Qabze Zaman

This short novel is a fine example of Urdu storytelling. It depicts the diverse social, cultural, and political climates of the 21st, 16th, and 18th centuries, and is set in the language of their times. Farooqi Sahib is one of the master writers of this art. He possesses a remarkable knack for storytelling. The central theme of this novel is the story of a soldier from Delhi, whose home was in a village near Jaipur, who arranged for his daughters wedding and set out for his home, but was robbed by bandits on the way. Arriving empty-handed in Jaipur, he heard from people that a generous courtesan lived there who could help. The soldier borrowed three hundred rupees from her and went to marry his daughter. When he returned to repay the loan, he discovered that the courtesan had passed away and had no heirs to repay the money. Thinking he would recite the Fatiha at the grave of the deceased, when he arrived, he saw that the grave was torn open, and a door appeared to lead somewhere. He went inside and met the courtesan in a palace. He tried to return his money, but the courtesan turned him out, saying, This place is not for you. Outside the palace lay a field and gardens. He wandered there for about three hours, and when he emerged, he realized that three hundred years had passed. This novel provides a fascinating account of the worlds of these two times, each in its own unique way. Because this entire story is narrated by a man from the twenty-first century, our time is also reflected in it. Thus, this short novel encompasses three significant eras... It seems that Allah Taala shortens even a long period for one of His people, while it remains long for others. This novel, which brilliantly depicts various periods from the present to the past, is a classic tale of storytelling. The novelist has not only brought to life the times of the Tughlaqs and Mughals, but has also captured the nuances of that eras language that are difficult to find elsewhere. It is not just a story, but an entire civilization, part of the foundation of India, that breathes within.