There was a time when poets, historians, artists, musicians and architects sought royal and aristocratic patronage for their survival. Rulers wanted the best minds of their realm to be a part of their court. Mehmud of Ghazni (r.998-1002) for instance persuaded famous scholars to come to court in order to add to its prestige. He lured Firdausi (d.1020) and Al Biruni (d.1048) but failed to attract Bu Ali Sina (d.1037) to come into his patronage. Muhammad Habib, author of the book Mehmud of Ghazni, called him the kidnapper of poets and historians because whenever he heard about a famous scholar, he ordered the rulers, under whose services they were to send them to his court.

Akbar (r.1556-1605) followed the same policy and patronised all kinds of intellectuals, generously rewarding them for their services. Poets and historians from Central Asia and Iran arrived to the Mughal court in the hope of getting Mughal patronage for their creative activities and arts. As long as the Mughal courts could afforded the large number of poets, artists, historians and musicians, they contributed vastly to art and literature. However, when the Mughal dynasty declined and its resources dwindled, poets and historians wandered from one place to another throughout India, in search of patronage. The successive states of Awad and Dakan became the centres of attraction, where rulers patronised scholars and took care of their finances.

The result of this patronage was that literature and art became heavily influenced by court culture. Flattery and sycophancy dominated the creativity of the writers. Historians narrated only the achievements of the rulers and cloaked their crimes and oppressive acts. The poets composed panegyric poems for their patrons and attributed their achievements to the likes of the legendry Persian heroes Rustam and Sohrab. They addressed them as conquerors of the world, projecting them to be as just and fair as Anushervan of Persia. The objective of their poetry, short stories and legends was to entertain the patron and they would use their talents for personal gains. Similarly, artists painted not to express their own ideas but to fulfil the desires of rulers. For instance, following Akbar’s orders, Babarnama, Akbarnama and Dastan-i-Amir Hamza were illustrated.

Art and culture polish a society’s rough edges

The writers and artists who enjoyed the king’s patronage were not always free to express their original ideas. There are some instances where scholars, who did not enjoy royal patronage, defied the royal authority and criticised the rulers for their misbehaviour towards them. It is said that after not getting the promised amount for writing Shahnama from Mehmud of Ghazni, Firdausi wrote a satirical poem which became very popular. According to Mehmood Sherani, the poem was not by Firdosi but was written by some other poet and attributed to his name. However, it was a matter of courage to condemn and criticise the most powerful ruler of his time. Farrukh Siyar (r.1713 and 1719), wrongfully ordered the execution of the Mughal poet Jafar Zattalli, for composing satirical poems that may have indirectly objected his regime.

In Europe, too, writers and intellectuals sought patronage for their survival. