The Adventures of Amir Hamza

by Ghalib Lakhnavi

  Amir rode out with his commanders and warriors to call on them. He embraced Aasman Peri and kissed Quraisha’s forehead and seated her on his lap. The perizads marveled at the grandeur of Amir’s entourage and said among themselves, “It was on account of what he had left behind that Amir was so listless in Qaf and wished to return to his world.” They said to Amir, “We have now seen your friends and companions, but we are most desirous of seeing Princess Mehr-Nigar.” Amir replied, “Just as you wish to see Princess Mehr-Nigar, my friends are desirous of beholding you with their own eyes. Therefore I request that you either appear to them without your invisible guise, or else line their eyes with the collyrium of Suleiman.” The perizads replied, “O Amir! We fear that if we do this your companions may become bold and try to take liberties with us.” Amir answered, “Nobody would dare even think of it.”

  Thereupon the perizads lifted their veils of invisibility and presented their beauty to Amir’s companions. When the warriors and champions of Amir’s camp saw them, they were stunned and fell into a state of shock. When they regained their senses, they thanked Amir and said, “It is because of you that we who are made of clay were able to behold those made of fire.” Amir retired to Mehr-Nigar’s palace along with Aasman Peri, Quraisha, and the perizads, where they all derived joyous pleasure from one another’s company.

  Mehr-Nigar embraced Aasman Peri, kissed Quraisha’s forehead and lips, and then received all the peris, hosting them in the finest traditions. For three days and three nights Aasman Peri engaged in feasting with her companions. On the fourth day Aasman Peri gave Mehr-Nigar the gifts she had brought for her from Qaf and returned to her abode.

  After her departure, Amir asked his companions at court, “Do we know where the infidels have escaped to?” Amar Ayyar answered, “It is said that they have gone to Kashmir, where they have sought refuge with Jafar, the ruler of that land, who has pledged his support to them.” Amar Hamza took seven champion soldiers, including Aadi Madi-Karib, Farhad bin Landhoor, and Istaftanosh, along with their respective armies, and headed for Kashmir. When he entered the lands of Kashmir, the infidels hid themselves for fear in a fort. Amar Hamza surrounded the castle from all sides and laid siege to it.

  One day, an onager4 entered Amar Hamza’s camp from the forest and injured many men. Amar Hamza mounted his steed and gave chase to the animal in order to capture him alive. Upon reaching the side of a mountain, the onager quickly scampered up it. Amar Hamza followed but found no sign of the wild ass upon reaching the summit. Unable to find any trace of him, Amar Hamza sat down to rest under a tree. He hunted and killed an animal, and roasted and made a meal of it. Afterward he lay down under the same tree and slept. When it was time for fajar prayers5 the same onager again appeared and Amar Hamza again exerted himself in capturing him. When the sun rose and its rays fell on every inch of the mountain, the onager disappeared again. Amar Hamza searched for him again and was unable to find him as before. He was forced to depart empty-handed after failing in his search.

  Along the way back to camp he came across a most captivating city whose citizens were paragons of beauty. When he inquired the name of the city, he was told that it was called Farkhar, and that it was the residence of Zhopin’s sister Gul Chehra. It so happened that Gul Chehra caught sight of Amir’s son from her balcony. Instantly she fell madly in love and sent one of her eunuchs to bring him to her by any means possible. Amar Hamza declined the invitation. After a while the eunuch returned to him with the same message. Finally he convinced Amar Hamza and conducted him before Gul Chehra. She received him with great ceremony and fanfare and attended to him with great devotion.

  Then she said, “I have burned with love for you for a long time. Today God granted my desire and sent you to me when I least expected it.” Afterward, Gul Chehra ordered food to be laid out, and they shared a meal.

  Next, they had a round of drinks. Soon both she and Amar Hamza were intoxicated and Gul Chehra sought congress with him. Amar Hamza said to her, “I already have your sister in my harem. I will not couple with you and break God’s law.” She presented all manner of excuses to attain her goal. Finally, the prince was forced to reply. “I shall ask the opinion of my commanders in this matter. If they give their consent, I will take you to bed.” The shameless Gul Chehra immediately dispatched a messenger to send for Amar Hamza’s commanders.

