charm. But after regarding this luminous sun of beauty, I realize that our princess cannot rightfully be judged even a ray of light compared to this one’s resplendence. Before such a comely and charming face—whose luster and delicacy would shame the sun and would embarrass the glowing moon to show its face—Mehr-Nigar’s charm cannot at all compete.”

  Aasman Peri was charmed and delighted by Amar’s words. She laughed and said, “What a turncoat!” Then she showered Amar with jewels and gifts from Qaf that satisfied even Amar’s insatiable greed. Thereafter, Aasman Peri sent for the commanders and chiefs of Amir’s camp and offered each one a robe of honor commensurate with his rank, and lavished gifts and gold pieces on each of them. She said to Amir, “Order your attendants to make preparations for your wedding to Mehr-Nigar and to arrange all the necessities for the ceremonies. Although I have brought the wedding paraphernalia from Qaf I am not familiar with the rituals and ceremonies of your land. I will be on hand to facilitate and enliven the ceremonies.” Amir Hamza spent three days with Aasman Peri and returned to his camp on the fourth day, unable to tear himself away from her sooner.

  Then Amir went before Mehr-Nigar and broke his pleasant news to her, addressing her sweetly, “Aasman Peri has brought you all the accoutrements of marriage from Qaf, among which are many rare and delicate gifts, and she exhorts me to make no further delay in getting married but to do it as soon as possible.” Mehr-Nigar lowered her head from modesty and did not answer. Amir Hamza then went before Prince Hurmuz and gave the same account to him with all necessary details. Next, he ordered the gongs to be struck to announce the impending ceremony. Amir then wrote a missive to Naushervan that read:

  In effect, you already gave me the hand of Mehr-Nigar, but due to the vagaries of time and the tide of events, I was kept from solemnizing the marriage. I am writing to let you know that yours truly is solemnizing his marriage with Mehr-Nigar and is hopeful that you will give your permission for it to proceed. It would be unimaginable for us not to receive the gift of your presence in this heavenly assembly and joyous gathering. It would not be too much to expect of your munificence that you would consent to attend this ceremony and thus honor your humble servant.

  Amar Ayyar took Hamza’s note to Naushervan, who read it and asked Amar, “I have heard that Aasman Peri has arrived there with much fanfare bearing wedding articles and mementoes from Qaf for Mehr-Nigar. Is the news true or false?” Amar answered, “The news is absolutely true.” In the meanwhile a note also arrived for Naushervan from Hurmuz and Bakhtak that read: “Your Honor should not hold back permission to Hamza so that you are not accused of going back on your word. Even without your permission he will marry Mehr-Nigar and that would show Your Honor a dishonor.” Naushervan gave his consent for the marriage to proceed, but declined the invitation to attend himself. Later, however, he changed his mind at the persuasion of his nobles and told Amar Ayyar that he would attend the ceremony disguised as a begger.

  The narrator of the dastan tells that Amir Hamza was delighted to receive a positive answer to his missive and showed it to everyone present. He embraced Buzurjmehr, and then with his own hands he squeezed the juice of the leaves that the holy Khizr had given him. When he applied this to Buzurjmehr’s eyes, they instantly regained their sight. Buzurjmehr congratulated Amir on the auspicious occasion of his wedding and the musicians struck up playing nuptial tunes. On the day of his wedding procession, Amir dressed in a royal robe and mounted Ashqar Devzad. Kings and princes from all over the world formed a procession with Amir Hamza’s steed in the middle, and they went forth scattering gold and jewels over his head as the sacrifice of his life.

  Amir’s procession arrived with great fanfare at the Pavilion of Suleiman, where he alighted. The peris danced as Amir Hamza ascended the throne and sat beside Prince Hurmuz. Aasman Peri went with Quraisha and her attendants and adorned Mehr-Nigar with inestimable and precious jewels the likes of which none but the wives of the emperors of Qaf had ever seen, and beautified her with the seven adornments. Mehr-Nigar’s beauty robbed Aasman Peri of her senses and faculties; she fell in love with her charm instantly. Before long Aasman Peri had thrown herself completely into the wedding ceremonies.

  Now hear of Naushervan. He disguised himself like a mendicant, and carrying a stick in his hand, he headed to see the marriage ceremonies in the company of his seven nobles. Amar recognized Naushervan and offered to conduct him into the assembly so he could participate in all of the events, but the emperor would not accept. Then Amar offered to take him to a place where he could observe everything. Naushervan liked that proposition better and gladly agreed.

  With a few hours left to the night, Khvaja Buzurjmehr read out the wedding sermon following holy tradition. As it was getting close to dawn, the female quarters buzzed with word of the arrival of the bridegroom. At the first of the seven doors to the women’s quarters Amir was accosted by Aasman Peri who closed the door on him and told him that it would only be opened once he had paid the marriage money promised to Mehr-Nigar. Amir settled his pledge by offering Muqbil Vafadar along with forty thousand slaves in golden livery to Mehr-Nigar. At this, Aasman Peri opened the door. Then she closed the second door and asked him for another offering for Mehr-Nigar in return for the privilege to behold her. Amir did as Aasman Per
i asked him and offered his sword, the Aqrab-e Suleimani, and his steed Siyah Qitas. In this manner Aasman Peri exacted a toll for Mehr-Nigar at all seven doors of the women’s quarters and Amir paid without argument before he was allowed to set foot in Mehr-Nigar’s private chamber.

  Amir Hamza blossomed forth in smiles upon seeing Mehr-Nigar dressed in wedding costume, sitting among a cluster of moonfaced damsels who were lovely as peris. After the rituals were completed, Amir carried Mehr-Nigar to the bedstead. Like the frenzied Majnun he pledged his soul to his Laila and embraced her and sucked the jujube fruit of her lips. After some time had passed, a physical struggle broke out between the bride and the bridegroom, but Amir retrieved the desired pearl from love’s sea after offering his bride many words of comfort and consolation, and then he fulfilled his desire with great facility and leisure. By the Grace of God a precious pearl3 was conceived within the oyster of the sea of love.

  In the morning, Amir took a bath and dressed and, smiling and joyous, arrived at the Pavilion of Suleiman. All his courtiers presented themselves to him and received great bliss from his audience. Festivities were held for the rest of the day. In the evening Amir shared his bed with Aasman Peri, and the next day it was Rehan Peri’s turn to spend the night with Amir and for him to take his pleasure of her. The next night he slept with Saman Seema Peri and ravished her as well. In this way, Amir took his pleasure of a different woman each night for forty nights and tasted the finest pleasure that life can offer. And during each of those forty days, the kings of Qaf and the princes of the world engaged in festivities with Amir. Aside from pleasure seeking and reveling, all other matters were postponed.

  One day, after the conclusion of the festivities, Amir mounted his steed to go to visit the Char-Bazar of Bilqis preceded by heralds and mace bearers. The moment he set foot outside, a dev who was the brother of Ra’ad Shatir whom Amir had slain in Qaf descended before him. Finding Amir by himself for a moment, he aimed a blow of his mace at Amir’s head. Amir jumped from his saddle and foiled the blow and then, catching the dev by his waist, whirled him overhead three times and slammed him to the ground so hard that the dev recalled the days of his infancy and all his senses and faculties were dislodged from their stations. He tried to get up and escape, but Amir pressed his one leg underfoot and, holding the other leg in his hands, ripped the dev’s body in two with utmost ease like a piece of old cloth, and tore him up in two as if he were made of paper. The onlookers were shocked to immobility by this sight and marveled greatly. All the brave and valiant lords hung their heads in embarrassment at this unsurpassable feat, and Naushervan fainted at this display of Amir’s might.

  Later, having finished his romp, Amir Hamza returned to his court, where everyone expressed delight at his victory over the dev. Amar Ayyar restored Naushervan to his senses by sprinkling rose water and the perfume of orange blossoms over him, and brought him back to his senses. Amar then conducted him before Amir for his leave-taking, and the emperor announced his departure in terms suited to the purpose. Seeing Naushervan clad in the garb of beggars, Amir Hamza gently demanded, “O Emperor of the Princes of Seven Climes, renounce your idol worship and proclaim that there is only one True God. Then I will give myself in service to your most humble servants and will always remain faithful to you.” Naushervan did not consent but forthrightly answered, “A change of religion is unacceptable to me! Moreover, it would be unbecoming to the traditions of my dynasty!” In the end, Amir was obliged to present Naushervan with gold and jewels and gifts from Qaf as offerings, and he bestowed Suleiman’s robes of honor on the emperor’s companions. Naushervan returned to his camp and ordered everyone to assemble and prepare to return to Ctesiphon the next day.

  Aasman Peri, meanwhile, made Amir an offering of the gifts she had brought for him especially and then took her leave of him. Amir embraced her and said to her, “I am as happy and grateful to see you as I was once unhappy and discontented with you. You have put me into your debt. Whenever you send for me I will immediately prepare to come to you, provided I am not entangled in some battle here, and will make no delay.” Then Amir embraced Quraisha and kissed her forehead and sent them both off with many gifts. Rehan Peri and Saman Seema Peri also took their leave of Amir and departed. The Sahibqiran bestowed all the lands of Maghreb on the King of Tanj-e Maghreb and made him the sovereign of those lands, but the new king appointed a deputy to rule in his stead and joined Amir as his riding companion.

  The next day Hamza ordered his advance camp to move toward Mecca and designated Amar Hamza, his son by Naheed Maryam, the daughter of the king of Greece, as the commander of his camp in his stead. Amir then closeted himself with Mehr-Nigar to enjoy the sensual pleasures of life. Amir Hamza surrendered all offices of command and put his son Amar Hamza in charge of them completely.

