A REGIONAL SAGA

By Sajid Abbas July 12, 2004

Sages, practically all of them, assert and advise people to venture forth and seek knowledge, for, Allah and Almighty and the All knowing has ordained Man to seek knowledge.  Knowledge illuminates the inner self and wipes out all darkness.  Perhaps, it is in this spirit that Muhammad Daud Tahir has brought out his interesting and absorbing work ‘Manzil na kar qabool’, which, although styled as ‘safar nama-e-Punjab’ or an account of travels in the Punjab, is much more than that.  The work seeks, in a way, to motivate people to apply their minds to understand human values, values that are good for the refinement of their mind and character, and what is beneficial for them and their society.

‘Manzil na kar qabool’ is a collection of one hundred and one pieces describing in a frank and forthright manner the little known facts of history and consequently the piquant and enticing aspects of life of this part of the world.  The work represents a study of urban and rural faoric of the country in a very different prespective.  It is an historical account yet it is not history as it is usually known and understood.

The author talks about early settlements, monumental gateways, havelies etc., and though, it outlines cultural colours and describes changing patterns, it is not an ordinary or stereotyped travelogue.  The work is recounted in plain and simple language, to make under-standing easy for the reader, besides, keeping him or her absorbed in the narrative.  In addition it is something which adds to the information at hand with any reader.

The work is a comprehensive exposition of the great panorama of life of a part of this wonderful country along a strip beginning from Attock and ending in Shahdara near Lahore following the current and ancient tracks of travel and is a literary painting of its interesting facts.  The information provided by the author is first hand, collected by him personally visiting the various places and spots which appear in the narrative.  It should be remembered that works on subjects, such as, history and architecture can be, relatively dry if accounts and descriptions are not relieved by human interest and to do so the author has burnt sufficient midnight oil in order to enliven the account.  The work is worth having in one’s collection.

The author, Muhammad Daud Tahir, was born in Gurdaspur in 1944.  He won his Master’s Degree in Political Science of the University of the Punjab and joined the Central Superior Services in 1969.  At the moment he is the Regional Commissioner of Income Tax.

PAKISTAN HEADING TOWARDS BETTER DEMOCRACY: KHALID

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER May 28, 2004

LAHORE- “We do not have good democracy but we are heading towards betterment.  We are not good society but we are heading towards betterment”  Governor Punjab Lt. Gen. (Retd) Khalid Maqbool stated this at the launching ceremony of the book Manzil Na Kar Qabool by Daud Tahir.  Daud Tahir who is Regional Income Tax Commissioner, already has three travelogues to his credit.

Hassan Nisar, Amjad Islam Amjad, Mustansir Hussain Tarrar, Dr. Arifa Syeda Zahara, Munu Bhai, Abdul Qadir Hassan, Hassan Nisar were also present on the occasion.

While appreciating the keen observation of the writer the governor said, “Daud brought out those location and historic places on GT road which had sunk into oblivion.  He said adding that nothing could escape the eye of the writer.

He said that we have rich heritage but we have to promote our heritage so as to attract foreigners to the country.  “Our heritage is our oil well and we can attract tourism and bring foreign exchange through this,” he added.

“Daud had encircled the history and heritage of Pakistan very well.  From Attock to the river Ravi nothing could escape his eye.”

He appreciated Daud who took out time from his hectic routine and wrote such a nice travelogue,” he added.

He also quoted some of the paragraphs of the book to the delight of the audience.

Munu Bhai while commenting on the book, appreciated the efforts of Daud and said that more books to promote the heritage of the country should be written.

While regretting he said that our history starts from Muhammad Bin Qasim and our Islam starts from Zia-ul-Haq.

Mustansir Hussain Tarrar said that to convery reporting into creative writing is a tedious task which depends on the attitude of the writer.

He said that Daud’s priority is human beings and he analysis human beings with regard to their surroundings and the country they live in.

He appreciated that Daud has never mentioned his official capacity in his writing and he has complete confidence in his writing and creative faculties.

Other speakers also expressed their opinions and appreciated the written expression of the writer.

WRITERS ‘MUST BUILD CHARACTER’

By Our Reporter May 28, 2004

LAHORE, May 27: Governor Khalid Maqbool has urged writers to use their pen for character building and development of intellect of the people

The governor was speaking at a meeting held at Alhamra on Thursday at the launch of book Manzil na kar qabool, a travelogue on the Punjab authored by Income Tax Commissioner Daud Tahir.

The governor said literature should not be written for the sake of literature but it should have a purpose.  Writers could play an important role in character building, he said……

Referring to the book, he said it had interesting details of various historical events attached to the ruins and historical buildings in an area of the Punjab from Attock to Lahore.  He took his readers to both known and unknown historical sites like a cameraman giving vivid pictures of the places and people of the area between Indus and Ravi rivers.

He said the writer should continue his travel towards south of the Punjab which has very interesting historical places.  Pakistan has a rich historical background, which should be explored by the writers irrespective of their religious character………

Amjad Islam Amjad, Mustansar Husain Tarar, Prof. Arifa Syed, Munnoo Bhai, Abdul Qadir Hasan and Hasan Nisar commended the book while Senator S.M. Zafar sent his message as he could not attend the function due to preoccupation.

A DIFFERENT TRAVELOGUE

June 19, 2004

I have a book before me Manzil Na Kar Qabool, by Income Tax Commissioner Muhammad Daud Tahir, which the author claims to be a travelogue of the Punjab while I refuse to accept it as such.  It does not qualify to be called a travelogue.  Even a casual look at some of its pages tells the reader that it is a piece of research, a dig into the past and a history-cum-geography of the region extending from the Attock Fort up to the banks of the Ravi at Shahdara.

All that I can say about this book is that it happens to be the result of the findings of an explorer rather than the reflections of a mere tourist.  The way the author has gone out of his way to find out the deepest detail of all that he saw while passing through northern Punjab is something a routine tourist never bothers about.

The very first chapter of the book has flabbergasted me.  I have been time and again inside the Attock Fort and spent many happy hours in its officers mess but never did I try to probe the history of that huge edifice nor did I go looking for the hot baths and tunnels maintained by royalty.  In fact, I was never even told of their existence.  I have repeatedly motored, and even scootered, down GT Road from Peshawar to Lahore but not once did I care to register the impact of all that crossed my vision enroute.  It is only the desire to know what one should know about his own country that has prompted Muhammad Daud Tahir to write his book.

The author can well be regarded a veteran writer as the book happens to be his fourth.  His first, a travelogue of the United States and some other countries, appeared in 1995.  It was followed by two more about trips to Iran, Turkey and Kuwait.  However, the present book has been written in a totally different vein.  Its launching was held some time back in the Alhamra Hall with the governor of the Punjab in the chair, but I was not satisfied with what the different speakers had to say on the occasion.  It is only now that I have had access to the book that I can say something about it. 

Speaking at the launching of the book, Dr Arifa Syeda, the earudite scholar, had rightly struck a note of warning by saying that those who forgot their past were neglected by the future.  She was obviously referring to the effort made by the author to dig out our past.  Hasan Nisar, however, was not happy because of the mention of the graves of martyrs and religious stalwarts on the same pages as also the equal importance given to Gen Ziaul Haq and the great Shahabuddin Ghauri.

Speaking next, Amjad Islam Amjad had a special word of praise for the author mainly because he did not involve his person in the narrative and allowed the scenario to speak for itself.  In his written message sent for the occasion, S M Zafar said that the book was like an encyclopaedia as it provided some rare information about the country.  He also appreciated the way the author had written about some so-called ordinary locations but which had a rich history.  He also lauded the way the author managed to convert ordinary incidents into creative writing.  Abdul Qadir Hasan also spoke on the occasion but Munnoo Bhai sounded rather sore.  He just could not understand why people forget that our cultural age happens to be about five thousand years but we remain content with confining it to the arrival of Muhammad Bin Qasim in Sindh.

In his presidential remarks, the governor started lightheartedly.  Looking at the jampacked hall he said:  ‘It seems all the taxpayers have gathered here in the hope of squeezing some concession from the commissioner of income tax’.  Proceeding further, he did say that our literature should be purposeful but never laid stress on character building as one newspaper report about the function would make people believe. 

The most important part of the governor’s speech was his advice to Muhammad Daud Tahir to travel to the south of the Punjab which had numerous historical places.  I would particularly request the author to make an equally painstaking journey to the areas around Multan and Bahawalpur and write in detail about the saints lying buried there and the monuments of exquisite design found in Ucch Sharif.

 TRAVELOGUES & FREE VERSE

Ashfaque Naqvi April 29, 2006

Books received during my recent illness have collected on my writing table and I’ll try to deal, at least with some of them, in the course of this column.  That is despite the fact that I shudder at the sight of the pile lying in front of me.

Muhammad Daud Tahir is now a well-recognised writer of travelogues.  He established himself with his very first book, Shauq Hamsafar Mera.  After that he came up with travelogues of Iran, Turkey and Kuwait, throwing light on these countries from a totally different angle.

Whereas the other known travel writer, Mustanisir Husain Tarar, has specialized in writing about the unhabitated northern areas of the country, Daud Tahir is content with writing about the lands dwelled in.  He first wrote about his trip from Attock to Shahdara (Lahore) under the title Manzil na kar qabul.  It gave details of the entire route, like a reaserch scholar would have.

Muhammad Daud Tahis no longer lives in Lahore.  Like most ex-bureaucrats, he has gone and settled in Islamabad.  However, he has no forgotten me and has been kind enough to send me his latest travelogue, Nai Manzilaein Hain Pukarti.  Although according to the contents it is the story of a travel from Lahore to Islamabad on the motorway, when you go through it, book ends up as a travelogue of Punjab.  By making diversion from the dreary route the author has covered the areas which lie in the hinterland along the motorway.

For example, most of us have used the motorway and even stopped at Bhera for lunch but how many of us know that Bhera is the place where famous Indian Cricketers like Lala Amarnath and Bishen Singh Bedi learnt how to wield the bat and deliver the ball.  In fact, he starts from the birthplace of Guru Nanak and on the way shows us the resting places of Waris Shah, the writer of the Heer.  Not only that, while coming in the vicinity of Sargodha, he takes us to the last resting places of the former Prime Minister Feroz Khan Noon and Sir Khizr Hayat Tiwana, who ruled what was once united Punjab.

Muhammad Daud Tahir has still another travelogue under print, besides some treatises dealing with his professional career.  The best thing about him is that he writes only that which he knows would be of interest to the reader.  The flow in his writing is enough to make his narrative more interesting, rather gripping.

June 19 – 25, 2004

And, on the socio-cultural fronts, another travelogue of Daud Tahir entitled  “Manzil Na Kar Wqabool” was launched at a function held at the Alhamra Art Centre.

Punjab Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Khalid Maqbul was the chief guest at the book launching function which was addressed by Dr. Arifa Syeda, Munnoo Bhai, Amjad Islam Amjad, Hassan Nisar, Abdul Qadir Hassan, and Mustansar Hussain Tarar among others. 

The Muslim

TRAVELOGUE ON IRAN, TURKEY APPRECIATED

 August 06, 1998

ISLAMABAD, Aug 05: Chairman Senate of Pakistan Waseem Sajjad has said, that intellectuals should wield their pens for the solidarity of Pakistan and glory of Islam.  They should try to reactivate the nation’s dormant qualities.

He was addressing at the launching ceremony of the book, ‘Safar Zindagi Hai’, by eminent writer Daud Tahir here Wednesday, says a press release.

The ceremony was attended by a large number of writers and intellectuals.  Those who spoke on this occasion include Jamil Uddin Aali, Turkish Councllor Ayhan Enginar, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Hassan Dani, Begum Saqiba Rahim uddin, Dr. Inamul Haq Javed and Ehsan Kibriya.

Waseem Sajjad said the government thinks that intellectuals are the torch-bearers of society.  They are expected to mould the nations thinking.  He said such persons should wield their pens to root out frustration so that creative capabilities could be strengthen.

He further said God Almighty has gifted us with a lot of talents, however, we are not aware of our qualities.  It is the duty of our writers to reactivate these dormant facilities of the nation.

He said travelogues occupy unique position among other forms of literature.  It acquaints the readers with foreign civilizations.  He said, we have to build a modern Pakistani society and it is the duty of our writers that they should focus on Islam, which is Pakistan’s founding ideology.

He said Daud Tahir is a valuable addition in our literary circle.  He has a deep insight which got him recognized in the arena of literature.  He expressed the hope that he would continue his efforts.

