Adam Khan and Durkhanai

Introduction

This classic romance has been called the Pashto Romeo and Juliet (Darrnesteter 1888-1890:17); it has both a written and an oral tradition. A seventeenth-century composition in couplets has survived in nineteenth-century manuscripts and was published in 1960 by the Pashto Academy with extensive annotation; other nineteenth-century compositions exist in both prose and verse (Blumhardt and MacKenzie 1965: 100, 126-7). Ghazanvi (1978: 51) has suggested that the events of the story took place during the reign of the Moghul emperor, Akbar (1556-1605 C.E.).

The recording for this translation is based on verses by a late nineteenth-century poet, Sayyid Abu Ali Shah; the preface in a bazaar chapbook puts its composition at the time of Umra Khan, whose story is also included in this volume. The poet has several subplots in his narrative, which differ from those of some other versions. The singer, whose usual audiences could be assumed to have the underlying plot in mind, has included many verses from the subplots. It may therefore be helpful for readers unfamiliar with the story and its social context to glance briefly at the Endnotes first.

The Story

I've seen this related in a book,

And thus it is described beneath my pen.

In the country of Swat, there were several villages, which were more beautiful than any others. One was known as Upper Bazdara and the other was called Lower Bazdara. To be brief, they were like gardens of paradise in which every flower was a beauty mark on a sweetheart's brow.

In Lower Bazdara there was a Pashtun whose blood coursed constantly with manly valor always active day and night. The name by which he was renowned was Hasan Khan and he was glorious with his head crowned by honor. God gave him the kind of son who was outstanding among the world's beloveds. His parents named him Adam Khan and the light from his face was like stars in the sky. He had a friend, a comrade whose name was Miru, and the name of another friend, Balu, was known everywhere. They walked all over arm in arm and he was a pearl in its shell with them around him. Their houses were all in Lower Bazdara and the hearts of suitors looking at them would be shattered.

The house of Bibi Durkhanai was in Upper Bazdara and it was famed in all directions for its elegance. It belonged to the fine gentleman in Upper Bazdara who was known by the name, Ta'us Khan. He had no boys, not a son in his house, and he was in sorrow's fetters, suffering for a son. He did have this perfectly beautiful daughter who was the image of a nymph in Paradise. Her parents had named her Durkhanai and she was much esteemed in that land.

Her father said, "My daughter, that's very nice, and what you say all seems admirable to me. But it wouldn't be a proper situation for you, sitting for the Mullah with a burqa on your head. Lesson time for you is over, so sit inside in veil and don't go wandering around!"

To be brief, friend, every day Durkhanai expressed this longing to her father in the same way. The result was that she made her father agree by that means and he said, "All right, fine girl, take your lessons!" So the Mullah came to her every day and Durkhanai said her lessons to him. She was always accompanied by her good-natured old maidservant whose name was Gulunai. Durkhanai was always saying her lessons and God imparted every kind of knowledge to her.

[In those days] there was a man named Payu Khan who was known to everyone by that very name. "Son, my cherished child," said his honored father, "tell me a little of your heart's secret." [He replied,] "My heart longs to be betrothed to Durkhanai, so do that to make my heart a flourishing flower garden."

The narrative came thus from the narrator, and I saw this romance in a book. Durkhanai had an aunt in Upper Bazdara who lived there in her own house. She had a daughter [ready to be married] whose name was Baskai and every one knew songs of her beauty. [The aunt decided,] "Durkhanai should come to Baskai's wedding, for some girls will be coming from the groom's side and some from Baskai's." Baskai's mother set off by herself like a nightingale going on its way to Paradise. She made this speech before Durkhanai's father, explaining politely and respectfully, "Baskai's wedding is arranged for today or tomorrow, and since Durkhanai would enjoy being there, may I take her?"

Durkhanai's father turned his face from Baskai's mother and he politely put the matter this way. "Since we've become responsible to other people for Durkhanai, we are not now free in regard to her. She's been betrothed to Payu and if she leaves the house now, it would be very bad." [But] in short, Durkhanai and also her nurse, Gulunai, both went off in burqas with the aunt. When they all entered Bazdara, [after greeting] Baskai, they all embraced each other. [There at the wedding] every man was gripped by love for Durkhanai and truly, they'd have given up life and wealth for her.

It is said that at that time there was a saint [named Pir Salih ] who'd be counted as among the best of saints. When that sage learned of his situation, he got extremely sad and depressed. [His nephew] Ikram Khan said, "Uncle dear, why do you grieve and what makes you sit heartsick, lost in thought?"

When the nephew learned the reason, he made this speech to Pir Salih. Now listen so you'll understand it, a for it's a pearl in the hands of meaning. "I'll have a splendid young man come to the wedding. He is known by the name Adam Khan and people say his father's name is Hasan Khan."

Ikram Khan set off from home with his uncle's permission and when he arrived at the house of Adam Khan, Adam Khan gave him a saint's welcome and said, "May God bless this meeting with a saint. I'm standing here eager to serve you and may the Lord grant all that you ask." Ikram Khan said, "In fact, I'm just sent by my dear uncle who's sitting back there secluded on a bed of sorrows."

Adam Khan together with friends of his own age set off to visit the faqir. Pir Salih raised his hands in prayer and he offered a prayer for Adam, "May courage from prayers accompany him!" and he said,"Go, may God anoint you with a dream fulfilled!"

Sayyid Abu Ali Shah, may the Lord be his companion!

May every difficulty ahead of Adam be solved!

[Adam Khan sings at the wedding.] "Show me the white cheeks of the new moon's face and we'll be happy for years like two titmice." Thus Adam sang fine ballads and Durkhanai was listening inside in a corner. [She said,] "A sweet voice comes to my ear in such a way that my soul goes in the air with excitement. The rebec's gentle voice joins with it too and my grief- stricken heart is happy. He plays each string of the rebec in such a way that the living would die entombed by his song."

The nurse said, "0 my darling, I've raised you like my heart's daughter. That [singer] is a Pashtun named Adam Khan and the crowds are in an uproar over him everywhere. If you want to see him, get up quickly, and put ointment on your heart yourself!"

At the nurse's speech, Durkhanai went quickly and at the wall she revealed her slender neck. She revealed for a moment her brow's beauty spot and she slew the whole gathering without a sword. Durkhanai's gaze fell on Adam Khan and sense and reason left her body. Instantly she fell face down on a bed like a date palm falls down in a typhoon. She said, "Mother nurse, I was unprepared today, my mouth was open today to breathe my last breath too early."

When Durkhanai's aunt heard her words, she sat by her, devastated. She said, "My niece, what's come over you that you're burning from head to toe, suffering over someone? Which country's prince has ravaged your house and who's consigned your sweet body to sorrow?" [She replied,] "My soul is leaving, aunt, for God's sake, silence! Don't give advice to me twice. Adam Khan's taken my heart from me, I've lost my heart to Adam Khan!"

So Baskai was married, people dispersed from there, and a commotion arose over the love of Adam Khan and Durkhanai. One man went in a hurry to Hasan Khan and he said, "Khan, come, hear this tale! Adam Khan is madly in love with Durkhanai and, as you may realize, this will cause great mischief. If Payu learns about this matter, your life will be in danger, believe me!"

When Hasan Khan learned that news, all sense and reason instantly left his heart. He quickly sent a messenger to Adam Khan, "Come, and sit quietly at home!" Adam Khan sped off with no delay and with him were Miru, Balu, Shamshad, and his father. Durkhanai had gone off like a fairy, and she was filled with a beauty like Joseph's.

When day passed, then night's turn came, and night's darkness spread far and wide. Adam Khan said to Miru, "My friend, I can't rest after seeing my beloved. I'm breathing my last breath, I'm in agony, for the beautiful vision of my sweetheart is in my heart." They both discussed strategies together and their hearts were desolate with sorrow.

Leaving Balu in that place, they set off as they went in search of Durkhanai, his shining moon. Miru said to Adam Khan, "My noble sir, sit here, don't leave this place. I'll go first and find out the situation for you and then I'll give your name there on this matter. Though I would die, I'm your devoted friend to the death and I should be counted in the circle of your servants."

To be brief, Miru set off in the direction [of Durkhanai's house] and he entered her house politely. [With the way cleared,] Adam Khan set off toward his beloved and the stars in the sky were watchmen for his good luck.

0 Sayyid Abu Ali Shah, when lovers meet

The sorrows of separation all vanish from them.

When daylight made the sky's edge red, Miru called out to Adam Khan. Miru cried, "Adam Khan, the time is short! Be alert, I'm telling you! Come on, leave this meeting! That's enough now, or the watchman will tell folks about you."

Adam Khan left Durkhanai and he was filled with trembling like an autumn leaf. The three, Balu and Miru together with Adam, all departed, weeping in sorrow as they took leave.

When Durkhanai's eyes saw the ring, her body was instantly a burning brand. Poor Durkhanai came to life at that sign and she began to sparkle, freed of her agony.

0 Sayyid Abu Ali Shah, if someone tells the truth,

He is doubtless the best of poets.

The mosque's priest calls for prayers for gain and Durkhanai quickly raised her head to gain. On some pretext, she left her home and she went to her nurse's dwelling, my fine friend! She said, "Oh mother, I'm sad and depressed, and some time has passed since you've come to ask about this poor girl. You raised me like a pet mynah and you've rid me of grief in days past. I'd sacrifice life and wealth for my beloved if it were possible but the way I'm being cheated of him, it seems pointless. Something has happened to me, mother nurse, and I have no one but you to sympathize! [Go!] Tell him, 'She's mad with grief over you and she's forever fleeing from the house, just going wild.' Have him ask about my situation some time, for my last breath is going from my throat!"

When the nurse heard Durkhanai's condition, she too was turned inside out with grief. She quickly sent a man to Adam Khan, telling him, "Go again to that beautiful house! Give Durkhanai's greetings respectfully to Adam Khan and after the greetings, give him her statement, and say to him, 'Leader of all the Pashtuns, may God keep you constantly from sorrow's burden.'"

Seeing the light, that man set off and in Bazdara he went bustling up to Adam Khan. "It's my duty to tell you about all the sorrows visiting that miserable girl. If you don't ask about that poor girl, you'll soon hear that she's been buried."

He said, "Messenger, get up, go back, and may the sweepers use my eyelashes at my beloved's door! [Take her this necklace and say] 'Here is a sign sent by that wretch burdened down with grief in his love for you.' "

The messenger relayed all those words of her beloved.

0 Abu Ali Shah, he put more grief upon her.

One day it happened that Payu got ready and he set out with friends, intending to hunt. He said, "Come on, friends, let's go hunting and then on the tenth day, we'll return to our town."

When Durkhanai learned that Payu had left, her heart went again toward her beloved. She said to Gulunai, "Be quick, go to my lover and say, 'Come quickly to the fine bazaar of beauty! The gardener's left the garden, the garden is empty and the black crow stands back in grief for it.' "

Gulunai goes off by way of the garden and her pace is very stately, lest anyone be looking. [She says to Adam Khan,] "Bibi Durkhanai invite's you to come quickly, so get up, Durkhanai's expecting you. Payu's gone hunting, get there quickly, reunion's cup awaits your hands." When Adam Khan learned that news, he gave many pearls to Gulunai. Miru was one, Balu was the second, and Adam Khan was the third who hurried off to Durkhanai.

[Learning of the marriage, Adam Khan runs off to the wilderness and then returns to his father's house.] Putting both hands on his forehead respectfully, he gave a deep bow to his father, the Khan. He said, "Father, kind sir, hear my humble words, hear how today's tidings have put great sorrow on me! Durkhanai holds my heart in her hand, and so I sat disheartened in the forest."

There was a man known as Mirma'i and he was like a beautiful moon in wealth and holiness. Hasan Khan went to his house for aid, going personally to great lengths against Payu. [Abasing himself] Hasan Khan said to him, "Great friend, I regard even the maidservants at your door as fine ladies! When Payu took Durkhanai to his house, he put a fire of sorrow on Adam Khan. Give me help for God's sake, I've come for help, heal my heart! Get up and tie honor's sword at your waist. Don't drive me away in anger, speak to me nicely!" Mirma'i said, "Everyone should take care of whatever friends he has in such a situation."

Adam Khan and Hasan Khan, Miru and Balu too, and all the relatives and elders gathered together. Mirma'i also had all his relatives along and his son, Gujar Khan, was in it with them. When all those people were assembled at [Payu's house in] Bazdara, people were amazed at the rows of riders. Adam Khan had sent a man earlier to tell his beloved that he was on his way. Adam Khan mounted Durkhanai behind himself and he quickly took her clear away. Adam Khan took Durkhanai away rapidly and then they went for shelter to the house of Mirma'i. Durkhanai stayed in Mirma'i's house while Payu's house turned ashen without the light of her beauty.

