Pizza
Ingredients:
Dough ingredients
2 pounds, 3 ounces (1 kilogram) strong bread flour
1 ounce (30 grams) sugar
1 ounce (30 grams) salt
1 ounce dried yeast
1 pint (565 milliliters) tepid water
2 tablespoons olive oil
Topping:
cheese any kind
and whatever you want like tomatoes,onions,olives,peppers,chicken,mushrooms etc.
Preparation:
Put the flour onto a work surface or use a bowl,if you are short of space.Using your fingers, make a big well in the middle of the flour.Add the sugar,salt and yeast then pour in the tepid water and olive oil.Using a fork,make circular movements from the center moving outwards, slowly bringing in more of the flour until all the yeast mixture is soaked up.This should be starting to look like dough now so you can start to work and knead it until it is smooth. This should take around 4 minutes.Roll out to a sausage shape and divide into 8 or 10 balls, depending on how large you want the pizzas to be.
Flour the surface and roll each pizza out to about the thickness of 3 beer coasters (1/3 of an inch). They don’t have to be perfectly round, they should look homemade. Place each pizza on a lightly oiled and floured piece of tin foil. Flour the top of the pizza, placing another on top of it. Flour that and repeat this until all the pizzas are stacked together. These can be frozen for a couple of months, placed in the fridge for 10 hours, or cooked straight away. Lightly top with your chosen topping (the simpler the better) and bake directly on the oven bars for 10 minutes at your oven’s highest temperature.
Dough ingredients
2 pounds, 3 ounces (1 kilogram) strong bread flour
1 ounce (30 grams) sugar
1 ounce (30 grams) salt
1 ounce dried yeast
1 pint (565 milliliters) tepid water
2 tablespoons olive oil
Topping:
cheese any kind
and whatever you want like tomatoes,onions,olives,peppers,chicken,mushrooms etc.
Preparation:
Put the flour onto a work surface or use a bowl,if you are short of space.Using your fingers, make a big well in the middle of the flour.Add the sugar,salt and yeast then pour in the tepid water and olive oil.Using a fork,make circular movements from the center moving outwards, slowly bringing in more of the flour until all the yeast mixture is soaked up.This should be starting to look like dough now so you can start to work and knead it until it is smooth. This should take around 4 minutes.Roll out to a sausage shape and divide into 8 or 10 balls, depending on how large you want the pizzas to be.
Flour the surface and roll each pizza out to about the thickness of 3 beer coasters (1/3 of an inch). They don’t have to be perfectly round, they should look homemade. Place each pizza on a lightly oiled and floured piece of tin foil. Flour the top of the pizza, placing another on top of it. Flour that and repeat this until all the pizzas are stacked together. These can be frozen for a couple of months, placed in the fridge for 10 hours, or cooked straight away. Lightly top with your chosen topping (the simpler the better) and bake directly on the oven bars for 10 minutes at your oven’s highest temperature.
Hot & Spicy Pizza
For Dough Ingredients:
Maida 2 Cups
Yeast 1 tsp
Sugar 1 tsp
Salt 1/2 tsp
Oil 2 TBsp
Milk 3/4 Cup
For Topping:
Chicken boiled & shredded or cooked mince 1/2-1 Cup
Tomatoes 2 cut into cubes
Capsicum 1 cut into cubes
Onion 1 chopped
Pickled Olives 1-2TBsp
Salt to taste
Red Chillies powder 1/2 tsp
Green Chillies 2 chopped
Ketchup to taste
Pizza Sauce to taste
Black Pepper to taste
Mozzarella Cheese to taste
Method:
Take lukewarm milk, mix sugar & yeast. Cover it for 15 minutes.
Mix Maida, salt, oil & yeast mixture. Knead the dough well. Cover it for 2 hours.
In a pan take 1 Tbsp, saute onion, then add tomatoes, chicken, salt, red chillies powder. Cook little. Then add capsicum, green chillies, black pepper. mix & cook little.
Roll the dough on pizza pan. Spread pizza sauce, then spread the above chicken mixture. Sprinkle olives, tomato ketchup, cheese & black pepper.
Put it in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until it is done. Serve hot.
Maida 2 Cups
Yeast 1 tsp
Sugar 1 tsp
Salt 1/2 tsp
Oil 2 TBsp
Milk 3/4 Cup
For Topping:
Chicken boiled & shredded or cooked mince 1/2-1 Cup
Tomatoes 2 cut into cubes
Capsicum 1 cut into cubes
Onion 1 chopped
Pickled Olives 1-2TBsp
Salt to taste
Red Chillies powder 1/2 tsp
Green Chillies 2 chopped
Ketchup to taste
Pizza Sauce to taste
Black Pepper to taste
Mozzarella Cheese to taste
Method:
Take lukewarm milk, mix sugar & yeast. Cover it for 15 minutes.
Mix Maida, salt, oil & yeast mixture. Knead the dough well. Cover it for 2 hours.
In a pan take 1 Tbsp, saute onion, then add tomatoes, chicken, salt, red chillies powder. Cook little. Then add capsicum, green chillies, black pepper. mix & cook little.
Roll the dough on pizza pan. Spread pizza sauce, then spread the above chicken mixture. Sprinkle olives, tomato ketchup, cheese & black pepper.
Put it in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until it is done. Serve hot.
Chicken Tikka Pizza
Ingredients:
Pizza base 1 large size
Chicken tikka, boneless small cubes 1/4 kg
Capsicum, finely chopped 1 large
Spring onion, finely chopped 2
Pizza cheese, grated 1 1/2 cup
Cheddar cheese, grated 1/2 cup
Chili cheese, grated 1/2 cup
Butter as required
Pizza sauce
Tomatoes 6 medium
Basil leaves 6 fresh, or 1/4 tsp dried
Green chillies 4
Garlic cloves 6
Chili powder 1/2 tsp
Tomato ketchup 2 tbsp
Chili garlic sauce 3 tbsp
Oregano 1/4 tsp
Butter 1 1/2 tbsp
Salt to taste
Method:
Pizza sauce: Grind tomatoes, garlic, green chillies and basil leaves in a mixer grinder. In a saucepan, heat butter and fry oregano on low heat. Add tomato puree mixture, chilli sauce and ketchup. Mix well on high heat till it boils. Cover the pan and let it simmer on low heat, till tomato puree becomes thick and butter separates from the sauce. Remove from heat. In a
separate bowl mix the cheese together and keep aside.
Apply a little butter to the pizza base, then spread pizza sauce, chicken, vegetables and finally spread the cheese mixture and finish with little butter on top. Bake in a preheated oven on high temperature for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve hot with garlic bread.
Serves 6 people
Pizza base 1 large size
Chicken tikka, boneless small cubes 1/4 kg
Capsicum, finely chopped 1 large
Spring onion, finely chopped 2
Pizza cheese, grated 1 1/2 cup
Cheddar cheese, grated 1/2 cup
Chili cheese, grated 1/2 cup
Butter as required
Pizza sauce
Tomatoes 6 medium
Basil leaves 6 fresh, or 1/4 tsp dried
Green chillies 4
Garlic cloves 6
Chili powder 1/2 tsp
Tomato ketchup 2 tbsp
Chili garlic sauce 3 tbsp
Oregano 1/4 tsp
Butter 1 1/2 tbsp
Salt to taste
Method:
Pizza sauce: Grind tomatoes, garlic, green chillies and basil leaves in a mixer grinder. In a saucepan, heat butter and fry oregano on low heat. Add tomato puree mixture, chilli sauce and ketchup. Mix well on high heat till it boils. Cover the pan and let it simmer on low heat, till tomato puree becomes thick and butter separates from the sauce. Remove from heat. In a
separate bowl mix the cheese together and keep aside.
Apply a little butter to the pizza base, then spread pizza sauce, chicken, vegetables and finally spread the cheese mixture and finish with little butter on top. Bake in a preheated oven on high temperature for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve hot with garlic bread.
Serves 6 people
BBQ Chicken Pizza
Ingredients:
1 (12 inch) pre-baked pizza crust
1 cup spicy barbecue sauce/chili sauce
2 boneless chicken breast halves, cooked and cubed
1/2 cup chopped fresh coriander
1 cup sliced capsicum
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 tsp crushed red chillies
Method:
*Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place pizza crust on a baking tray and spread the crust with barbecue sauce.
*Top with chicken, coriander, capsicum, onion, and both kinds of cheese.
*Sprinkle the crushed chillies on top.
*Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
1 (12 inch) pre-baked pizza crust
1 cup spicy barbecue sauce/chili sauce
2 boneless chicken breast halves, cooked and cubed
1/2 cup chopped fresh coriander
1 cup sliced capsicum
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 tsp crushed red chillies
Method:
*Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place pizza crust on a baking tray and spread the crust with barbecue sauce.
*Top with chicken, coriander, capsicum, onion, and both kinds of cheese.
*Sprinkle the crushed chillies on top.
*Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Nargisy Koftay
Ingredients:
kg Ground Meat
2 Eggs
3 Onions
1 tbsp Ginger+Garlic Paste
Salt To Taste
Red Chili To taste
1 tsp Garam Masala Powder
1 tsp Coriander Powder
1 tsp Cumin Seeds
Cup Chana Dal
Cup Butter Oil (”Ghee”)
2 Medium Sized Tomatoes
Green Coriander And Green Chillies
Preparation:
Firstly put chana dal with the meat and add in the ginger garlic paste, salt and red chilli powder till tender and water dries up. Then grind the mixture very finely. Hard boil 5 eggs. Now add garam masala in the ground meat. Now take one egg and cover it with the mixture of meat so that no egg can be seen and it forms a ball. Do the same with all others. Now heat oil and fry chopped onions. Add in the tomatoes and mix well. Then add salt, ginger+garlic paste and red chilli powder, cumin seeds and coriander powder all 1 tsp and mix well. Cook for 5 minutes. Heat the gheeClick to find more about ghee. Beat another egg and dip the balls in it and fry till brown. Now cut eggs straight and place on the prepared gravy. Garnish with coriander leaves.
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Similar Recipes
1 Meatloaf Beef
2 Fry meat ( tala hoa gosht) Beef
3 Baked spicy meat Beef
4 Lasagna Beef
5 Dam ka qeema Beef
kg Ground Meat
2 Eggs
3 Onions
1 tbsp Ginger+Garlic Paste
Salt To Taste
Red Chili To taste
1 tsp Garam Masala Powder
1 tsp Coriander Powder
1 tsp Cumin Seeds
Cup Chana Dal
Cup Butter Oil (”Ghee”)
2 Medium Sized Tomatoes
Green Coriander And Green Chillies
Preparation:
Firstly put chana dal with the meat and add in the ginger garlic paste, salt and red chilli powder till tender and water dries up. Then grind the mixture very finely. Hard boil 5 eggs. Now add garam masala in the ground meat. Now take one egg and cover it with the mixture of meat so that no egg can be seen and it forms a ball. Do the same with all others. Now heat oil and fry chopped onions. Add in the tomatoes and mix well. Then add salt, ginger+garlic paste and red chilli powder, cumin seeds and coriander powder all 1 tsp and mix well. Cook for 5 minutes. Heat the gheeClick to find more about ghee. Beat another egg and dip the balls in it and fry till brown. Now cut eggs straight and place on the prepared gravy. Garnish with coriander leaves.
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Similar Recipes
1 Meatloaf Beef
2 Fry meat ( tala hoa gosht) Beef
3 Baked spicy meat Beef
4 Lasagna Beef
5 Dam ka qeema Beef
Nargasi Kabab
Ingredients:
1 kg.minced meat(qeema)
2 medium onions cut into large pieces
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup yogurt
1 tbsp. paste of garlic&ginger
salt as by taste
1 tsp. red chili
1 tsp. garam masala
1/2 tsp. chinese salt
soya sauce and white vinegar as by taste
FOR FILLING
5 boiled eggs cut into small pieces
1 bowl coriander leaves(dhuniya)cut into small pieces
1 bowl mint leaves(podina)cut in small pieces
2or3 green chillies
i tsp. chat masala.
FOR FRYING
2 tbsp. gram flour(basin)
20r3 eggs
Preparation:
cook onions in oil until light brown then add yogurt,garlic&ginger paste,salt,red chili,garam masala,chinese salt,soya sauce and vinegar in onions and cook 6 to 8 min. and then add minced meat(qeema) in it and cook for 3 min. then add 1/2 cup of water in it and cook until water dry.and then chop this whole mixture in chopper until all things are crushed together.
FOR FILLING
mix together boiled eggs,coriander leaves(dhuniya),mintleaves(podina),green chillies and chat masala in one bowl.
FOR FILLING KABAB
take some amount of minced meat mixture and flatten it in the palm,place 1 tsp.or tbsp. boiled eggs filling on it .wrap minced meat mixture around boiled eggs filling until it completely enclosed like a petties.
FOR FRYING
Add 2 tbsp of gram flour (basin ). In 2 or 3 uncooked eggs and mix them.Wrap kabab with this mixture and fry them in oil in medium size frying pan until golden brown.
1 kg.minced meat(qeema)
2 medium onions cut into large pieces
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup yogurt
1 tbsp. paste of garlic&ginger
salt as by taste
1 tsp. red chili
1 tsp. garam masala
1/2 tsp. chinese salt
soya sauce and white vinegar as by taste
FOR FILLING
5 boiled eggs cut into small pieces
1 bowl coriander leaves(dhuniya)cut into small pieces
1 bowl mint leaves(podina)cut in small pieces
2or3 green chillies
i tsp. chat masala.
FOR FRYING
2 tbsp. gram flour(basin)
20r3 eggs
Preparation:
cook onions in oil until light brown then add yogurt,garlic&ginger paste,salt,red chili,garam masala,chinese salt,soya sauce and vinegar in onions and cook 6 to 8 min. and then add minced meat(qeema) in it and cook for 3 min. then add 1/2 cup of water in it and cook until water dry.and then chop this whole mixture in chopper until all things are crushed together.
FOR FILLING
mix together boiled eggs,coriander leaves(dhuniya),mintleaves(podina),green chillies and chat masala in one bowl.
FOR FILLING KABAB
take some amount of minced meat mixture and flatten it in the palm,place 1 tsp.or tbsp. boiled eggs filling on it .wrap minced meat mixture around boiled eggs filling until it completely enclosed like a petties.
FOR FRYING
Add 2 tbsp of gram flour (basin ). In 2 or 3 uncooked eggs and mix them.Wrap kabab with this mixture and fry them in oil in medium size frying pan until golden brown.
Namak Mirch Qeema
Ingredients:
2 lb. ground beef
2 tbsp. ginger paste
2 tbsp. garlic paste
salt to taste
1 lemon
2 tbsp. yogurt
2 tbsp. ground red pepper
1 tbsp. chili powder
3 green chili
1 bunch of cilantro
Preparation:
Pour the oil into the pan and turn heat on high. Add the ginger and garlic paste and keep stirring until it turns a little brown. Add in the ground beef and let it cook until all meat is brown. Add in the salt , ground red pepper and chili powder. Keep mixing it until some water is absorbed then add in the yogurt. Keep mixing it until almost all liquid is absorbed then squeeze one lemon into the meat and add the green chili (sliced) and cilantro. Mix for about 35 more min. and serve.
2 lb. ground beef
2 tbsp. ginger paste
2 tbsp. garlic paste
salt to taste
1 lemon
2 tbsp. yogurt
2 tbsp. ground red pepper
1 tbsp. chili powder
3 green chili
1 bunch of cilantro
Preparation:
Pour the oil into the pan and turn heat on high. Add the ginger and garlic paste and keep stirring until it turns a little brown. Add in the ground beef and let it cook until all meat is brown. Add in the salt , ground red pepper and chili powder. Keep mixing it until some water is absorbed then add in the yogurt. Keep mixing it until almost all liquid is absorbed then squeeze one lemon into the meat and add the green chili (sliced) and cilantro. Mix for about 35 more min. and serve.
Kefta Kababs
Ingredients:
1 lb. ground lean beef or lamb
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 medium onion, grated
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. freshly ground pepper
Salt to taste
Preparation:
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well. Let stand 1 hour to blend flavors. Preheat oven to broil. Or prepare hot coals on barbecue grill. Using about 1/4 cup mixture for each kabob, mold into a sausage shape around flat metal skewers. Moistening hands will help mold the meat mixture onto skewers. Taper ends of sausage shapes to prevent meat from slipping off skewers during cooking. Place skewers on broiler rack 4 inches from heat source on grill or over hot coals. Turn frequently to brown evenly until meat is done as desired, 10 to 15 minutes.
1 lb. ground lean beef or lamb
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 medium onion, grated
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. freshly ground pepper
Salt to taste
Preparation:
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well. Let stand 1 hour to blend flavors. Preheat oven to broil. Or prepare hot coals on barbecue grill. Using about 1/4 cup mixture for each kabob, mold into a sausage shape around flat metal skewers. Moistening hands will help mold the meat mixture onto skewers. Taper ends of sausage shapes to prevent meat from slipping off skewers during cooking. Place skewers on broiler rack 4 inches from heat source on grill or over hot coals. Turn frequently to brown evenly until meat is done as desired, 10 to 15 minutes.
Kabab Roll
Ingredients:
Undercut Pasinda 1/2 Kg
chilly Powder 1 Tsp
green Chillies Grinded 1 Tsp
papita 1 Tsp
ginger / Garlic 1 Tsp
zeera 1 Tsp
all Spice Powder 1/2 Tsp
pinch Of Haldi
salt 1 Tsp
oil 23 Tbsp
wheat Flour 1 Cup salt 1 Tsp
maida 2 Cups
for Chutney
imly Juice 1 Cup
chilly Powder 1 Tsp
zeera 1 Tsp Roasted
garlic 1 Tsp
salt To Taste
onion Sliced And Podina Leaves For Filling
Preparation:
Marinate beef with all the ingredients and leave for few hours. Heat oil and add beef. Stir and add about 1 cup water in it to get tender. When done give dam of coal. Sift flours with salt knead it well and apply little ghee on top and leave it covered for a while. Then make small roti’s and shallow fry like paratha’s. In parathas put few pieces of in centre, slices of onion , spoonful of chutney and poodina then roll. Afterwards re-roll along with butter paper. Serve hot.
Undercut Pasinda 1/2 Kg
chilly Powder 1 Tsp
green Chillies Grinded 1 Tsp
papita 1 Tsp
ginger / Garlic 1 Tsp
zeera 1 Tsp
all Spice Powder 1/2 Tsp
pinch Of Haldi
salt 1 Tsp
oil 23 Tbsp
wheat Flour 1 Cup salt 1 Tsp
maida 2 Cups
for Chutney
imly Juice 1 Cup
chilly Powder 1 Tsp
zeera 1 Tsp Roasted
garlic 1 Tsp
salt To Taste
onion Sliced And Podina Leaves For Filling
Preparation:
Marinate beef with all the ingredients and leave for few hours. Heat oil and add beef. Stir and add about 1 cup water in it to get tender. When done give dam of coal. Sift flours with salt knead it well and apply little ghee on top and leave it covered for a while. Then make small roti’s and shallow fry like paratha’s. In parathas put few pieces of in centre, slices of onion , spoonful of chutney and poodina then roll. Afterwards re-roll along with butter paper. Serve hot.
| Beef Add comments
Ingredients:
½ kg kaleji / liver
1 tsp ginger paste
1 tsp garlic paste
½ tsp kachri/tenderizer
½ tsp coriander powder
¼ - ½ tsp turmeric
¼ - ½ tsp garam masala
1 tsp chili powder
2 lemons
Salt to taste
Method:
1. Make a paste of all spices and lemon juice and marinate kaleji in it overnight. Put on skewer, brush with oil and grill for approximately 10 to 20 minutes on charcoal or gas flame.
2. Kaleji should be slightly spongy when done.
3. Serve with green chutney, mixed with a little yogurt.
½ kg kaleji / liver
1 tsp ginger paste
1 tsp garlic paste
½ tsp kachri/tenderizer
½ tsp coriander powder
¼ - ½ tsp turmeric
¼ - ½ tsp garam masala
1 tsp chili powder
2 lemons
Salt to taste
Method:
1. Make a paste of all spices and lemon juice and marinate kaleji in it overnight. Put on skewer, brush with oil and grill for approximately 10 to 20 minutes on charcoal or gas flame.
2. Kaleji should be slightly spongy when done.
3. Serve with green chutney, mixed with a little yogurt.
Kofta Nahari Chana
Ingredients of Nahari:
Beef (bong) 1 kg
Fennel, cumin, dry ginger (grind together) 1 tsp
Oil 1 cup
Salt to taste
Red chilies 2 tbsp
Turmeric 1 tsp
Flour ½ cup
Ginger/ garlic paste 1 tsp
Onion (big) 1 only
Cloves 8 powder
Cardamom 6 grind
Ingredients of Koftas:
Beef (mince) ½ kg
Salt to taste
Red chilies per taste
Garam masala 1 tsp
Ginger powder 1 tsp
Green chilies (grinded) 1 tsp
Green coriander (thinly cut) 1 cup
Chana (bhuna, grind it) 1 tbsp
Khaskhas 1 tsp
Chana (white, boiled) 250 gms
Method:
Method for Nahari: In a pan heat oil then golden brown onion in it. Add ingredients of Nahari in this pan. Again mix well and stir-fry. Make paste of flour and fry it in a pan then add it in the above nahari pan. Mix well, stir for few minutes, and add enough water to soak meat in it. Then tightly cover the lid on pan and cook for several hours on medium heat. When meat is tender and gravy thickens with good smell. Simmer a little and put off flame. Nahari is ready.
Method of Koftas: In beef mice add ingredients of koftas. Mix well and make round balls. Shallow fry them. In Nahari pan put all the koftas. Mix them gently with gravy and cook on low flame for 10 minutes. Now add boiled canas in this Nahari pan, cook on low flame for 5-7 minutes. Then put this pan on ‘ Dum’. In another pan heat oil and brown ginger in it. Pour this ginger in Nahari pan to give Tarka. Put off flame and garnish. Nahari with green coriander leaves, green chilies and ginger. Serve with naan.
Beef (bong) 1 kg
Fennel, cumin, dry ginger (grind together) 1 tsp
Oil 1 cup
Salt to taste
Red chilies 2 tbsp
Turmeric 1 tsp
Flour ½ cup
Ginger/ garlic paste 1 tsp
Onion (big) 1 only
Cloves 8 powder
Cardamom 6 grind
Ingredients of Koftas:
Beef (mince) ½ kg
Salt to taste
Red chilies per taste
Garam masala 1 tsp
Ginger powder 1 tsp
Green chilies (grinded) 1 tsp
Green coriander (thinly cut) 1 cup
Chana (bhuna, grind it) 1 tbsp
Khaskhas 1 tsp
Chana (white, boiled) 250 gms
Method:
Method for Nahari: In a pan heat oil then golden brown onion in it. Add ingredients of Nahari in this pan. Again mix well and stir-fry. Make paste of flour and fry it in a pan then add it in the above nahari pan. Mix well, stir for few minutes, and add enough water to soak meat in it. Then tightly cover the lid on pan and cook for several hours on medium heat. When meat is tender and gravy thickens with good smell. Simmer a little and put off flame. Nahari is ready.
Method of Koftas: In beef mice add ingredients of koftas. Mix well and make round balls. Shallow fry them. In Nahari pan put all the koftas. Mix them gently with gravy and cook on low flame for 10 minutes. Now add boiled canas in this Nahari pan, cook on low flame for 5-7 minutes. Then put this pan on ‘ Dum’. In another pan heat oil and brown ginger in it. Pour this ginger in Nahari pan to give Tarka. Put off flame and garnish. Nahari with green coriander leaves, green chilies and ginger. Serve with naan.
Beef Fillets
Ingredients:
Beef fillets 1 kg
Yogurt 1 cup
Papaya (green) 2 tsp
Black cumin ½ tsp
Poppy seeds 1 tsp
Black pepper corns 6 whole
Cloves 3
Small cardamoms (choti ilaichi) 6
Chickpeas flour 2 tbsp
Red chili powder 1 tsp
Turmeric powder ½ tsp
Ginger and garlic paste 1 tbsp
Onion 1 large thinly sliced
Salt to taste
Oil ¾ cup
Garnish:
Spring coriander (fresh)
finely chopped 1 bunch
Spring fresh mint leaves
finely chopped 1 bunch
Green chilies 4 chopped
Lemons 2
Method:
Pound the beef fillets with a meat pounder, mix all the spices and ground papaya yogurt. Now coat each fillet with this paste, and then place in layers. Leave this to marinate for 45-60 minutes. Heat oil in a pan and fry the onions golden brown. Add fillets to the pan cover and cook on low heat. Do not add any water to it. When its natural water evaporates, squeeze lemon juice on it and sprinkle with chopped green masala. Cover with a lid and cook again for 10-15 minutes on low heat.
Beef fillets 1 kg
Yogurt 1 cup
Papaya (green) 2 tsp
Black cumin ½ tsp
Poppy seeds 1 tsp
Black pepper corns 6 whole
Cloves 3
Small cardamoms (choti ilaichi) 6
Chickpeas flour 2 tbsp
Red chili powder 1 tsp
Turmeric powder ½ tsp
Ginger and garlic paste 1 tbsp
Onion 1 large thinly sliced
Salt to taste
Oil ¾ cup
Garnish:
Spring coriander (fresh)
finely chopped 1 bunch
Spring fresh mint leaves
finely chopped 1 bunch
Green chilies 4 chopped
Lemons 2
Method:
Pound the beef fillets with a meat pounder, mix all the spices and ground papaya yogurt. Now coat each fillet with this paste, and then place in layers. Leave this to marinate for 45-60 minutes. Heat oil in a pan and fry the onions golden brown. Add fillets to the pan cover and cook on low heat. Do not add any water to it. When its natural water evaporates, squeeze lemon juice on it and sprinkle with chopped green masala. Cover with a lid and cook again for 10-15 minutes on low heat.
Business Etiquette & Protocol in Pakistan
. Third-party introductions are a necessity in this relationship-driven culture. . Pakistanis prefer to work with people they know and trust and will spend a great deal of time on the getting-to-know-you part of relationship building.
. You must not appear frustrated by what may appear to be purely social conversation. Pakistanis are hospitable and enjoy hosting foreign guests.
. Relationships take time to grow and must be nurtured. This may require several visits.
. Pakistanis often ask personal questions as a way to get to know you as a person.
. If possible, it is best to answer these questions.
. Pakistanis do not require as much personal space as most western cultures. As such, they will stand close to you while conversing and you may feel as if your personal space has been violated. Do not back away.
. Pakistanis are generally indirect communicators.
. Always demonstrate deference to the most senior person in the group.
. In general, Pakistanis speak in a roundabout or circuitous fashion. Direct statements are made only to those with whom they have a long-standing personal relationship.
. They also use a great deal of hyperbole and similes, and go out of their way to find something to praise.
. Be prepared to flatter and be flattered.
. Pakistanis prefer to converse in a non-controversial manner, so they will say they "will try" rather than admit that they cannot or will not be able to do something.
. Therefore, it is important to ask questions in several ways so you can be certain what was meant by a vague response. Silence is often used as a communication tool.
. Pakistanis prefer to do business in person. They see the telephone as too impersonal a medium for business communication.
Business Meeting Etiquette
. Appointments are necessary and should be made, in writing, 3 to 4 weeks in advance, although meetings with private companies can often be arranged with less notice.
. The best time to schedule meetings is in the late morning or early afternoon.
. If at all possible, try not to schedule meetings during Ramadan. The workday is shortened, and since Muslims fast, they could not offer you tea, which is a sign of hospitality.
. You should arrive at meetings on time and be prepared to be kept waiting.
. Pakistanis in the private sector who are accustomed to working with international companies often strive for punctuality, but are not always successful.
. It is not uncommon to have a meeting cancelled at the last minute or even once you have arrived.
. In general, Pakistanis have an open-door policy, even when they are in a meeting. This means there may be frequent interruptions. Other people may wander into the room and start a different discussion.
. Meetings are formal.
. Business meetings start after prolonged inquiries about health, family, etc.
. Never inquire about a colleague's wife or daughters.
. During the first several meetings, business may not be discussed at all as the relationship is still being developed.
. Maintain indirect eye contact while speaking.
Negotiating
. Companies are hierarchical. Decisions are made by the highest-ranking person.
. Decisions are reached slowly. If you try to rush things, you will give offense and jeopardize your business relationship.
. The society is extremely bureaucratic. Most decisions require several layers of approval.
. It often takes several visits to accomplish simple tasks.
. If you change negotiators, negotiations will have to start over since relationships are to the person and not the company that they represent.
. Pakistanis are highly skilled negotiators.
. Price is often a determining factor in closing a deal.
. Pakistanis strive for win-win outcomes.
. Maintain indirect eye contact while speaking.
. Do not use high-pressure tactics.
. Pakistanis can become highly emotional during negotiations. Discussions may become heated and even revert to Urdu (the national language). It is imperative that you remain calm.
Business Card Etiquette
. Business cards are exchanged after the initial introduction.
. Include any advanced university degrees or professional honours on your card, as they denote status.
. Business cards are exchanged using the right hand only or with two hands.
. Make a point of studying any business card you receive before putting into your business card holder.
Edward House Building Karachi
Following Article is taken from Daily Dawn of Sunday 4th October 2009IT’S a setting pretty much out of the famous Ayn Rand book, The Fountainhead. There’s an architect’s office located in an old, two-storey structure. Maps are rolled out on desks, with rulers and finely sharpened pencils lying alongside them. Apart from being a workplace, there are people residing in a few flats that exist in this gorgeous building: Edward House in Karachi.
The building has fine massing, striking balcony-like projections and a nice central tower. It’s more than apparent that Edward House is affected by the dissonance that you can experience on the main road on one of whose sides this lovely work of stonemasonry stands. The irony is that despite the rather defaced walls, its wooden staircase, the flooring, the fairly spacious rooms and the doors that for sure open into a time zone when life didn’t move at breakneck speed, make you feel affection for this almost a century-old piece of construction.
Those who are familiar with Karachi’s history will tell you that there was a period when Edward House on Victoria Road (today’s Abdullah Haroon Road) was a jazzy place.There used to be a ritzy cafe frequented by the crème de la crème of the city. The stuff that it specialised in was to-die-for, and a certain Mr Herbert Cumper was chiefly responsible for it. He was a celebrated baker and confectioner. Besides running Café Grand in Edward House, Mr Cumper offered quality catering services for wedding ceremonies and other social gatherings.Edward House was built in 1910, and it was in the second decade of the 20th century that Mr Cumper arrived in Karachi and earned recognition for his confectionary talent.
The Victoria Mansion adjoining Edward House is no insignificant site either. It also typifies the era when elegant architecture was deemed just as important for city life as peaceful coexistence for its denizens.Arif Saleem, who works at the chartered architects office housed in Edward House says: “Since we’re in the business of construction and interior designing, we are aware how beautiful the building is. I’ve been working here for the last 28 years, and things have changed a lot. The photocopier that you see on the ground floor next to the stairs wasn’t originally there. There were other ‘interesting’ stores, par ticularly in the late ‘70s.” The artist behind Edward House was Moses Somake. Yes, the same man who came up with brilliant structural designs like the BVS School, the Goan-Portuguese Hall and the Mules Mansion. Unlike his other achievements, Edward House’s design is of a hybrid nature. The façade is simple in character but attractive nonetheless. It has strong stone detailing and rusticated masonry. The balustrading on the roof once made it look a tad taller, but the air and noise pollution stuffing the at mosphere around the structure makes you almost forgetful of its top level. You can’t crane your neck to look up, because the traffic is nonstop and the noise is deafening. If you dare to lift your head you’ll have to put up with a crick in the neck. Mr Somake, we appreciate your effort, but Karachi is no more the town you wanted to strew with imaginative buildings.
Architect Yasmeen Lari says, “Edward House is a beauty that has never been restored or renovated. Its façade needs to be cleaned at the earliest because the stone used in its makeup has become really dirty. I don’t know what the problem is, but we must realise that such historic edifices belong to all of us. It’s our collective responsibility to take care of them.
“The trouble with Edward House is that pollution has eaten away the patina. Vehicular emission is a killer for stonemasonry, because it causes the stone to disintegrate. Such old constructions must be kept clean, that’s how they last. In order to ensure their preservation traffic must be diverted from areas where these structures exist. I think there should be more plantation and less automobiles in the Saddar precinct. Also, care must be taken to avoid water seepage,” says Ms Lari.
The renowned architect is not just worried about Edward House and the Victoria Mansion. She says out of the nearly 600 heritage sites, between 20 and 30 have been, or are, cleaned. The rest are just withering away.
This is an alarming situation. How can we allow our heritage to fade away? How can we let the creative genius of people like James Staratchan and Moses Somake go to waste?
It’s not certain whether Moses Somake designed the Victoria Mansion; however the mansion’s façade too has the fenestration similar to Edward House. Its Ionic columns and carved balusters on the roof are also worth mentioning. And both structures have one common enemy: pollution. —Writer :
indai
TAXILA, Oct 3 2009: Courtesy Daily Dawn, The federal archaeology department says it is is struggling to protect ancient sites in Taxila and Hassanabdal from vandalism and encroachment, which have exposed them to the threat of destruction.Around 50 internationally acclaimed sites, dating back to the Buddhist, Mughal and Colonial era, are located in the two towns and some of them have been regarded as “World Heritage Sites” by USESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) , whereas the Pakistani government has notified them as “protected sites” under the Antiquities Act 1975.
According to Dawn reporter Official sources and documents available with the reporter reveal that there are more than two dozen ancient sites in Taxila and Hassanabdal, and at least six of them have fallen prey to encroachers and land grabbers. They include Sarai Khola, Bhir Mound, Nicholson Monument, Wah Gardens and Lalarukh Tomb.
It is important to mention that Section 22 of the Antiquities Act 1975 prohibits any structure or construction within 200 feet of pro tected sites’ outer portion.The archeology department, which does not have its own force or resources to get remove encroachments, has to seek assistance from local police as well as revenue department to reclaim the land.
However, for over a year such help is not always available because of encroachers’ alleged links with some influential political figures.
Irony is theat at some of these beautiful sites, mobile phone service providers have installed their UGLY base transceiver stations (BTSs) while a hotel is also being constructed near Taxila Museum and Bhir Mound adding to the mosery of the site.
The archaeology department has issued as many as 12 notices to the land owner and a local court has stopped the contractor from carrying out the work, but the hotel and a plaza are still being constructed, thanks to the influance of the high ups.
The archaeology department brought the matter into the notice of the police but they failed to take any action against the violator due to the reasons best known to them.
Pottery From Sarai Khola 4000BC Islamabad Museum
Similarly, houses have been constructed around Mughal Gardens in Wah and Lalarukh Tomb in Hassanabdal.
When contacted, an official of the archaeology department’s sub regional office in Taxila said local courts ruled in favour of the department but local people backed by political leadership flouted the court orders, and police also took no any action against them.
It may be recalled here that the Supreme Court on August 6, 2007, ordered the removal of all encroachments in and around the archeological sites throughout the country.
In the judgment passed by a two-member bench, comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and Justice M. Javed Buttar, the Punjab government was told to remove encroachments from historical places within three months.The apex court also directed the chief secretaries of all the four provinces to remove encroachments around historical places in their respective areas “as if the court orders will be listend to.”
Baba Ghundi festival celebrated in Chipursan, Hunza on the World
The first-ever Baba Ghundi Festival was held in the Chipurson valley of upper Hunza on Sunday in connection with the World Tourism Day. The main event was held in the Ispenj village of Chipurson, where traditional songs and games like polo, buz kashi and mindek received applauds from the spectators.The event was organized by the Gilgit-Baltistan tourism department in collaboration with the Chipurson Local Support Organization (CLSO), Aga Khan Rural Support Programme and the Aga Khan Cultural Services Pakistan.
Brig Nadeemul Hassan Tirmizi, Director General of Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts, presided over the event and Group Captain (retired) Shah Khan, a veteran of the liberation war of Gilgit-Baltistan, was the chief guest. Thousands of people from all over Gilgit-Baltistan participated in the event. Speaking on the occasion, CLSO chairman Mohammad Ayub highlighted the strategic importance of the border between Chipurson and Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan and stressed the need for opening the border for tourism and trade activities. He said restrictions on tourists to cross the border and lack of basic infrastructure in the Chipurson valley were the main hurdles in exploiting the potential of tourism in the valley.He demanded that the government should establish a 10-bed hospital in the area having a medical officer and ambulance facilities. He said local schools were without teachers and the valley lacked landline and mobile phone facilities. He also said the road from Chipurson to Baba Ghundi needed to be widened.
Mr Tirmizi assured the community that their demands would be communicated to departments concerned and all support would be extended to solve their problems. He also appreciated the discipline and cultural diversity of the people living in the valley and invited two polo teams from Chipurson to participate in the coming polo tournament in Gilgit. He invited two Polo teams from Chipurson to participate the coming Polo tournament in Gilgit.Shah Khan stressed the need for organizing a festival in the area, inviting performers from all around the Pamir region. In the end, the delegations visited the tomb of the famous Saint Baba Ghundi and offered Fatiha. The local singers also presented Sufic songs. Sultan Ahmed, representative of the CLSO briefed the delegates about the famous saint Baba Ghundi.
Chipurson valley lies in the extreme Northwest in Gojal Upper Hunza region some 20 kilometers from Sost and 220 kilometers from Gilgit city. The valley consists of 9 villages having a population of more than 4000 individuals. The valley has a geo-strategic importance due to its borders with Wakhan Corridor of Northern Afghanistan and close proximity with Tajikistan. Special polo tournaments are arranged in every summer. Due to remoteness of the area people have less opportunity to access basic facilities
China Culture Week inaugurated
2009-09-29 Pakistani prime minister and Chinese ambassador to Pakistan inaugurated here Monday the China Culture Week as a part of the high-profile events to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Addressing a China culture show, Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani said that the relations between Pakistan and China cover all spectrums including political, strategic, defense, cultural, economic and trade areas.
Gilani said the two countries have worked steadfastly to build this ideal relationship during the last six decades. He said both countries would continue their endeavors for peace and prosperity in the world and the region.
The prime minister congratulated the government and the people of China on behalf of the people of Pakistan on the cultural week.
Chinese Ambassador Lou Zhaohui said that China greatly values its deep rooted friendship with Pakistan, stressing that the friendship is all weather and in all dimensions of life.
Chinese artists staged performances including Chinese acrobats, folk tune, songs and magic show. A large number of audiences witnessed the thrilling shows and showed great interest in the Chinese culture.
Earlier, the prime minister and the Chinese ambassador inaugurated a photographic exhibition to depict various stages of development and culture of China, featuring the Sino-Pak relations, a kaleidoscope of China and Chinese marital customs.
After touring around the three sections of the exhibition, Gilani left a message on the visitors’ book saying that Pakistan greatly values its friendship with China.
The China Cultural Week, jointly organized by the Pakistani Ministry of Culture and the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, is held at Pakistan National Council of the Arts.
Besides the culture show and the photographic exhibition, the China Culture Week will also showcase Chinese documentaries and other films
CULTURE OF PAKISTAN
The culture of Pakistan, has geatly been influenced before Pakistan became independent from British India in 1947. The rich and unique cultural heritage that has actively been preserved throughout history. Many cultural practices and monuments have been inherited from the rule of many foreign invaders of the region that have added their cultural traditions to the region. One of the most influenced cultures being the Mughals. However, there is one type of culture stems from the mainstream South Asian Muslim culture, which is also found in India and Bangladesh.Pakistan has a very rich cultural and traditional background going back to Indus Valley Civilization, 2800 BC–1800 BC. The region of Pakistan has been invaded in the past, occupied and settled by many different people, including Dravidians, Aryans, Greeks, White Huns, Persians, Arabs, Turks, Mongols and various Eurasian groups. There are differences in culture among the different ethnic groups in matters such as dress, food, and religion, especially where pre-Islamic customs differ from Islamic practices. The basic origin of Pakistanis however comes from the civilizations of North India and eastern Afghanistan, with significant influences from Persia, Turkestan and Hellenistic Greece.
Frere Hall - a beautiful structure built during the British Raj
Diwan-e-Khas: The hall of special audience with the emperor
Bahauddin ZakariyaThe pleasures of Pakistan are ancient: Buddhist monuments, Hindu temples, Palaces and Monuments built by Emperors, tombs, pleasure grounds and Anglo-Mogul mansions - some in a state of dereliction which makes their former grandeur more emphatic. Sculpture is dominated by Graeco-Buddhist friezes, and crafts by ceramics, jewellery, silk goods and engraved woodwork and metalwork.
Pakistani society is largely multilingual and multicultural. As a result, cultures differ so much that they may be more alien to each other than to foreign ones. However over 50 years of integration, a distinctive "Pakistani" Culture has sprung up especially in the urban areas.Religious practices of various faiths are an integral part of everyday life in society. Education is highly regarded by members of every socio-economic stratum. The traditional family values are highly respected and considered sacred, although urban families have grown into a nuclear family system, owing to the socio-economic constraints imposed by the traditional joint family system.
The past few decades have seen emergence of a middle class in cities such as Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Quetta, Faisalabad, Sukkur, Peshawar, Abbottabad and Multan. The North-western part of Pakistan, bordering with Afghanistan, is highly conservative and dominated by regional tribal customs dating back hundreds of years.
Giza Pyramid Complex
The Giza Necropolis stands on the Giza Plateau, on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt. This complex of ancient monuments, including the Great Pyramids, is located some 8 km (5 mi) inland into the desert from the old town of Giza on the Nile, some 25 km (15 mi) southwest of Cairo city centre. One of the monuments, the Great Pyramid of Giza, is the only remaining monument of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
This Ancient Egyptian necropolis consists of the Pyramid of Khufu (known as the Great Pyramid and the Pyramid of Cheops), the somewhat smaller Pyramid of Khafre (or Chephren) a few hundred meters to the south-west, and the relatively modest-size Pyramid of Menkaure (or Mykerinos) a few hundred meters further south-west, along with a number of smaller satellite edifices, known as "queens" pyramids, causeways and valley pyramids. The Great Sphinx lies on the east side of the complex, facing east. Current consensus among Egyptologists is that the head of the Great Sphinx is that of Khafre. Associated with these royal monuments are the tombs of high officials and much later burials and monuments (from the New Kingdom onwards), signifying the reverence to those buried in the necropolis.
Of the four, only Menkaure's Pyramid is seen today without any of its original polished limestone casing, with Khafre's Pyramid retaining a prominent display of casing stones at its apex, while Khufu's Pyramid maintains a more limited collection at its base. Khafre's Pyramid appears larger than the adjacent Khufu Pyramid by virtue of its more elevated location, and the steeper angle of inclination of its construction – it is, in fact, smaller in both height and volume. The most active phase of construction here was in the 25th century BC. It was popularised in Hellenistic times when the Great Pyramid was listed by Antipater of Sidon as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Today it is the only one of the ancient Wonders still in existence.This Ancient Egyptian necropolis consists of the Pyramid of Khufu (known as the Great Pyramid and the Pyramid of Cheops), the somewhat smaller Pyramid of Khafre (or Chephren) a few hundred meters to the south-west, and the relatively modest-size Pyramid of Menkaure (or Mykerinos) a few hundred meters further south-west, along with a number of smaller satellite edifices, known as "queens" pyramids, causeways and valley pyramids. The Great Sphinx lies on the east side of the complex, facing east. Current consensus among Egyptologists is that the head of the Great Sphinx is that of Khafre. Associated with these royal monuments are the tombs of high officials and much later burials and monuments (from the New Kingdom onwards), signifying the reverence to those buried in the necropolis.
Due largely to 19th-century images, the pyramids of Giza are generally thought of by foreigners as lying in a remote, desert location, even though they are located in what is now part of the most populous city in Africa In fact, urban development reaches right up to the perimeter of the antiquities site. The ancient sites in the Memphis area, including those at Giza, together with those at Saqqara, Dahshur, Abu Ruwaysh, and Abusir, were collectively declared a World Heritage Site in 1979
Petra
is an archaeological site in the Arabah, Ma'an Governorate, Jordan, lying on the slope of Mount Horin a basin among the mountains which form the eastern flank of Arabah (Wadi Araba), the large valley running from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. It is renowned for its rock-cut architecture. Petra is also one of the new wonders of the world. The Nabateans constructed it as their capital city around 100 BCE.
The site remained unknown to the Western world until 1812, when it was introduced to the West by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. It was famously described as "a rose-red city half as old as time" in a Newdigate prize-winning sonnet by John William Burgon. UNESCO has described it as "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage. In 1985, Petra was designated a World Heritage Site
History
The History of Petra begins with the Kites and cairns of gazelle hunters going back into the aceramic neolithic.clarification needed Evidence suggests that settlements had begun in and around there in the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt. It is listed in Egyptian campaign accounts and the Amarna letters as Pel, Sela or Seir). Though the city was founded relatively late, a sanctuary existed there since very ancient times. Stations 19 through 26 of the stations list of Exodus are places associated with Petra. This part of the country was biblically assigned to the Horites, the predecessors of the Edomites. The habits of the original natives may have influenced the Nabataean custom of burying the dead and offering worship in half-excavated caves. Although Petra is usually identified with Sela which also means a rock, the Biblical references refer to it as "the cleft in the rock", referring to its entrance. 2 Kings xiv. 7 seems to be more specific. In the parallel passage, however, Sela is understood to mean simply "the rock"
On the authority of Josephus Eusebius and Jerome assert that Rekem was the native name and Rekem appears in the Dead Sea scrolls as a prominent Edom site most closely describing Petra. But in the Aramaic versions Rekem is the name of Kadesh, implying that Josephus may have confused the two places.citation needed Sometimes the Aramaic versions give the form Rekem-Geya which recalls the name of the village El-ji, southeast of Petra. The capital, however, would hardly be defined by the name of a neighboring village.citation needed The Semitic name of the city, if not Sela, remains unknown. The passage in Diodorus Siculus which describes the expeditions which Antigonus sent against the Nabataeans in 312 BC is understood to throw some light upon the history of Petra,citation needed] but the "petra" referred to as a natural fortress and place of refuge cannot be a proper name and the description implies that the town was not yet in existence.[citation needed]History
The History of Petra begins with the Kites and cairns of gazelle hunters going back into the aceramic neolithic.clarification needed Evidence suggests that settlements had begun in and around there in the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt. It is listed in Egyptian campaign accounts and the Amarna letters as Pel, Sela or Seir). Though the city was founded relatively late, a sanctuary existed there since very ancient times. Stations 19 through 26 of the stations list of Exodus are places associated with Petra. This part of the country was biblically assigned to the Horites, the predecessors of the Edomites. The habits of the original natives may have influenced the Nabataean custom of burying the dead and offering worship in half-excavated caves. Although Petra is usually identified with Sela which also means a rock, the Biblical references refer to it as "the cleft in the rock", referring to its entrance. 2 Kings xiv. 7 seems to be more specific. In the parallel passage, however, Sela is understood to mean simply "the rock"
The Rekem Inscription in 1976The only place in Petra where the name "Rekem" occurs was in the rock wall of the Wadi Musa opposite the entrance to the Siq. About twenty years ago the Jordanians built a bridge over the wadi and this inscription is now buried beneath tons of concrete.
