Classical music of the Indian subcontinent has a rich history of being one the most developed expressions of our cultural heritage. Its foundations pre-cede 5000 years, going back to the ancient Indus civilisation. Many instruments such as harps, flutes and percussion instruments were found during the excavations at Harappa and Mohenjo Daro, the centres of the Indus valley situated in present day Sindh, Pakistan.

The earliest form of Indian music was based on chants or recitation of hymns, found in scriptures or Vedas, the earliest of which were the Rig Veda and Sama Veda. The music of the Vedic era was of a simple nature, yet it retained a systematic order, the basis of which is still in existence today. The earliest musical treatise, the Natya Shastra was written 2000 years ago and gave details on dance, vocal and instrumental music. In this treatise differentiation between classical music and folk music was made using the terms Marga and Deshi. The next important treatises on music of the early period were the Brihaddeshi and Sangeet Ratnakar.

Sarangdev’s Sangeet Ratnakar was written at the end of the 12^th century and gave valuable information on the state of music before the coming of the Muslims. The text revealed the progression of Indian music since the Vedic era. Prabandhas had now replaced the Vedas, different scales (raags) were being used and the text also included a detailed description of musical instruments.  The music was still firmly rooted in religion and often performed in temples as part of worship rituals.

Priest head excavated at Mohenjo Daro, Sindh, Pakistan.

Dancing girl of Mohenjo Daro dated 2500BC.

Indian music underwent several innovative changes after the advent of Muslim rule beginning from the late 11^th century. Islamic influence brought in its wake a changed perspective in the style and structure of Indian music, which over the course of time evolved to become a unique blend of Hindu and Muslim traditions.

This unique synthesis resulted in the creation of new raags and musical genres such as qawwali, tarana, khayal and thumri. Instruments such as the rabab, sarod, sitar, tabla, santoor and naqqara were developed and introduced into the Indian fold.

Sarod. Developed from the Rabab.

 The first encounter of Indian music with Muslims was through Sufi saints who were attracted by traditional Hindu temple music.  Sensing that music was an essential feature of the daily lives of the local inhabitants, Sufis used music to spread the message of Islam across to the populace of India.

Sufi saints such as Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, Hazrat Bahauddin Zikriya Multani, Sheikh Allaudin Lajuri, and Shaikh Pir Bodhan held regular sessions of sama or qawwali at their khanqahs to propagate Islam to the masses.  

Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia (1235-1326) Renowned sufi of the Chishtiya sect.

The name of Hazrat Amir Khusrau stands at the forefront of Muslim contribution towards the culture of the subcontinent. He was a strong patriot, and highly praised Indian culture, customs and its people.  Apart from being a great poet, he was also a musical genius who contributed greatly to the evolution of Indian Music. He invented new raags by combining Persian modes with Indian raags, saazgiri, sarparda, and zeelaf being some of his creations. He popularised the sufi devotional music qawwali, said to have created new genres like the tarana, khayal, naqsh and qalbana and is also credited for creating rhythmic cycles such as asool-e-fakhta and farodast. It is also claimed that the Persian maqam system of classifying modes was adopted to classify raags during the time of Hazrat Amir Khusrau.

Hazrat Amir Khusrau (1253- 1326)

One cannot forget the practitioners who practiced the art with arduous devotion and achieved fame in their respective fields. Mian Tansen, Niyamat Khan “Sadarang”, Ustad Sadiq Ali Khan, Mian Shori, and Siddhar Khan Dhadhi are some of the legendary names whose creative minds have had a major impact on the musical heritage of the Indian sub-continent. 

Probably the biggest change brought forward by Muslim musicians has been to shift the devotional aspect of Indian music with the element of entertainment and artistic value. 

Mian Tansen- 1535- 1592

One of jewels in Emperor Akbar's court. Creator of raag Mian ki Malhar.

The Muslim sultans, emperors and nawabs have also played an important role in developing Indian music. Many were great musicians in their own right but were more renowned for their patronage of the musical arts. Important musical treatises were authored by Muslims under the auspices of the rulers. Many revolutionary changes occurred to music during the reign of Allaudin Khilji, Sultan Hussain Sharqi, Emperor Akbar, Mohammad Shah Rangeelay, Nawab Wajid Ali Shah and Nawab Hamid Ali Khan.  

The varied styles of  artistes and patronage of the arts by the rulers safeguarded musical traditions and led to the formation of gharanas.  

Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Lucknow. (1790- 1859)

Great patron of the arts, exponent of Kathak and composed under the pseudonym of Akhtarpiya.

Following the creation of Pakistan, the nation inherited a culture rich in art, literature, and musical achievement. Many outstanding musicians opted to settle in Pakistan in the aspiration that greater projection would be given to the melodic arts. However, classical music has not been given the opportunity to prosper in Pakistan due to the lack of patronage and promotion for the musical arts and its practitioners. 

Heritage plays a great role in defining the existence and identity of a nation. The musical heritage of the sub-continent is unique in the sense that it highlights how different cultures can assimilate to create a secular art form irrespective of religion, caste or creed. The importance of retaining and safeguarding the musical heritage should be realized in Pakistan and it would be tragic if it is lost to the realms of antiquity.  

Malika-e-Mausiqui Roshan Ara Begum (1920- 1982) of the Kirana gharana opted to move to Pakistan after partition.

 Sources consulted

1. Goswami, G. Story of Indian Music.

2. Imam, M.K. Maadan-ul-Mausiqui.

3. Malik, Saeed. Musical Heritage of Pakistan.

4. Prajanandha, Swami. Historical Development of Indian Music.

5. Qureshi, R. Sufi Music of India and Pakistan.

6. Saeed, M.M. The Sharqi Dynasty of Jaunpur.

7. Sarmadee,S. & Singh, Thakur Jaidev. Amir Khusrau Commerative Volume.

8. Singh, Thakur Jaidev. Indian Music.

9. Discussion with M.A. Sheikh advisor to Classical Music Research Cell of Pakistan.