Review – Humayun in Persia
Summary
The article reviews the monograph *Humayun in Persia* by Sukumar Ray, M.A., published by the Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal. The main argument of the work is that Humayun’s sojourn in Persia, though described by Prof. Jadunath Sarkar as an uninteresting corner of medieval Indian history, required critical investigation. The reviewer, P. K. Sinha, argues that the book successfully illuminates this obscure chapter through extensive unremunerative drudgery, providing a wealth of chronological and topographical details. The author demonstrates that the quality of the work lies in its critical examination of sources, contrasting it with the works of Beveridge and S. K. Banerji. The dissertation reconciles discrepancies in the evidence regarding Humayun’s route from Qandahar to Sistan, Herat, and the Safavid Court at Jam, Mashad, and Qila Dar. It also addresses the conflicting localities near Qazvin mentioned by different authorities as the meeting place of Humayun and Shah Tahmasp in 1546. The evidence discussed includes the ceremonies, festivities, and hunting parties that illustrate the grandeur of the Safavid court. The book details Shah Tahmasp’s treatment of Humayun, which was initially kind but turned hostile when the Shah attempted to convert Humayun and his followers to Shi'ism. After two months of hostility, Humayun yielded, and the Shah’s attitude completely changed. The source material includes full quotations of letters written by Humayun and the replies of Shah Tahmasp. The author also provides an appendix on the chronology of Humayun’s time at the Safavid court and his homeward journey, and a chapter on the two sieges of Qandahar in 1545. Furthermore, a footnote on page 9 fills a gap in the history of the Kohinoor diamond from 1526 to the time of Shah Jahan. The review concludes that the personality of Bairam Beg (Khan), Humayun’s faithful servant, stands out prominently in the narrative.
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Conclusion
Sukumar Ray’s monograph on Humayun’s sojourn in Persia offers a meticulously researched, critically examined account of a historically obscure topic, overcoming initial perceptions of it as an uninteresting corner of medieval Indian history. The study’s primary significance lies in its detailed reconciliation of conflicting geographical and chronological evidence regarding Humayun’s route and his interactions with Shah Tahmasp, thereby solving specific historical difficulties. The work provides invaluable topographical and chronological details, clarifying the exact nature of Safavid assistance and illuminating the grandeur of the Iranian court. Furthermore, the dissertation establishes Humayun’s Persian exile as the foundational basis for the subsequent political and cultural contacts between Iran and Hindusthan, significantly enhancing our understanding of the foreign relations of the great Mughals. By presenting primary sources in full, including personal letters, the book also offers a vivid glimpse into contemporary Persian social life, making it an indispensable and highly appreciated contribution to the field.