A seven-day exhibition based on the rare manuscripts of the famous 20th-century Persian writer, poet and researcher Khawaja Muhammad Amin Darab and rare samples of Kashmiri culture concluded today at Amar Singh Club, Srinagar. The exhibition was organised jointly by Infotech Kashmir and the HELP Foundation.
About 73 rare manuscripts by Khawaja Muhammad Amin Darab were exhibited in the exhibition. They also include 11 books. The exhibit includes a chronogram of Neil Armstrong’s moon landing, a congratulatory message from Srinagar businessmen to Dogra Maharaja Hari Singh on his accession to the throne in 1923, and several beliefs of prominent scholars, including Muslim scholars and jurisprudents, on death. Maulana Anwar Shah Kashmiri was also involved. Salim Baig, convener of Intake Kashmir, said that this workshop is also important because the use of Persian, which was once the official language, is now decreasing. He said that it is a matter of surprise that Darab Sahib, the owner of an all-around personality, kept these manuscripts safe. He said that it is the need of the hour to bring these manuscripts to the public so that the new generation can get acquainted with this great capital and at the same time feel proud of their glorious past. It is noteworthy that in Kashmir from the 14th to the 19th century, Persian emerged as the language of administration.