The words written in the book [that I read] are quite correct regarding Durkhanai's stay at the house of Mirma'i. After some lime, Payu spoke in this way with Mirma'i, talking of an agreement with him, "I will give you great wealth beyond counting, for my heart's breath is staying in your house. Durkhanai has been the apple of my eye since long ago and I'll die from the taunts about this affair. I'll give you uncountable wealth and money if you'll give me back Durkhanai, for God's sake!" [Betraying his trust, Mirma'i accepts the bribe and gives Durkhanai back to Payu.]

Durkhanai's heart had by then become one with Adam Khan's and the villain, Mirma'i, acted wrongly toward them. Adam Khan and Durkhanai kept beating their foreheads with sorrow and both of them had eyes constantly brimming with tears. Adam Khan said to Gujar Khan, "Friend, your father acted quite despicably toward me. I had brought my beloved to his house and he behaved without any sense of shame at all."

When Gujar Khan heard that kind of statement, he turned pale and held back his fears. Gujar Khan instantly gathered together each one of his relatives and he stated his contempt [for his father] to them all, "Since my father has acted extremely dishonorably, there's a stain on us until the Resurrection." Gujar's supporters came with weapons slung over their shoulders as side by side, they went after Payu, "Since we are acting for honor against Payu's relatives, we'll fight on a clean field with Gujar Khan!"

[After an unsuccessful fight to retrieve Durkhanai] the wounded all lay everywhere, Payu had won victory, and Gujar Khan was defeated. Balu was also wounded in this, he finally died, and Adam Khan was tarnished with grief over him. [Roaming about deranged by Balu's death and the loss of Durkhanai] Adam Khan wandered on the plains of separation and like the legendary Farhad; he was out of his mind.

The words from the mouth of Sayyid Abu Ali Shah, Are pearls coming to the gathering's ears.

Now they say that there was then a group of ascetics whose proper country, it seems, was in India. They had come here for their own amusement and they wandered around to guesthouses quite secretly. Those hermits saw Adam Khan when worries were raining on him day and night. The ascetics inquired of someone, "Why is that man shouting and making such a noise?"

Miru said to them, "He had a friend whom he needed constantly at his side. His friend whose courage was admired by everyone gave his life bravely in service to him. And in Bazdara there was a fairy-faced girl who was like the sun among all beloveds. The poor man is so deeply in love with her that he got down from his throne to become a beggar. That fairy was named Durkhanai and she's made his throat choke up with grief. His name's well known, it's Adam Khan, and in truth he is a lion of Pashtuns."

When the hermits learned these matters, they immediately started talking to Miru this way. "We'll have him meet with Durkhanai and we'll make the rest of this business our responsibility." They quickly threw ochre robes on Adam Khan and they made him a hermit like themselves. They did that to both Adam Khan and Miru and then they took the two of them along.

When the group entered Bazdara, they sat in the guesthouse of Payu Khan. They put on such a show for him that men and women too stood all around them. Payu said to the ascetics, "This house is yours and a feast has been fixed for you here." [Durkhanai comes to watch and] when Adam Khan's eyes looked around, he raised them to that sun of beauty. Durkhanai was standing there for him as before, with her black eyes, slender lips, and long neck. The hermits went out of there to a garden and they were seeking some signals from the lady.

Now when Payu Khan would go somewhere out of ' the house, my brother, the house would be empty for Durkhanai. Durkhanai would rush out to the garden and she'd sit in the shade beside the wall. One day Durkhanai had been waiting for Adam Khan and suddenly Payu came peering down on her. Payu had been suspicious of the hermits and he instantly took precautions of his own. Payu drove away the hermits, the maidan was emptied, and Durkhanai's sorrow returned to what it was before.

The hermits set off, going toward their homeland, and Adam Khan and Miru then went to their own homes. Durkhanai went crazy from her great grief, and her hair was tangled, her clothing in tatters, and her eyes full of tears. To be brief, being separated was like being put in an oven, and Adam Khan and Durkhanai were in great agony.