  One day, Amir’s son Amar Hamza was busy drinking in the assembly with others when suddenly Aadi knitted his brow and said to Landhoor, “You giant, how did you find the courage to occupy my chair?” Landhoor answered, “You are already out of your depth after guzzling just a few cups, O monster-bellied one! If I sit in this chair it is with permission from the commander!” Aadi called out loudly, “I am sure that the commander has not asked you to warm my seat for me.” Landhoor said, “O Aadi, it is not you talking but the wine.” Aadi then rose from his place and punched Landhoor. The Khusrau laughed and said, “O Aadi, you should not let this incident drive you mad. Take stock of your senses and control yourself.”

  When Amar Hamza noticed the situation, he confronted Aadi and said, “Stop this drunken madness and wake up from your egotistical reveries!” Aadi answered him, “This is between Landhoor and me: You have no right to speak in an issue that concerns only the two of us.” Amar Hamza rose from his station and punched Aadi so hard that he fell to the ground. Then Aadi started complaining loudly, saying, “If Amir’s son feels he has license to humiliate us in this manner, we will not remain long in this court.” All the commanders and champion warriors had taken exception to Amar Hamza’s actions, and a great din arose from the assembly that brought Amir Hamza out of his bedchamber. When he was informed of the situation he admonished his son and said, “I am warning you never again to act in this manner against anyone here. Landhoor and Aadi would have sorted out the matter between themselves. You had no business interfering in their personal feud.” His son flew into a rage and said, “If Aadi ever speaks to me with such impertinence again, I will cut off his ears and drive him away from the camp.” Now Amir Hamza became angry and replied, “Hold your tongue! If you use such language again, I will pick you up and smash you on the ground and make your brains flow out of your ears. That will make you forget all your arrogance.”

  Amar Hamza was in the prime of his youth and his father’s words rankled his heart. He shouted, “Who dares to touch me? There is no one who has the guts or the courage!” Furious, Amir Hamza led him by his hand into the arena. Father and son mounted their steeds and prepared for combat. Those present gathered around to see the fight between them. Amir asked his son to begin the combat, and Amar Hamza lashed his horse, but the animal refused to charge. Then Amir Hamza said, “O unwise man, learn comportment from this dumb animal.” Amar Hamza left his saddle and Amir also dismounted and prepared for hand-to-hand combat. His son caught hold of Amir Hamza’s cummerbund and exerted all his might trying to dislodge him, but was unable to do so. Then he let go his hold in frustration and stepped away, but now Amir caught him in a hold and lifted him over his head. Then he gently put his son down and kissed his forehead. Amir’s son prostrated himself at his feet and sought forgiveness for his arrogance. Amir embraced him and said, “O light of my life, one rules with the support of one’s champions. Regardless of circumstances, one must show them the utmost respect, and take every care that they feel gratified and honored.” His son felt shame from his deed and mortification for his actions and returned to the assembly, where singing and dancing soon resumed.

  The news gatherers report th
at after nine months a son was born to Amir by Mehr-Nigar, and his son Amar Hamza also became the father of a son. Amir Hamza named his grandson Sa’ad, but did not name his own son. He said to Amar Ayyar, “Take this news to Naushervan and request him to give a name to the child.” Within a few days Amar reached Ctesiphon.” Naushervan was greatly pleased by this auspicious news and named his grandson Qubad.

  When both Qubad and Sa’ad reached the age of four, Amir Hamza gave them to the tutelage of Amar Ayyar. By the time the boys had turned five years old, all who beheld them prayed that the evil eye be warded off them and said, “We have never seen or heard of such comely and well-mannered boys. The signs of valor are already evident in their aspects and courage speaks in their faces and features.”

  The narrator tells that when Zhopin Kaus of Zabul heard the news of Qubad’s birth, he wrote a note to Naushervan that read:

  If Hamza has allowed you to keep your throne until now it was because he had no son from Mehr-Nigar. Now a son has been born to him by your daughter. It is certain that he will overthrow and kill you and seat his son on the throne. In my opinion it would be most wise for you to seek Bahman Jasap’s assistance immediately. It was my duty to alert you to the situation and now I have performed it.

  After reading Zhopin’s note, Naushervan said, “I have complete confidence that Hamza would never do me any wrong, as I have often been in his debt.” Buzurjmehr answered, “Verily said and most just!” However, Bakhtak and other Sassanid nobles prevailed on the emperor to set out from Ctesiphon to meet Bahman Jasap, and thus planted the seed of fear and misgiving in his heart. Afterward Naushervan set out for Bahman Jasap’s land. After listening to Naushervan’s account, Bahman sent a letter to Hamza that read: