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Amir Khusrau: Life And Works

INTRODUCTION
Amir Khusrau was a Turk and a Soldier by birth. His title 'Turkullah' which means (The Turk or Soldier of God), which was bestowed upon him by his Pir Sheikh Nizamu-Din-Auliya, shows that he was of Turkish origin.1 His ancestors had migrated to India in the early 13th century on the eve of Changis Khan’s Onslaughts. His father Amir Saifu-Din-Mahmud Settled down at Patiyali (in District Etah in Uttar Pradesh, which was situated on the bank of the river Ganga and entered the service of Sultan Shamsu-Din-iltutmish (1211-36 A.D). During this period owing to the extremely turbulent condition of Central Asia and Persia as a result of mongol ravages, poets, Qadis, imams, muftis darweshes, doctors of religion sand law and other learned man were constantly migrating to India. They were given a welcome Shelter and patronage by the Sultan and Delhi was fast becoming the centre of a great civilization and culture.2
EARLY LIFE OF AMIR KHUSRAU
Amir Khusrau’s father Saifu-Din-Mahmud was an Amir (Noble) and held a respectable position in the army. He was married to the daughter of Imad-ul-Mulk, an important noble of Iltutmish and later on Balban. A child named 'Abul Hasan Khusrau' was born to them in 1253 A.D. at Patiyali, who later on was known as Amir Khusrau. He spent his early childhood, playing on the banks of the river Ganga along with the country folks. His father was very particular about his studies and Khusrau was sent to Maktab at an early age. Some scholars were also engaged to teach him at home. He was a genius and born a poet.3
Several incidents which show his natural talent and god gift to compose excellent verses even at such a tender age are generally recounted. For example once he was asked in a learned assembly by Khwajah 'Ijju-Din' to compose a verse with four discordant things, namely hare, egg, arrow and melon; he composed a quatrain which read “A thousand eggs of Amber are stuck to every hair in the tresses of that beauty, do not considered...