Alisher Navoi: A great poet synonymous with his homeland

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Alisher Navoi stands as an extraordinary literary figure whose legacy has profoundly shaped the art of poetry, elevating it to an unparalleled level of excellence. Through his works, we gain insight into the achievements of civilisation, historical personalities, and the intricate dimensions of human emotions and spirituality. His masterpieces, painted on vast literary canvases with the highest artistry and skill, solidify his place not only as a celebrated poet of his time but also as a global literary icon.

A Legacy That Endures Through Centuries

The fascination with Alisher Navoi’s literary heritage has persisted from his own era to the present day. His contemporaries, such as Abdurahman Jami, Khondamir, Davlatshah Samarkandi, and Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur, have left invaluable records that serve as significant sources for studying the life and works of this great poet and statesman. Manuscripts of Navoi’s works were compiled during his lifetime by both his admirers and esteemed scribes of the period.

These priceless manuscripts are now scattered across the world. Turkish scholars such as M.F. Köprülü, K. Ercilasun, and V. Türk have emphasised that Navoi’s ghazals were translated into Turkish during his lifetime, influencing Ottoman poetry and marking a new era in Turkish literature.

The Second Eastern Renaissance, a period of profound transformation, prompted Western Enlightenment thinkers to shift their focus from nature to humanity. Unlike their European counterparts, Eastern philosophers linked reality with spirituality, concentrating on the inner world of human beings. They viewed the human heart and spirit as reflections of the greater cosmos, leading to a complete renewal of poetic genres, forms, styles, rhythms, and artistic expression. This period saw the development of the aruz system of versification, a pinnacle of Turkic poetic thought, with Navoi’s contributions being immeasurable.

The Russian orientalist Viktor Zhirmunsky compared Navoi’s era to the European Renaissance, particularly the works of the French poet and scholar Joachim du Bellay, who also sought to elevate the status of his native language. Zhirmunsky concluded that “Navoi, a master of Persian and an author of exquisite Persian poetry, became the founder of great literature in his mother tongue.” Another distinguished orientalist, Nikolai Konrad, referred to Navoi as “a universal achievement of world culture.”

Modern scholars have expanded the scope of Navoi studies, particularly in Uzbekistan, where literary and academic interest has surged. Academician Shukhrat Sirojiddinov’s monograph on Navoi has been published in Uzbek, Azerbaijani, Turkish, and English. Olim Davlatov’s research has been translated into Kyrgyz and Turkish. The works of Uzbek scholars such as Bokijon Tukhliev, Yusuf Tursunov, Nurboy Jabborov, Bibirobiya Radjabova, and Kodirjon Ergashov, as well as the publication of a 30-volume collection on “Uzbek Navoi Studies in the Independence Era” and a four-volume “Encyclopaedia of Alisher Navoi,” mark a new chapter in Navoi scholarship.

The “Golden Crown” of Turkic Civilisation

Unlike many historical figures whose works are confined to their own time, Navoi’s literary contributions remain as relevant today as they were six centuries ago. His legacy, like an endless ocean, continues to reveal new depths upon each reading.

Figures such as Alisher Navoi do not emerge in isolation. In the 14th century, Amir Timur’s empire encompassed vast territories and established extensive trade relations. Importantly, socio-economic reforms were intricately linked with literature, art, and culture. The achievements of the Timurid era in architecture, music, fine arts, and crafts gained international recognition.

The Spanish envoy Ruy González de Clavijo, who visited Samarkand during Amir Timur’s reign, described the city as a thriving hub of commerce and culture, where goods from China, India, and other distant lands were traded. His accounts portray Samarkand as one of the world’s leading capitals of the time. Other cities within the empire were also centres of civilisation and learning. Scholars note that in Navoi’s era, the city of Herat alone housed numerous prominent madrasahs, along with grand libraries such as those of Mirza Shah Rukh, Baysunghur Mirza, and Husayn Bayqara. Navoi himself established a library, known as Safid, and contributed to the construction of medical institutions, including a hospital.

Navoi’s phenomenon is undoubtedly the “golden crown” of the intellectual and artistic flourishing of the Timurid Empire and Turkic civilisation. To fully appreciate Navoi’s legacy, one must consider the historical and cultural context in which he lived. His genius was shaped by the intellectual, artistic, and spiritual vibrancy of his era.

Raising the Banner of the Native Language

Alisher Navoi witnessed the decline of the empire that had reached its zenith under Amir Timur. He firmly believed that language, literature, and enlightenment could shield his people from ignorance and decline. To Navoi, language was the soul of a nation, its wings, and its means of survival.

In his treatise Muhakamat al-Lughatayn (The Comparison of Two Languages), Navoi made a monumental contribution to linguistics by comparing the Turkic and Persian languages. As a gifted linguist and thinker, he meticulously prepared for this work, demonstrating the richness of the Turkic language while possessing an exceptional command of Persian and Arabic.

Navoi highlighted the depth and intricacy of Turkic vocabulary, particularly in areas such as craftsmanship, equestrian terminology, agriculture, cuisine, and hunting. He was meticulous in illustrating the linguistic nuances and scientific underpinnings of his arguments.

Navoi was neither arrogant nor boastful, yet his unwavering faith in his native language is evident in his writings. He revolutionised not only literary genres and linguistics but also the very consciousness and way of thinking of his people. At a time when Persian dominated poetry, politics, and official documents, Navoi courageously championed the Turkic language, seeking to unify Turkic-speaking peoples and affirm their cultural uniqueness. His literary achievements in his mother tongue stand as a testament to his remarkable vision and bravery.

Reaching for the Legacy of a Genius

It is impossible to fully grasp Navoi’s works without understanding Islamic culture and philosophy. Yet his legacy extends beyond these realms. Drawing from his faith, he synthesised universal literary and philosophical ideas, demonstrating that human thought transcends cultural boundaries and is deeply rooted in ancient wisdom.

Navoi was not merely a poet of his time but also a philosopher, historian, linguist, and true intellectual. His ideas and reflections continue to resonate today, offering insights into the human condition and inspiring future generations. Perhaps humanity has yet to reach the heights of thought and artistry achieved by Navoi. Each new generation must strive to engage with his legacy, understand it, and make it their own, for his insights into the human heart and spirit remain eternally relevant.

Alisher Navoi is not just a literary figure but a symbol of his homeland. As one scholar aptly put it, he is “the capital of Turkic literature.” His works are not merely artistic and philosophical masterpieces; they form a spiritual and intellectual treasury that strengthens our minds, unites nations, and enriches humanity as a whole.

Guest author:

Jabbor Eshonkulov
Director of the State Literary Museum of Alisher Navoi
Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor