Tilism-e-Hoshruba: A Compilation of Enchanting Tales

Tilism-e-Hoshruba

About the Writer

The grand saga of Tilism-e-Hoshruba is credited to the masterful storytellers of the Dastan-e-Amir Hamza tradition, particularly the legendary Muhammad Husain Jah and Ahmed Husain Qamar. These literary giants, working under the patronage of Munshi Newal Kishore, meticulously compiled and expanded the oral traditions into a written masterpiece. Their efforts preserved one of the most elaborate and fantastical works of Urdu literature, blending elements of adventure, mysticism, and the eternal struggle between deception and sorcery. Their legacy continues to inspire scholars, storytellers, and lovers of literature, ensuring that the magical world of Tilism-e-Hoshruba remains an everlasting wonder for generations to come.

Newal Kishore Press: Guardians of Urdu’s Literary Heritage

One of the most significant publishers of Tilism-e-Hoshruba was Newal Kishore Press, established in Lucknow in 1858. Known as the cradle of Urdu and Persian publishing, the press played a vital role in preserving and popularizing classical dastans. Under the guidance of Munshi Newal Kishore, the press published not only Dastan-e-Amir Hamza but also numerous works of poetry, history, and philosophy, shaping South Asia’s literary landscape.

Through their meticulous efforts, the legacy of Tilism-e-Hoshruba has endured, enchanting generations with tales of valor, trickery, and magic. Today, their contribution remains a cornerstone in the world of Urdu storytelling, ensuring that these epic sagas continue to inspire readers and scholars alike. Without the efforts of Newal Kishore Press, the grand tradition of oral storytelling, with its intricate web of magic, heroism, and deception, might have been lost to time. Their legacy is woven into the very fabric of South Asian literary history, ensuring that the wonders of Hoshruba remain alive for future generations.

Some stories from Tilism-e-Hoshruba

1. The Enchantment of Princess Mahjabeen and the Cunning of Ayyar Amar Ayyar

In the enchanted land of Hoshruba, where magic reigned supreme and illusions shaped reality, the beautiful and intelligent Princess Mahjabeen possessed a charmed mirror, an artifact so powerful that it could unveil the truth hidden behind deception. The mirror was a gift from her father, the mighty sorcerer Afrasiyab, ruler of the tilism. The princess, skilled in mystical arts herself, was revered for her wisdom, but even she could not foresee the arrival of a trickster like Amar Ayyar.

The legendary trickster Amar Ayyar, ever the master of disguises, was assigned the perilous mission of infiltrating Afrasiyab’s palace to retrieve this magical mirror. Donning the guise of an aged astrologer, Amar presented himself at the court of Mahjabeen, claiming he could reveal one's fate through the reflection of her mirror. His words, laced with mystery, intrigued the princess, who had long sought to unlock the mirror’s true potential. Entranced by his eloquence, Mahjabeen allowed him to hold it. But the moment Amar touched the artifact, he swiftly swapped it with an identical mirror from his arsenal of deceptive tools, the sleight of hand so masterful that even the princess did not notice.

With the real mirror in his possession, Amar made his way to the sorcerer’s dungeons, where he uncovered and shattered the illusory chains binding a noble warrior captive. As alarm bells echoed through the fortress, Amar unleashed a potion of illusions, creating ten identical versions of himself. The guards, unable to distinguish the real Amar from the fakes, fell into chaos. Their swords clashed with empty air, their spells fizzled against shadows. With laughter echoing through the halls, Amar soared into the night sky on his enchanted flying saddle, disappearing before the sorcerers could comprehend their loss. The mirror, now in the hands of the Ayyars, would reveal hidden truths that would shake the very foundations of the tilism.

Excerpt from Tilism-e-Hoshruba: “Amar Ayyar, with a glint in his eyes, whispered a charm under his breath, and the mirror trembled in his grasp. He saw reflected in it the hidden vaults of Afrasiyab, the secrets locked away by the mighty sorcerer. With a deft flick of his wrist, he concealed the true mirror and vanished into the shadows, leaving behind only the sound of his mocking laughter.”

2. The Sorceress Bahar Jadu and the Disappearance of the Moonlight Palace

In the heart of Tilism-e-Hoshruba, on the shimmering waters of a hidden lake, stood the Moonlight Palace, an architectural marvel woven from beams of light. It floated like a mirage, its walls shifting between the realms of reality and illusion, appearing only under the full moon. Ruled by the enigmatic sorceress Bahar Jadu, the palace was a place of wonder and treachery. It was said that Bahar Jadu’s beauty was matched only by her cunning, and she had woven a thousand spells into her fortress to prevent any intruder from ever stepping foot inside.

When Prince Asad, the valiant heir of Amir Hamza, set out to breach this fortress, he found nothing but an empty wasteland where the palace should have been. Frustrated, he turned to his loyal companion, Amar Ayyar, who, ever the schemer, devised a plan. Disguising himself as a wandering fortune teller, Amar traveled through nearby villages, whispering of an ancient sage who could reveal unseen wonders. The rumor reached Bahar Jadu, whose insatiable curiosity lured her to seek the supposed sage’s wisdom.

Amar, playing his part perfectly, offered her cryptic riddles and whispered, “To reveal the unseen, one must first hide the seen.” Before Bahar Jadu could decipher his meaning, Amar flung a fistful of enchanted dust into the air, nullifying her spell. In an instant, the Moonlight Palace materialized, bathed in silver luminescence. The shimmering walls glowed under the light, revealing intricate patterns of runes and glyphs that had long been hidden. With the fortress now visible, Asad and his warriors launched a swift attack, overtaking the stronghold. But Bahar Jadu, furious and vengeful, vanished through a hidden tunnel, leaving behind a promise of retribution. The battle had been won, but the war of tilism was far from over.

Excerpt from Tilism-e-Hoshruba: “The Moonlight Palace shimmered into existence, its ethereal walls capturing the celestial glow. Bahar Jadu, her face a mask of fury, cursed the cunning of the Ayyar. ‘This war is not over!’ she hissed, vanishing into a swirling vortex of shadows.”