Stephan Popp | University of Vienna
Insha in the reign of Jahangir: the development of epistolary style under Jahangir
Summary Prose literature under Jahangir (1605–1627) mainly deals with the legacy of Abu l‑Fażl, but soon uses a new trend: poetic themes in prose writing. Abu l‑Fażl revolutionized prose in the late 16th century. Instead of the earlier systems of set phrases and rhyming parallelisms, he put his own subjective style, based on his learned experience. He also adapted the style of the letters to the situation and employed a vast vocabulary to show his erudition.
Four exemplary writers demonstrate prose under Jahangir. The most famous of them, Harkaran, is very doubtful. His book was the first Persian work to be translated into English, in 1776. He lived in the 1630s only if his employer Iʿtibār Khān is the one we know. But some of his letters are dated 1776. Much material reflects the society of the 1770s. Other letters refer to the 1650s. Some letters seem to paraphrase Abu l‑Fażl. If Harkaran is not Balfour’s invention, there must be one author from the 1650s using earlier material, and another from the 1770s.
The second author is Abu l‑Fażl’s nephew Nūr Muḥammad. His collection Ṭarab uṣ‑ṣibyān is not widespread but shows what became of Abul‑Fażl’s style 25 years later. Like his uncle, he can employ rhymed parallelisms and addresses, if necessary, but be very plain, too. Sometimes, he already arguments by poetic images.
Third, Bāqir Khān Najm‑i S̱ānī is a conservative author. His style lacks rhymes and parallelisms. But this is the opposite of going back to before Abu l‑Fażl. Bāqir Khān is conservative by refraining from poetic influence.
The fourth author, Amanullāh Ḥusainī Khānazād Khān, uses many poetic themes and makes the transition to prose under Shah Jahan.
To conclude, Abu l-Fażl has succeeded to oust the style written before him. Even conservative authors do not use it anymore. His style is getting simpler. Argumentation by imagery is establishing itself. This trend will form the basis of literary style from the mid-1630s onwards.