  Now, an old man named Farkhar Sar-Shaban lived in that city and was held in reverence by all and sundry. When he heard that Hamza’s son had arrived there, he sent for his two sons, Mehrdar Sar-Shaban and Dinar Sar-Shaban, and said to them, “You will find Hamza’s son drinking wine with Zhopin’s sister. Go and bring him captive to me. And if you are unable to take him alive, bring me his head. I wish you to display your true mettle in this endeavor.” His sons headed for Gul Chehra’s house carrying staffs. They accosted Amar Hamza and said, “You despicable thief, how dare you trespass on our land to hunt here and display your valor?” Amar Hamza did not answer them and held his peace. One of them attacked Amar Hamza with his staff. Amar Hamza caught hold of it and pulled the staff toward him, which caused his adversary to fall flat on his face. He then dealt the intruder a blow with the same stick that flattened him to the ground and caused him to give up all thoughts of fighting. His brother charged him next, swinging his staff. He, too, met the same fate. When they returned to their senses they went back to their father and told him what had passed with them. Farkhar Sar-Shaban laughed at their story and said, “I have business with Hamza, not with his sons. But it seems unlikely now that I would be able to overpower him.”

  The next day Madi-Karib and the other commanders presented themselves before Amar Hamza in Farkhar. When Gul Chehra told them of her passion for Amar Hamza, Aadi said to him, “Why are you bent on killing this poor creature before her time? Who has ever heard of someone torturing a lover in this manner?” Amar Hamza laughed at this speech and said, “How do you suppose I can commit an act that is forbidden?” Madi-Karib replied, “You are the master of your actions. I only expressed my views after taking pity on this woman’s incessant crying and longing.”

  In short, when Amar Hamza fell unconscious after drinking, Gul Chehra became overwhelmed with desire and embraced him amorously. Amar Hamza knitted his brows and said, “O shameless wretch, what is this unseemly act? What disgraceful enterprise have you decided upon in your heart? I will never be able to reciprocate your desires in this vile act!” With these words, he slapped her in warning. Gul Chehra was frustrated in her desire and said to herself, He is in love with my sister, while I burn from the fire of his love and long to have congress with him. As the saying goes, what I cannot have another must not enjoy either! She drew her sword that same moment and beheaded Amar Hamza. Then realizing that Amar Hamza’s commanders would kill her in retribution, she began shouting and screaming and raising an alarm, “Ah! Ah! Who was the enemy who killed Amir Hamza’s son?”

  Amar Hamza’s companions came rushing inside, and upon seeing Amar Hamza lying dead, tore at their collars, threw dust on their heads, and gave themselves to ecstasies of sorrow. Aadi said, “It is neither a stranger nor an enemy who is responsible for killing Amar Hamza. It is all too likely that this shameless wretch was frustrated in her desire and killed him in her drunken rage.” Aadi’s companions agreed with his conclusion. They shackled that harradian and asked her, “Were you the one who killed him?” She answered, “I was overwhelmed by my passion. Now punish me as you wish and kill me to avenge his death!” They said to one another, “It is proscribed for a man to raise his hand against a woman. How could we kill her even if we wanted to?”

  Meanwhile, Amir Hamza had a dream that his son was flailing in a sea of blood. He started from his sleep in fear and explained the dream to Amar Ayyar who immediately departed for Kashmir. When Amar Ayyar reached Kashmir, he discovered that Amir’s son was in the city of Farkhar in the house of Zhopin’s sister. Amar hastened to that woman’s home, where Aadi and the others threw themselves at A
mar’s feet and told him everything. From there Amar Ayyar returned home beating his head and throwing dirt on it and said to Amir Hamza, “The prince lies injured in Farkhar at Zhopin’s house, and he has sent for you urgently.” Amir Hamza departed for Farkhar riding Ashqar Devzad. Amar thought it best to give Amir Hamza something to eat to fortify him against sudden shock. Amar Ayyar said to him, “Let us rest a while in a garden and revive our spirits before we arrive at Gul Chehra’s house.” Upon his persuasion, Amir Hamza stopped in a garden where a flock of goats were grazing. Amar Ayyar slaughtered a goat and began roasting her, and Amir Hamza’s mind was soon occupied fully in watching his proceedings.

  When the shepherd of that flock saw smoke rising from the garden, he went to investigate and beheld two men roasting his master’s goat. He rushed back to Farkhar Sar-Shaban, who was the owner of the garden and the herd that grazed there, and informed him that two men had entered the garden and were helping themselves to his property as if it were their own. Farkhar Sar-Shaban hastily entered the garden and confronted Amir Hamza who prevailed over him. When Farkhar Sak-Shaban learned that he had been defeated by Amir Hamza his grief at his humiliation was dispelled. Farkhar Sar-Shaban said, “Indeed none other than Hamza could have forced me down and pressed my back to the ground.”

  Amir Hamza converted him to the True Faith and won his heart with his generosity and munificence. Amar Ayyar signaled Farkhar Sar-Shaban to forbid him from speaking when he tried to bring up the subject of Amar Hamza’s death. Amir sallied forth with Farkhar Sar-Shaban and his sons riding by his side. When Amir Hamza’s companions caught sight of him, they broke into lamentations all over again. Amir asked, “What is the matter that the place is ringing with the cries of grief and lamentations?” Amar Ayyar answered, “Your son has died at the hands of Zhopin’s sister.” Amir said, “Take the deceased to his mother and bring that trollop there.” Amar took Gul Chehra and gave her into the custody of Naheed Maryam, who immediately surrendered her soul upon hearing of his death. Amir’s grief was thus doubled, and he went into forty days of mourning for his son and sent his corpse, along with the captive Gul Chehra, to Kaus Hisar to Amar Hamza’s wife, who avenged the death of her husband by killing her sister with her own hands. Amir Hamza returned to Kavs Hisar after destroying the city of Farkhar. Hurmuz escaped to Ctesiphon but many of his men died at Amir’s hand.

  OF HURMUZ’S ARRIVAL IN CTESIPHON AND LEARNING OF NAUSHERVAN’S CAPTIVITY, AND OF HIS DEPARTURE TO SECURE HIS RELEASE

  The narrator has said that when Hurmuz arrived in Ctesiphon after escaping from the fortress of Kashmir, he learned that Shaddad Abu-Amar Habashi had taken Naushervan prisoner. When Hurmuz asked Buzurjmehr’s advice, he said, “It would be impossible to secure the emperor’s release without Hamza agreeing to undertake the mission.” Hurmuz said, “Why would Hamza agree to it? He has no reason to undertake these hardships at our bidding.” Buzurjmehr replied, “If you were to ask your mother to write him a letter, Hamza would be forced to undertake the mission out of regard for her honor.”

  Hurmuz told his mother what Buzurjmehr had suggested and she wrote a letter to Hamza that read:

  To my son and a part of my heart! A long time ago Naushervan was taken captive by Shaddad Abu-Amar Habashi. It is truly deplorable that in your lifetime someone should harm Naushervan and disgrace a magnificent emperor like him.

  After reading her letter, Amir Hamza said, “Even though I have received nothing but harm from Naushervan’s hands, I will continue to return his deeds with kindness. I shall secure his release. If he cannot desist from his evil acts toward me, should I desist from doing good? Even if he follows the course of injustice, I shall not stray from the path of integrity.” Amir took Muqbil Vafadar with him and headed for Ethiopia, against Amar Ayyar’s advice.

  When they arrived in Ethiopia, they dismounted in a garden near the walls of the city and left their horses to graze there. Amir put on his night livery and, using a rope ladder, scaled the walls of the fort. When they entered, they saw Shaddad Abu-Amar asleep on a throne surrounded by flagons of wine and salvers of meat and dried fruit, while Naushervan was trapped in a cage hanging near the throne. Amir Hamza was challenged by the palace guards, whom he swiftly killed, and then he partook of the wine, meat, and fruit laid out there. Next he wrote a note addressed to Shaddad Abu-Amar Habashi and left it near him. It read: “I was here and have taken Naushervan, my mentor and my benevolent lord, from your prison after eating all the food lying here.”

  Then Amir took down Naushervan’s cage and said to Muqbil, “You must remain on the alert and look sharp while I go in search of a fleet horse for Naushervan.”

  While Amir was gone, Shaddad Abu-Amar Habashi woke up and saw that Naushervan had disappeared with his cage and his guards lay murdered. He wondered who might have been the culprit. Suddenly he caught sight of the note, and upon reading it, grew enraged.

  Shaddad mustered a four-thousand-strong force and set out in search of Amir Hamza. They soon came upon a garden where they saw Naushervan sitting in his cage. When Shaddad asked Naushervan for Hamza’s whereabouts, he replied, “I only know that he has gone in search of a horse.” Shaddad released Naushervan and went to look for Amir Hamza. On the way he saw Muqbil coming toward him. Taking Muqbil for Amir Hamza,6 he arrested him along with Ashqar Devzad. Muqbil said, “I am not Hamza but Muqbil.” Shaddad then said, “It seems that Hamza was lost in the desert and died from thirst.”

  In the meantime, Shaddad returned to his abode and drank himself to sleep. In the morning he set out for Kaus Hisar with Naushervan. Shaddad had decided that with Hamza dead he must kill Hamza’s sons, and then he could take Mehr-Nigar and ravish her as his reward. While Shaddad was indulging in these vile thoughts, Amir Hamza had indeed wandered into the desert and become lost. He suffered terribly from loneliness, thirst, and the effects of the piercing sun. Wherever he looked, he saw nothing but desolation. His eyes swept the horizon and met neither shade nor water.

  That night Amar Ayyar saw Amir Hamza in his dreams, wandering forlorn and distraught in a desert and looking bewildered and dizzy. The next morning he set out in search for him and after seven days of searching high and low Amar found Hamza, and saw that his eyes were bulging out from thirst and his tongue was a veritable bed of thorns. Amar shed many tears at the sight and revived him. After a while, Amir Hamza opened his eyes. After Amir had fully regained his faculties, he put on his accoutrements and returned to Ethiopia, where he found Muqbil and Ashqar tied up with ropes. At the sight of Amir Hamza, Ashqar broke his fetters.7 Amir Hamza mounted him and made preparations to head into the city in the company of Amar and Muqbil.

  The guards alerted Shaddad’s son, Amar Habashi, of Amir Hamza’s entry, and he intercepted Amir with a force of a thousand troops. Amir Hamza prevailed over him and instructed him in the Act of Faith and he sincerely converted to the True Faith. Shaddad’s son then conducted Amir into the fortress and held a feast for him there for three days. Amir left for Kaus Hisar on the fourth day.

  While Shaddad himself was on his way to Kaus Hisar with Naushervan, he sent a missive to Hurmuz that read: “I have killed Hamza and am bringing Naushervan to Kaus Hisar with me. You must arrive there with Zhopin and your army at the same time so that I can finish off the followers of the True Faith and lay claim to Mehr-Nigar and take her into my custody.” Upon receiving that note, Hurmuz took Zhopin and departed with his entire army. Arriving at Kaus Hisar within a few days, he presented himself in Naushervan’s service. Shaddad wasted no time in sounding the drums of war. He entered the arena astride his steed Shabrang, which was a matchless charger and a peerless mount whose horseshoes alone weighed one hundred and twenty maunds, and declared, “O Arabs! Hear that I am Shaddad Abu-Amar Habashi. I have killed Hamza and have Naushervan’s permission to take Mehr-Nigar as mine. It is at the orders of the emperor that this army has arrived at your gates. You would do well to leave this place without injury to yourselves.” Landhoor moved forward and spurred on
his horse to encounter Shaddad, who dealt him a blow of his mace. Landhoor parried this successfully and answered him with such a powerful blow of his mace that Shaddad’s horse sank deep into the ground, as if it had entered quicksand. But at the end of hostilities that day, Landhoor returned injured after a long battle. The next day, his son Farhad and several other champions were wounded by Shaddad. Finally, Farkhar Sar-Shaban confronted Shaddad and after fighting him for two days severed Shaddad’s arm. Afterward the hostilities were suspended.

  About this time, an ayyar named Galeem said to Naushervan, “If you were to order me, I would behead every Arab commander and dispatch them all to the Future State.” Naushervan answered, “I would like nothing better!” That same night Galeem wormed his way into the Arab camp and entered Qubad’s pavilion. Finding Qubad asleep, he cut off his head and left.

  But Amar’s ayyars who were on duty outside did not let him get away. They frustrated his escape and arrested Galeem. A great hue and cry arose when Qubad’s severed head was discovered in his possession.

  When Mehr-Nigar received the news, despair crushed her and raging grief burnt her heart to cinders. In the morning, Galeem was cut to pieces in retribution. When Naushervan received the news of his grandson’s murder, he went into mourning as well. For forty days both camps remained in the state of mourning and indulged in crying and lamentation. When the mourning period was over, both armies again stood facing each other and battled mightily. On that first day of renewed combat, Shaddad and Farkhar were locked in battle when a dust cloud rose from the direction of the forest and ayyars brought news that Amir Hamza and Amar had come at the head of a large army. Farkhar Sar-Shaban suspended fighting and went to receive Amir Hamza along with the other commanders of his camp. Shaddad used this opportunity to escape. Sighting a pagan temple nearby, he tried to enter its confines to save his life. But Amir Hamza pursued him and put a noose around Shaddad’s neck, gave the end of the rope to Landhoor, and said, “Pull it hard, O Khusrau!” Shaddad’s soul flew straight to Hell when Landhoor pulled the rope.