Adam Khan's father, Hasan Khan, was in mourning because his son was set on fire by love. One day Hasan Khan called Miru to him and he said, "Listen to what I say! Adam Khan ought to have a wife somewhere and thus he may kill the fire of grief with the water of patience. They say that in one village there's a certain girl who's as slender as an Iranian sword. This flower bud is named Gulnaz and she'd suit this nightingale of ours. You should show her to him however you can, and you might look at her with your own eyes too."

When Miru was told those matters, he went and stood before Adam Khan, "0 prince, let's go somewhere and travel from village to village for otherwise we'll just sit here grief-stricken." When they entered the village of Bibi Gulnaz, they wandered in the lanes all through the village. Miru said, "There is a house here with a girl in her fine youth who's like a fairy of Paradise. She's known by the name Gulnaz and she's admired among all beauties. It would be good now for us both to see her and maybe you'll like that girl with the elegant neck." Adam Khan said, "Good, let's go, friend, we'll walk as far as her street."

When their call for alms came to Gulnaz's ears, she immediately rushed toward the street. She herself filled their skirts with alms and she said, "Take this, hermits, and go in some other direction." [Miru said,] "I am Miru, this other one is Adam Khan, and this poor man's come here himself to see you. For God's sake, give him orders from your lips and refresh his eyes dried up by separation. Being denied his lover's curls consumes him and so he has come to you weeping."

When Bibi Gulnaz learned of this situation, she was overjoyed in 'her heart, "Durkhanai's lover needs me! I'll be the fashion among lovers in this world!" Then Gulnaz said to him, "Leave this place and don't sit alone any more. There's an old woman in a certain house and she's become an expert in the book of love." [And Gulnaz says she will meet him there.]

When Adam Khan learned these things, he set off with Miru right away. They both stayed in the old woman's house and thanks to her, his anguish went away and he was happy. [Gulnaz arrives at the door.] A lovely fragrance wafted from her clothes and her beauty was of the highest order. The old woman took the beautiful Gulnaz inside [to Adam Khan] and it was like nightingales coming to the same place in a meadow.

Now when Bibi Gulnaz went inside, she became at once the confidante of Adam Khan. They laughed and joked all night long and it would make any listener's mouth water. [But her spell wears off and Adam Khan thinks of Durkhanai] Then Gulnaz got up and went home, for she couldn't cope with the cries of the grieving man.

Adam Khan started on the road for home and his eyes overflowed with cascades of blood tears. He took to his bed, ill with fever, and his tongue called for his darling constantly, "Tell her how ill I am, wake her, get her up from the sleep of ignorance! If only she'd come, I'm about to breathe my last! My soul's just is waiting for the sight of her." Still pleading, he gave up his soul for his beloved and Azrael took him to the sky.

0 Sayyid Abu Ali Shah, the world is transitory. In a short time, this dwelling place is desolate.

Freed of grief, he fell peacefully into death's embrace and all the world learned of his death. One woman sped to Durkhanai's side and she said, "Durkhanai, see Adam's honor! That famous man perished for love of you and he'll be renowned for his faithfulness until the Resurrection." People were saying, "Adam Khan has died today and he crumbled away with grief over Durkhanai."

When Durkhanai learned of this rumor, she instantly fell face down on her bed. [To the maid who told her] Durkhanai said, "May you be childless, for you've made me drunk with this grief." Putting a hand on her breast, she breathed her last. Lifeless at that moment, she gave up her soul.

A hue and cry arose immediately at Durkhanai's death and Payu too learned the news from those cries and shouts. Some people say that when Durkhanai learned of Adam's death, she fell on the bed and started to scream. [She cried,] "Lord, make me Adam Khan's companion, don't burn me alive in red fire any more!"

Listen to this! Adam Khan was buried there and this is how they found solace together in one place. Durkhanai was buried near the same place as Adam Khan and behold how she was loved by her lord! People had made the grave and when opening up the niche, they saw Adam Khan was in it, soiled with earth. Durkhanai was lying there with him in an embrace and all the people were completely amazed at this. [The two were reburied separately.] To test this, they again tore open the graves and Adam Khan's arms again held Durkhanai. This time they both were left in the earth of the grave and they'll be lying in each other's arms until the Day of Resurrection.

0 Sayyid Abu Ali Shah, come then, stop it! Humble yourself ten times over at the door of God.

References

• Dr Wilma Heston & Mumtaz Nasir from 'The Bazar of the Storytellers'"