But this is not all. Ali Ahmad Sahib has hinted at this and his surmise seems to be correct. I can prove this from personal knowledge. While a primary school-student (in the second decade of the present century) I came across a voluminous punthi entitled Kholasatul Ambia in possession of my agnotic grandfather late Md Asgar Kari Sahib at Madhyaparha P.S. Ramganj, Noakhali. It was a virtual Kasasul Ambia dealing with all principal prophets from Hazrat Adam to Hazrat Muhammad (Sm). An officer of the cultural department of BangIa Academy has told me that both the books are the same differing only in name. Unfortunately I do not remember the name of its author or publisher or the time of publication. It is still more regrettable that the book disappeared from his almirah shortly after he closed his eyes for good. I am lucky enouth to have discovered another book bearing the name of “Tarjama Kasasul Ambia” at the house of late Muhammad Reza Patwary of Dhanyapur P. S. Ramganj. The Patwaris were aristocratic and solvent people having slaves whose decendants still live in a separate part of their homestead. At that time it was customary for the educated Muslims of well-to-do families to keep at least a small library of punthis and read them aloud at night in musical tone listened to by other members of the house who gathered around the reader. This book was a ramnant of their stock owned by Habibullah Munshi. It is torn off. First ten pages and last portion from page 419 are missing.
It seems to be the contribution of a single man. The gifted poet Abdul Wahab alias Abdullah was a resident of Sibadaha in Calcutta. My enquiry from Dr. Md. Shahidullah who was a resident of 24 Parganas reveals that modern Sialdaha was formerly called Sibadaha, Siba being a synonym for shial or jacket. First portion being torn off, the name of the publisher or his library and the time of publication could not be ascertained. But as unto the other two books ‘a’ has been used here all along instead of ‘ya’, it is certainly older may be even older than Azizur Rahman’s.
There are frequent references to the poet.
1. Mr. Abdul Wahab kohe bhebe Joljalal
Suno sobe Adamer paidaesher hal,
2. Behest nosib Allah korila jahar
Abdul Wahab kohe bhabia Gaffar
3. Abdul Wahab kohe bhebe Pakjat
Yusuf Nobir shuno ofater bat
The poet introduces himself in this way
“Abdul Wahab roche orafe Abdullah,
To hiner guna khata mor koro alia,
Kalikato Sibadaha adhiner mokam
Hazi Baser mera keblagar nam.
I read a poet boasting of his Pathan origin. But all are Muslims, only difference being in earlier or later convertion and in piety. There are no family titles outside this country people, making themselves known by place of their birth as Tuki Siraji, Suhrawardy etc. The titles here owe their origin to government service. It is ludicrous to call oneself Kaji or Hazeri who is not himself so. As a devout Muslim our poet did not claim any such title or probably because his predecessor possesses none. The word Torjoma means translation and the name of the book suggests that unlike others it was translated from some Arabic or Urdu original. Here is the verse in support of this contention:
“Abdul Wahab kohe Elahi bhabia
Kasasul Ambia ketab dekhiya.
Another special feature of the book is that in support of the description the relevant verse from the Quran is cited in the margin or rather the translation of the verse quoted is given in the text.
It is, therefore, not only a mere punthi but partially a Tafsir as well and so very nice attractive and easily understandable is the interpretation that it appeals to the heart direct. No translation in chaste Bengali can be so charming, graceful and appealing. Unlike many other poets he does not refer to his pir. Many so-called pirs have reduced their profession to regular business and some have degenerated Islam to worse than idolatry. All Musalmans were formerly heathens and superiority lies only in piety.
It is strange that such a brilliant production should have escaped the notice of all collectors and catalogue preparers of punthis including Dr. Abdul Gafur Siddiqui except the poor self and Maulana Adamuddin though he has given a wrong name. This raises the number of Kasasul Ambia to five. Their subject-matter and the source are practically the same, though attempt has been made to show some difference by adding some new features or omission of some stories. The story of the jins and that of Harut-Marut for example has been dropped in the Siddiquia library publication wherein the story of Alexander under the of style of Sekandar Julkarnain has been annexed along with that of Yajoj-Majoj (Gog and Magog). The story of Amol Maktul is another novelty.
All are composed in payer (metrical line) with occasional introduction of tripadi to remove the monotony. The style, mode of expression, selection of words etc. are practically the same. Spelling mistakes abound in all and this constitutes the main defect of the books. None of our intelligentia has seen the book by Azizur Rahman. Nobody knows how much of our literary treasure has vanished in this way. There may be a copy in the Imperial Library, Calcutta like the complete copy of Abdul Wahab’s book. Could the librarian kindly help me with the information? As the books were printed some old fashioned gentlemen interested in punthi literature may also possess a copy of either or both. The entire country will remain indebted to them if they kindly inform me about their precious store so that arrangement may be made for reprinting and saving them from extinction. n