More satisfactory evidence of the date of the earliest Nabataean settlement may be obtained from an examination of the tombs. Two types may be distinguished—the Nabataean and the Greco-Roman. The Nabataean type starts from the simple pylon-tomb with a door set in a tower crowned by a parapet ornament, in imitation of the front of a dwelling-house. Then, after passing through various stages, the full Nabataean type is reached, retaining all the native features and at the same time exhibiting characteristics which are partly Egyptian and partly Greek. Of this type there exist close parallels in the tomb-towers at el-I~ejr [?] in north Arabia, which bear long Nabataean inscriptions and supply a date for the corresponding monuments at Petra. Then comes a series of tombfronts which terminate in a semicircular arch, a feature derived from north Syria. Finally come the elaborate façades copied from the front of a Roman temple; however, all traces of native style have vanished. The exact dates of the stages in this development cannot be fixed. Strangely, few inscriptions of any length have been found at Petra, perhaps because they have perished with the stucco or cement which was used upon many of the buildings. The simple pylon-tombs which belong to the pre-Hellenic age serve as evidence for the earliest period. It is not known how far back in this stage the Nabataean settlement goes, but it does not go back farther than the 6th century BC.
A period follows in which the dominant civilization combines Greek, Egyptian and Syrian elements, clearly pointing to the age of the Ptolemies. Towards the close of the 2nd century BC, when the Ptolemaic and Seleucid kingdoms were equally depressed, the Nabataean kingdom came to the front. Under Aretas III Philhellene, the royal coins begin. The theatre was probably excavated at that time, and Petra must have assumed the aspect of a Hellenistic city. In the reign of Aretas IV Philopatris, the fine tombs of the el-I ejr type may be dated, and perhaps also the great High-place.
Machu picchu
Machu Picchu is a pre-Columbian Inca site located 2,430 metres (8,000 ft) above sea level. It is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, which is 80 kilometres (50 mi) northwest of Cuzco and through which the Urubamba River flows. The river is a partially navigable headwater of the Amazon River. Often referred to as "The Lost City of the Incas", Machu Picchu is one of the most familiar symbols of the Inca Empire.
The Incas started building it around 1460 AD but was abandoned as an official site for the Inca rulers a hundred years later, at the time of the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. Although known locally, it was said who to have been forgotten for centuries when the site was brought to worldwide attention in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, an American historian. Since then, Machu Picchu has become an important tourist attraction. It has recently come to light that the site may have been discovered and plundered several years previously, in 1867 by a German businessman, Augusto Berns. In fact, there is substantial evidence that a British missionary, Thomas Payne, and a German engineer, J. M. von Hassel, arrived earlier than Hiram, and maps found by historians show references to Machu Picchu as early as 1874.Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary in 1981 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Since it was not plundered by the Spanish when they conquered the Incas, it is especially important as a cultural site and is considered a sacred place. Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls. Its primary buildings are the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows. These are located in what is known by archaeologists as the Sacred District of Machu Picchu. In September 2007, Peru and Yale University reached an agreement regarding the return of artifacts which Hiram Bingham had removed from Machu Picchu in the early twentieth century.
Great wall of Chaina
The Great long wall of 10,000 is a series of stone and earthen fortifications in China, built, rebuilt, and maintained between the 5th century BC and the 16th century to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire from Xiongnu attacks during the rule of successive dynasties. Several walls, referred to as the Great Wall of China, were built since the 5th century BC. One of the most famous is the wall built between 220–206 BC by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang; little of it remains; it was much farther north than the current wall, which was built during the Ming Dynasty.
The Great Wall stretches over approximately 6,400 km (4,000 miles) from Shanhaiguan in the east to Lop Nur in the west, along an arc that roughly delineates the southern edge of Inner Mongolia, but stretches to over 6,700 km (4,160 miles) in total. At its peak, the Ming Wall was guarded by more than one million men. It has been estimated that somewhere in the range of 2 to 3 million Chinese died as part of the centuries-long project of building the wall.
History
The Chinese were already familiar with the techniques of wall-building by the time of the Spring and Autumn Period, which began around the 8th century BC. During the Warring States Period from the 5th century BC to 221 BC, the states of Qi, Yan and Zhao all constructed extensive fortifications to defend their own borders. Built to withstand the attack of small arms such as swords and spears, these walls were made mostly by stamping earth and gravel between board frames. Qin Shi Huang conquered all opposing states and unified China in 221 BC, establishing the Qin Dynasty. Intending to impose centralized rule and prevent the resurgence of feudal lords, he ordered the destruction of the wall sections that divided his empire along the former state borders. To protect the empire against intrusions by the Xiongnu people from the north, he ordered the building of a new wall to connect the remaining fortifications along the empire's new northern frontier. Transporting the large quantity of materials required for construction was difficult, so builders always tried to use local resources. Stones from the mountains were used over mountain ranges, while rammed earth was used for construction in the plains. There are no surviving historical records indicating the exact length and course of the Qin Dynasty walls. Most of the ancient walls have eroded away over the centuries, and very few sections remain today. Later, the Han, Sui, Northern and Jin dynasties all repaired, rebuilt, or expanded sections of the Great Wall at great cost to defend themselves against northern invaders.History
The Great Wall concept was revived again during the Ming Dynasty following the Ming army's defeat by the Oirats in the Battle of Tumu in 1449. The Ming had failed to gain a clear upper-hand over the Manchurian and Mongolian tribes after successive battles, and the long-drawn conflict was taking a toll on the empire. The Ming adopted a new strategy to keep the nomadic tribes out by constructing walls along the northern border of China. Acknowledging the Mongol control established in the Ordos Desert, the wall followed the desert's southern edge instead of incorporating the bend of the Huang He.
Photograph of the Great Wall in 1907Unlike the earlier Qin fortifications, the Ming construction was stronger and more elaborate due to the use of bricks and stone instead of rammed earth. As Mongol raids continued periodically over the years, the Ming devoted considerable resources to repair and reinforce the walls. Sections near the Ming capital of Beijing were especially strong.
During 1440s-1460s, the Ming also built a so-called "Liaodong Wall". Similar in function to the Great Wall (whose extension it, in a sense, was), but more basic in construction, the Liaodong Wall enclosed theagricultural heartland of the Liaodong province, protecting it potential incursions by Jurched-Mongol Oriyanghan from the northwest and the Jianzhou Jurchens from the north. While stones and tiles were used in some parts of the Liaodong Wall, most of it was in fact simply an earth dike with moats on both sides.
Towards the end of the Ming Dynasty, the Great Wall helped defend the empire against the Manchu invasions that began around 1600. Under the military command of Yuan Chonghuan, the Ming army held off the Manchus at the heavily fortified Shanhaiguan pass, preventing the Manchus from entering the Chinese heartland. The Manchus were finally able to cross the Great Wall in 1644, when the gates at Shanhaiguan were opened by Wu Sangui, a Ming border general who disliked the activities of rulers of the Shun Dynasty. The Manchus quickly seized Beijing, and defeated the newly founded Shun Dynasty and remaining Ming resistance, to establish the Qing Dynasty.
Under Qing rule, China's borders extended beyond the walls and Mongolia was annexed into the empire, so construction and repairs on the Great Wall were discontinued.
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
The Taj Mahal is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Ottoman, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles. In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was cited as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage."While the white domed marble mausoleum is its most familiar component, the Taj Mahal is actually an integrated complex of structures. Building began around 1632 and was completed around 1653, and employed thousands of artisans and craftsmen. The Persian architect, Ustad Ahmad Lahauri is generally considered to be the principal designer of the Taj Mahal.
History
Soon after the Taj Mahal's completion, Shah Jahan was deposed by his son Aurangzeb and put under house arrest at nearby Agra Fort. Upon Shah Jahan's death, Aurangzeb buried him in the Taj Mahal next to his wife.
By the late 19th century, parts of the Taj Mahal had fallen badly into disrepair. During the time of the Indian rebellion of 1857, the Taj Mahal was defaced by British soldiers and government officials, who chiseled out precious stones and lapis lazuli from its walls. At the end of 19th century British viceroy Lord Curzon ordered a massive restoration project, which was completed in 1908 He also commissioned the large lamp in the interior chamber, modeled after one in a Cairo mosque. During this time the garden was remodeled with British-looking lawns that are visible today.History
Soon after the Taj Mahal's completion, Shah Jahan was deposed by his son Aurangzeb and put under house arrest at nearby Agra Fort. Upon Shah Jahan's death, Aurangzeb buried him in the Taj Mahal next to his wife.
In 1942, the government erected a scaffolding in anticipation of an air attack by German Luftwaffe and later by Japanese Air Force. During the India-Pakistan wars of 1965 and 1971, scaffoldings were again erected to mislead bomber pilots. Its recent threats have come from environmental pollution on the banks of Yamuna River including acid rain due to the Mathura oil refinery, which was opposed by Supreme Court of India directives. The pollution has been turning the Taj Mahal yellow. To help control the pollution, the Indian government has set up the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ), a 10,400 square kilometer (6462.26 square mile) area around the monument where strict emissions standards are in place. In 1983, the Taj Mahal was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Colosseum
The Colosseum or Roman Coliseum, originally the Flavian Amphitheatre (Latin: Amphitheatrum Flavium, Italian Anfiteatro Flavio or Colosseo), is an elliptical amphitheatre in the center of the city of Rome, Italy, the largest ever built in the Roman Empire. It is one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and Roman engineering. Occupying a site just east of the Roman Forum, its construction started between 70 and 72 AD under the emperor Vespasian and was completed in 80 AD under Titus, with further modifications being made during Domitian's reign (81–96). The name "Amphitheatrum Flavium" derives from both Vespasian's and Titus's family name (Flavius, from the gens Flavia).