Jamil uddin Aali said, “we are thandful to Daud Tahir who has led us alongwith him to a tour mentally and psychologically and has provided us the opportunity to feel as if we are really accompanying him.”

Daud Tahir said, “ I have presented my reflections frankly and I hope readers will enjoy it.”

Dr. Inamul Haq said that Daud Tahir was a new comer in the field of travelogues who successfully got himself recognized.  He has done justice with his travelogue.

Councilor of Republic of Turkey Ayhan Enginar Aran said the dominant quality of the book is that womenfolk have not over-shadowed the important happenings as travelogue writers generally do.  This quality has made him unique.

Prof. Dr. A.H. Dani said his travelogue is given is void of exaggeration and romance.  It has no fictional blend and the reader is given realities of life to read.

Begum Saqiba Rahim uddin said, Daud Tahir has done full justice with his work and has provided useful information about the places be visited.

Ehsan Kibriya said the pleasing diction of Daud Tahir has realistic approach and he conveys his message successfully.

The ceremony was rounded off with a reception from Ehsan Kibriya.  A large number of intellectuals, poets and writers attended.

‘SCHOLARLY FRATERNITY VITAL FOR ISLAMIC BROTHERHOOD’

By Hasan Masud August 06, 1998

ISLAMABAD: The scholarly fraternity must promote patriotism and brotherhood in the wake of recent dangers faced by Pakistan, said senate Chairman Wasim Sajjad on Wednesday.

He was addressing the launching ceremony of Daud Tahir’s book ‘Safar Zindagi Hai.’  The ceremony was organized by ‘Daira’.

Safar Zindagi Hai, is Tahir’s second work which encompasses the experiences of his journey to Iran and Turkey undertaken in 1992.

The Sanate chairman, who was the chief guest at the ceremony, said the book was an attempt to promote Islamic brotherhood.

“We share common ideological and strategic interests with both countries and these fraternal feelings are also shared by the people of these countries,” he said.

Another feature that distinguished the work was the writer’s expression of personal experiences with human psychology and history, Wasim added.

The travelogue presents the reader with a picture of modern Iran and Turkey.

“The writer, however, does not restrict himself with presenting a modern picture but also enlightens us about the historical background of the places visited,” Wasim said.

Historical figures like Rumi, Omar Khayam and Nadir Shah could be seen as living characters in the account.

The writer had also analysed the impact of Kamal Ata Turk and Imam Khomeni or their respective societies, Wasim said.

“Promotion of Islamic brotherhood, can be considered central idea of the book,” he concluded

Earlier, an official of the Turkish Embassy, Ayhan Enginar, described the book as a ‘precious work’ which could be of great help in promoting tourism.

He hoped that Pakistan could learn from Turkish experiences in the fields of tourism.

Speaking on the occasion, professor Dr. Ahmad Hsaan Dani praised auother’s insights into the archaeological background of the places of the two countries.

Senator Jamil-ud-Din Aali praised author’s objective analysis of the surroundings and described it as the biggest quality of the book.

“These personal experiences should be shared with the people of other countries,” he concluded.

SAFAR ZINDAGI HEY;A TRAVELOGUE TO SUIT MANY TASTES

 By Col. (Retd) Masud Akhtar Sheikh November, 22, 1998

I wonder if you have come across Daud Tahir’s captivating travelogue about Iran and Turkey.  It was published recently by Ferozesons with the title Safar Zindagi Hai.  It makes a valuable addition to the catalogue of Urdu travelogues.  I enjoyed reading it.  I’m sure you will enjoy it too.

You may not be familiar with Daud Tahir’s name.  I won’t blame you for that.  I would rather attribute it to his own aversion to publicity, otherwise his very first book, Shauq Humsafar Maira, was good enough to raise him to the apex of prominence among Pakistani writers.

Now that his second book has earned him a place of honour among Pakistan’s travelogue writers, there is no reason why he should continue to remain a stranger to you.  The fact that Mustansar Hussain Tarar, chronic addict to wanderlust, has accepted this book as his future guide, speaks volumes for the book’s worth and the author’s merit.

There could be another reason why Daud Tahir has not yet been able to break the barrier of obscurity that separates him from the reading public.  He happens to be a high government official.  And, while all honest Pakistani citizens regard every government official as an object of fear, an official of the Income Tax Department, to which Daud Tahir belongs, is considered to be particularly awe-inspiring.  However, once you meet him, you will be convinced that he is more of a man than an officer.  This is also the impression you will get from his books.

I was tempted to read Daud Tahir’s present book because I had found his first book thoroughly fascinating.  His strong grip over the pen, his keen and discerning eye for detail, his deep understanding of men and matters, his simple language interspersed with light satire and innocently mischievous remarks, and his charming style was enough to captivate me, forcing me to read on and on.  I was gratified to find some of these qualities even more pronounced and polished in his present work.

The author is fully cognizant of his readers’ weaknesses.  He has catered for a variety of tastes.  For those with a passion for art and literature, he has visited the tombs of some renowned men of letters like Firdausi, Khayyam, Hafiz Shirazi, Fariduddin Attar, Maulana Rumi, and many others, and has collected some highly interesting details about these gems that will continue shining in the world of literature forever.

For those with a religious bent of mind, he gives a penetrating description of the shrines and mausoleums of renowned saints like Imam Raza, Imam Ghazali, Hazrat Abu Ayyub Ansari, and others who lie buried in Turkey and Iran, and provides a lot of information about their lives and achievements.

For those interested in history, there are kings and queen to meet, grand palaces, mansions, and castles to visit, and a host of lessons to be learnt from these by today’s rulers.

Despite maintaining an air of puritanical deportment throughout his journey, the author does not hesitate catering for those having bohemian taste either.  For instance, while visiting the famous Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, he peeps rather too searchingly into the harem and the strictly private affairs of the Ottoman Sultans, their wives and concubines.  The narrative is seductive enough to endanger the godliness of a man of lukewarm piety.

But I must say Daud Tahir has proved to be fairly timid person, as far as his approach to sin in concerned.  Now and then he does seem to be moving in the footsteps of Lucifer but long before getting inextricably involved in a naughty affair, you see him cleverly retracing his steps, hurriedly running back to the path of rectitude.

No wonder having spent two long weeks in the company of a damsel as young and beautiful as Margaret, and getting very unambiguous signals from her he does not fall a prey to temptation.

I feel sorry for the author’s young nephew Khalidy, who committed the blunder of accompanying Daud Tahir on this long journey, thereby spoiling what could have been some of the most romantic days of his early youth.  Tight from the time he left home till he returned to Pakistan, he had no option but to keep donning the cloak of a dervish under the domineering influence of his uncle.  Here is a lesson for all young men to remember: avoid the company of an elderly relative on a visit abroad, especially if he happens to be an overly godly person.

One thing that attracts the special attention of the reader is the author’s fondness for pampering his taste buds.  Whether he is trotting about or relaxing in a hotel, the moment he feels hungry he dashes straight to the nearest catery.  His fascination for food is so strong that it is never deterred by the language barrier.  In this connection, his experiences with some of the unknown meals and other eatables both in Turkey and Iran are quite amusing. 

‘SAFAR ZINDAGI HAI’ LAUNCHED

SOLIDARITY, SELF-RELIANCE TO MAKE PAKISTAN STRONGER

HAMDAH WAQAR   August 06, 1998

ISLAMABAD – Senate Chairman Wasim Sajjad said on Wednesday that because of Muslim Ummah unity, solidarity and self-relianace Pakistan will emerge as a stronger and respectable country on the world map.

He was addressing as chief guest on the occasion of launching of book ‘Safar Zindagi Hai’ written by Daud Tahir, held under the auspices of literary organization Daira here at a local hotel.

The book is about the traveling experience in two brotherly countries Iran and Turkey.

Appreciating the efforts of the writer, Washim Sajjad termed the book as an important step to promote the already existing strong and brotherly relations among the three countries.  He said the style is beautiful and extempore.  The observations and narrations are praise worthy.  The writer not only portraits the true picture of the traditions, Islamic culture and love of people, but simultaneously gives a historical background in such a good way, that the reader finds himself involved as if he has traveled through these countries.

Wasim Sajjad hoped the book will further strengthen the brotherly relations between Pakistan, Iran and Turkey.

Jameel-ud-Din Aali said writing travelogues is the most expensive kind of literary art, and it’s the most favourite topic, after poetry, fiction and story writing.  He said the style and simplicity of the writer is the hallmark of this travelogue.