"Nazo Ana"

Nazo Ana, who was born in 1061 H.(1651 A.D.)was a remarkable Pashtun lady famed for her intellect, bravery and kindness. She is best remembered for being the mother of the great Pashtun leader,Mirwais Khan Hotaki, but Nazo Ana was also a gifted poet. Her quatrain below is an example of a Pashtun's deep love of nature and their sharp eye for detail:

"At dawn the narcissus petals were wet,
Like tears, flowed each crystalline droplet.
Why do you cry thus, O pretty flower? I asked:
"My life is just a fleeting smile", replied the floret."

Nazo Ana

"A Pashtun Warrior's Farewell" by anonymous

I first read this beautiful poem years ago and was unable to forget it. Recently I found it again in an old out of print book titled The Golden Pomegranate: A selection from the poetry of the Mogul Empire in India 1526-1858 translated into English verse by John Charles Edward Bowen. Though only three of the poems in his book were written by Pashtuns, Mr. Bowen has a special place in his heart for Pashtuns and dedicated his book with these words:

MOST OF THE TRANSLATIONS
WERE MADE WHILE SERVING THE
PEOPLE OF THE NORTH-WEST FRONTIER
IT IS TO THEM I DEDICATE THIS BOOK

This short simple poem by an anonymous author that he found and translated, eloquently embodies the bravery of a Pashtun warrior.

"A Pashtun Warrior's Farewell"

Beloved, on a parchment white
With my heart's blood to thee I write;
My pen a dagger, sharp and clean,
Inlaid with golden damascene,
Which I have used, and not in vain,
To keep my honour free from stain.

Now, when our house it's mourning wears,
Do not thyself give way to tears:
Instruct or eldest son that I
Was ever anxious thus to die,
For when death comes the brave are free-
So in thy dreams remember me.

Anonymous

A beautiful sword inlaid with damascene.
Damascene means: metalwork decorated with wavy patterns of inlay or etching.