Capable of seating 50,000 spectators, the Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles. As well as the gladiatorial games, other public spectacles were held there, such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.
It has been estimated that about 500,000 people and over a million wild animals died in the Colosseum games.
Although in the 21st century it stays partially ruined due to damage caused by devastating earthquakes and stone-robbers, the Colosseum is an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome and its breakthrough achievements in earthquake engineering. It is one of Rome's most popular tourist attractions and still has close connections with the Roman Catholic Church, as each Good Friday the Pope leads a torchlit "Way of the Cross" procession to the amphitheatre.
The Colosseum is also depicted on the Italian version of the five-cent euro coin.
Capable of seating 50,000 spectators, the Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles. As well as the gladiatorial games, other public spectacles were held there, such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.
It has been estimated that about 500,000 people and over a million wild animals died in the Colosseum games.
Although in the 21st century it stays partially ruined due to damage caused by devastating earthquakes and stone-robbers, the Colosseum is an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome and its breakthrough achievements in earthquake engineering. It is one of Rome's most popular tourist attractions and still has close connections with the Roman Catholic Church, as each Good Friday the Pope leads a torchlit "Way of the Cross" procession to the amphitheatre.
The Colosseum is also depicted on the Italian version of the five-cent euro coin.
Chichen ltza
Chichen Itza is a large pre-Columbian archaeological site built by the Maya civilization located in the northern center of the Yucatán Peninsula, in the Yucatán state, present-day Mexico.
Chichen Itza was a major regional focal point in the northern Maya lowlands from the Late Classic through the Terminal Classic and into the early portion of the Early Postclassic period. The site exhibits a multitude of architectural styles, from what is called “Mexicanized” and reminiscent of styles seen in central Mexico to the Puuc style found among the Puuc Maya of the northern lowlands. The presence of central Mexican styles was once thought to have been representative of direct migration or even conquest from central Mexico, but most contemporary interpretations view the presence of these non-Maya styles more as the result of cultural diffusion.
History
Northern Yucatán is arid, and the interior has no above-ground rivers. There are two large, natural sink holes, called cenotes, that could have provided plentiful water year round at Chichen, making it attractive for settlement. Of the two cenotes, the "Cenote Sagrado" or Sacred Cenote (also variously known as the Sacred Well or Well of Sacrifice), is the more famous. According to post-Conquest sources (Maya and Spanish), pre-Columbian Maya sacrificed objects and human beings into the cenote as a form of worship to the Maya rain god Chaac. Edward Herbert Thompson dredged the Cenote Sagrado from 1904 to 1910, and recovered artifacts of gold, jade, pottery, and incense, as well as human remains. A recent study of human remains taken from the Cenote Sagrado found that they had wounds consistent with human sacrifice.
History
Northern Yucatán is arid, and the interior has no above-ground rivers. There are two large, natural sink holes, called cenotes, that could have provided plentiful water year round at Chichen, making it attractive for settlement. Of the two cenotes, the "Cenote Sagrado" or Sacred Cenote (also variously known as the Sacred Well or Well of Sacrifice), is the more famous. According to post-Conquest sources (Maya and Spanish), pre-Columbian Maya sacrificed objects and human beings into the cenote as a form of worship to the Maya rain god Chaac. Edward Herbert Thompson dredged the Cenote Sagrado from 1904 to 1910, and recovered artifacts of gold, jade, pottery, and incense, as well as human remains. A recent study of human remains taken from the Cenote Sagrado found that they had wounds consistent with human sacrifice.
Love in a garden
دواړه شونډې کړه په بيار ته
در ريزي وکړه خپل يار ته
زه چې ستا و مخ ته گورم
زړه مې نه کېږي گلزار ته
گل له شرمه خولې پرېږدي
چې نظر کا ستا رخسار ته
که مې وار درباندې جوړ شي
منتظر يم و خپل وار ته
گله دا درباندې ښايي
چې ځير ځير گورې و خار ته
آئينې وته نظر کړه
که دې مينه شي بهار ته
زار و چاته کړې خوشحاله
چې دې نه گوري څوک زار ته
در ريزي وکړه خپل يار ته
زه چې ستا و مخ ته گورم
زړه مې نه کېږي گلزار ته
گل له شرمه خولې پرېږدي
چې نظر کا ستا رخسار ته
که مې وار درباندې جوړ شي
منتظر يم و خپل وار ته
گله دا درباندې ښايي
چې ځير ځير گورې و خار ته
آئينې وته نظر کړه
که دې مينه شي بهار ته
زار و چاته کړې خوشحاله
چې دې نه گوري څوک زار ته
rahman baba
عالمان دي روښنايي ددې دنيا
عالمان دي د تمام جهان پېشوکه څوک لار غواړي و خداى ته و رسول ته
عالمان دي ددې لارې رهنماکيمياگر که د کيميا په طلب گرځي
همدمي د عالمانو ده کيمياپه مجلس د عالمانو به سرۀ زر شي
که څوک کاڼى وي که لُوټه د صحراجاهلان دي په مثال د مرده گانو
عالمان دي په مثال د مسيحاچې مرده يې له نفسه ژوندي کېږي
عالمان دي واړه هسې اوليا
هر سړى چې رتبه نۀ لري د علم
سړى نۀ دى خالي نقش دى گويا
زه رحمان حلقه بگوش د هر عالم يم
که اعلٰى دى که اوسط دى که ادنىٰ
عالمان دي د تمام جهان پېشوکه څوک لار غواړي و خداى ته و رسول ته
عالمان دي ددې لارې رهنماکيمياگر که د کيميا په طلب گرځي
همدمي د عالمانو ده کيمياپه مجلس د عالمانو به سرۀ زر شي
که څوک کاڼى وي که لُوټه د صحراجاهلان دي په مثال د مرده گانو
عالمان دي په مثال د مسيحاچې مرده يې له نفسه ژوندي کېږي
عالمان دي واړه هسې اوليا
هر سړى چې رتبه نۀ لري د علم
سړى نۀ دى خالي نقش دى گويا
زه رحمان حلقه بگوش د هر عالم يم
که اعلٰى دى که اوسط دى که ادنىٰ
rahman baba
عالمان دي روښنايي ددې دنيا
عالمان دي د تمام جهان پېشوا
Lights in the world are those, who know,
Guides of mankind are those, who know
که څوک لار غواړي و خداى ته و رسول ته
عالمان دي ددې لارې رهنما
When looking for the road to God
And prophet, ask from those, who know
کيمياگر که د کيميا په طلب گرځي
همدمي د عالمانو ده کيميا
The alchemist in his research
Finds sympathy with those, who know
په مجلس د عالمانو به سرۀ زر شي
که څوک کاڼى وي که لُوټه د صحرا
A desert stone will turn to gold
In company with those, who know
جاهلان دي په مثال د مرده گانو
عالمان دي په مثال د مسيحا
An ignorant is like a corpse,
Like Jesus Christ are those, who know
چې مرده يې له نفسه ژوندي کېږي
عالمان دي واړه هسې اوليا
For by His breath the dead arose,
The saintly breath of those, who know
هر سړى چې رتبه نۀ لري د علم
سړى نۀ دى خالي نقش دى گويا
Those are not humans, only shells,
The empty ones, who do not know
زه رحمان حلقه بگوش د هر عالم يم
که اعلٰى دى که اوسط دى که ادنىٰ
No matter to which low degree,
REHMAN will serve the ones, who know
عالمان دي د تمام جهان پېشوا
Lights in the world are those, who know,
Guides of mankind are those, who know
که څوک لار غواړي و خداى ته و رسول ته
عالمان دي ددې لارې رهنما
When looking for the road to God
And prophet, ask from those, who know
کيمياگر که د کيميا په طلب گرځي
همدمي د عالمانو ده کيميا
The alchemist in his research
Finds sympathy with those, who know
په مجلس د عالمانو به سرۀ زر شي
که څوک کاڼى وي که لُوټه د صحرا
A desert stone will turn to gold
In company with those, who know
جاهلان دي په مثال د مرده گانو
عالمان دي په مثال د مسيحا
An ignorant is like a corpse,
Like Jesus Christ are those, who know
چې مرده يې له نفسه ژوندي کېږي
عالمان دي واړه هسې اوليا
For by His breath the dead arose,
The saintly breath of those, who know
هر سړى چې رتبه نۀ لري د علم
سړى نۀ دى خالي نقش دى گويا
Those are not humans, only shells,
The empty ones, who do not know
زه رحمان حلقه بگوش د هر عالم يم
که اعلٰى دى که اوسط دى که ادنىٰ
No matter to which low degree,
REHMAN will serve the ones, who know
Rahman Baba
Rahman Baba
Rahman Baba MomandRAHMAN BABA
Researched By: Kabir Momand of Sabawoon
Afghanland.com: At the dawn of seventeenth century, at the age of invasions from the West by Persians and East by Moghols, at the time when Afghans were in the mist of war in every corner of the nation, a the time when education was the last thing in peoples' mind, a legend was born.
In the high hills of the Afghan nation, in the provincial area of Momand, a child was born, by the name of Abdul Rahman. Abdul Rahman Momand would become one of the greatest poets in the history of the Pashto literature. Abdul Rahman was a man of character and great charisma. As a child, he loved to study and always occupied himself in getting a good education, no matter what it took. He spent much time and effort trying to teach himself.
At a young age, he started studying and reading poetry and became fond of it. He had a gift, poetry, which he would not realize, until later in his life. As he grew older, he started having doubts upon what he was doing, which was studying and writing poetry. He felt lost and not sure about what he was writing, why he was writing and to whom he was writing. Because of this, he entirely abandoned material needs of this world and gave himself to the mercy of God.
The spiritual aspect of God's presents upon him, made him understand that the true way of life was through his religion, Islam. Living a life in solitude, he did not want anyone bothering him when he prayed to God. He had a unique and creative way of praying to God through the gift he had, poetry. He had a deep passion for God, which resulted in writing numerous poems in His honor. Through the understanding of his religion, he wrote magnificent poems, which made him famous in a short period of time.
People admired his work, from Afghanistan to Central Asia to the Indian Subcontinent. Religious scholars found the real meaning of life in his poems. National and political leaders used his poetry for independent uprisings. Musicians used his poetry in their songs. Soon everyone wanted his books, be it for political, religious or other interests and desires. Due to his popularity, Afghans gave him an honorable name "Baba" (Grand father of the nation).
One of the great religious scholar of Suwat, Pashtoonistan, Suwat Saheeb, said:
"If any other then, the book of God, was permissible for prayer, I would have defiantly chosen Rahman's book."
Rahman Baba published two books from his collections of poetry, which were distributed all over the Afghan nation. Soon his work became a model for new poets, and as a result, many people started learning his way and his direction. A school of poetry was built in his honor and many people came to study in these schools. The Founding Father of Afghanistan, Ahmad Shah Baba, was one of the students of his school of poetry.
Shakespeare has mentioned that philosophers, poets and insane people are of one nature. A person cannot become one of these just by trying, but they are born that way and they have no choice other then to live by the nature of their life.
After looking through Rahman Baba's poetry, one comes to the conclusion that this great poet was born a poet and had brought the gift of poetry with him from eternal life. Readers will not understand his poetry unless they feel that what their reading is indeed their own thoughts. This might be hard to comprehend but poetry was never meant to be easy. When one opens Rahman Baba's book, they immediately realize that their heart is speaking to them. A reader might wonder how a book written more then four hundred years ago would have their feeling and thoughts of today. It seem as if Rahman Baba's books were written for today's need of literature and one can be sure, that is the case.
Rahman Baba has written difficult poetry in such a unique way that one can immediately grasp the meaning. He has put comprehensive subject into a very layman term. Rahman Baba wanted to teach Afghans and, through Afghans, the whole world the real meaning of life through the love and magnificence of God. He fought against humans' greediness and mischief and promptly explains this devilish worship in most of his poems.
Louis Dupree, in his book "Afghanistan", pointed out to Rahman Baba's teaching: "Rahman Baba was a mystic then warrior. But his mysticism, born of Sufism, also touches the Pashtun cultural essence. Not so proud and fiercely militant as Khoshal Khan Khatak, Rahman Baba continually warned the ambitious and proud of their base earthly origin."
Rahman Baba himself explain here:
Live not with thy head showing in the clouds,
Thou art by birth the offspring of this earth,
The stream that passed the sluice cannot again flow back,
Nor can again return the misspent time that sped,
Consider well the deeds of the good and bad,
Whether in this thy profit lieth or in that
Rahman Baba loved music and dancing. He specially loved to play the Rabab (Afghan Lute) By loving beauty of every kind, no matter if it was a human, an animal, or nature, he would describe the eternal beauty of God as a final stage. Considering the beauty here on earth as merely small portion of the beauty to come, he always focused on eternal greatness and beauty, which to him was his love, God.
Dr. Abdul Hay Habibi PHD, a great scholar of Afghanistan, described Rahman Baba's poetic structure in these terms. He stated the following:
In this structure a poet accepts eternal believes, which are completely dislodged with this world, and are speaking of a world, great and wonderful, with all its greatness.
Poets are away from all the misery of this world and are speaking of peace and humanity, and are usually away from all the troubles of this world.
Feelings and presentation of this structure are pure and wonderful, and the words chosen are simple and to the point.
All types of poetry speak of pure love and morals. Believe in the true love and avoid evil and use fantasy is a common theme.
Poets believe in love being the center of human life, which depends on intellectual wisdom.
Rahman Baba's poetry is still a great value to Pashto literature and still there are numerous student of his structure today. His fans and students of his school come to his graveside in Peshawar Pashtoonistan to remember him on his birth date each year. Poets from all over come to honor him in this special occasion by reciting poems and speeches on his honor, and this will continue for ages. '
Rahman Baba MomandRAHMAN BABA
Researched By: Kabir Momand of Sabawoon
Afghanland.com: At the dawn of seventeenth century, at the age of invasions from the West by Persians and East by Moghols, at the time when Afghans were in the mist of war in every corner of the nation, a the time when education was the last thing in peoples' mind, a legend was born.
In the high hills of the Afghan nation, in the provincial area of Momand, a child was born, by the name of Abdul Rahman. Abdul Rahman Momand would become one of the greatest poets in the history of the Pashto literature. Abdul Rahman was a man of character and great charisma. As a child, he loved to study and always occupied himself in getting a good education, no matter what it took. He spent much time and effort trying to teach himself.
At a young age, he started studying and reading poetry and became fond of it. He had a gift, poetry, which he would not realize, until later in his life. As he grew older, he started having doubts upon what he was doing, which was studying and writing poetry. He felt lost and not sure about what he was writing, why he was writing and to whom he was writing. Because of this, he entirely abandoned material needs of this world and gave himself to the mercy of God.
The spiritual aspect of God's presents upon him, made him understand that the true way of life was through his religion, Islam. Living a life in solitude, he did not want anyone bothering him when he prayed to God. He had a unique and creative way of praying to God through the gift he had, poetry. He had a deep passion for God, which resulted in writing numerous poems in His honor. Through the understanding of his religion, he wrote magnificent poems, which made him famous in a short period of time.
People admired his work, from Afghanistan to Central Asia to the Indian Subcontinent. Religious scholars found the real meaning of life in his poems. National and political leaders used his poetry for independent uprisings. Musicians used his poetry in their songs. Soon everyone wanted his books, be it for political, religious or other interests and desires. Due to his popularity, Afghans gave him an honorable name "Baba" (Grand father of the nation).
One of the great religious scholar of Suwat, Pashtoonistan, Suwat Saheeb, said:
"If any other then, the book of God, was permissible for prayer, I would have defiantly chosen Rahman's book."
Rahman Baba published two books from his collections of poetry, which were distributed all over the Afghan nation. Soon his work became a model for new poets, and as a result, many people started learning his way and his direction. A school of poetry was built in his honor and many people came to study in these schools. The Founding Father of Afghanistan, Ahmad Shah Baba, was one of the students of his school of poetry.
Shakespeare has mentioned that philosophers, poets and insane people are of one nature. A person cannot become one of these just by trying, but they are born that way and they have no choice other then to live by the nature of their life.
After looking through Rahman Baba's poetry, one comes to the conclusion that this great poet was born a poet and had brought the gift of poetry with him from eternal life. Readers will not understand his poetry unless they feel that what their reading is indeed their own thoughts. This might be hard to comprehend but poetry was never meant to be easy. When one opens Rahman Baba's book, they immediately realize that their heart is speaking to them. A reader might wonder how a book written more then four hundred years ago would have their feeling and thoughts of today. It seem as if Rahman Baba's books were written for today's need of literature and one can be sure, that is the case.
Rahman Baba has written difficult poetry in such a unique way that one can immediately grasp the meaning. He has put comprehensive subject into a very layman term. Rahman Baba wanted to teach Afghans and, through Afghans, the whole world the real meaning of life through the love and magnificence of God. He fought against humans' greediness and mischief and promptly explains this devilish worship in most of his poems.
Louis Dupree, in his book "Afghanistan", pointed out to Rahman Baba's teaching: "Rahman Baba was a mystic then warrior. But his mysticism, born of Sufism, also touches the Pashtun cultural essence. Not so proud and fiercely militant as Khoshal Khan Khatak, Rahman Baba continually warned the ambitious and proud of their base earthly origin."
Rahman Baba himself explain here:
Live not with thy head showing in the clouds,
Thou art by birth the offspring of this earth,
The stream that passed the sluice cannot again flow back,
Nor can again return the misspent time that sped,
Consider well the deeds of the good and bad,
Whether in this thy profit lieth or in that
Rahman Baba loved music and dancing. He specially loved to play the Rabab (Afghan Lute) By loving beauty of every kind, no matter if it was a human, an animal, or nature, he would describe the eternal beauty of God as a final stage. Considering the beauty here on earth as merely small portion of the beauty to come, he always focused on eternal greatness and beauty, which to him was his love, God.
Dr. Abdul Hay Habibi PHD, a great scholar of Afghanistan, described Rahman Baba's poetic structure in these terms. He stated the following:
In this structure a poet accepts eternal believes, which are completely dislodged with this world, and are speaking of a world, great and wonderful, with all its greatness.
Poets are away from all the misery of this world and are speaking of peace and humanity, and are usually away from all the troubles of this world.
Feelings and presentation of this structure are pure and wonderful, and the words chosen are simple and to the point.
All types of poetry speak of pure love and morals. Believe in the true love and avoid evil and use fantasy is a common theme.
Poets believe in love being the center of human life, which depends on intellectual wisdom.
Rahman Baba's poetry is still a great value to Pashto literature and still there are numerous student of his structure today. His fans and students of his school come to his graveside in Peshawar Pashtoonistan to remember him on his birth date each year. Poets from all over come to honor him in this special occasion by reciting poems and speeches on his honor, and this will continue for ages. '
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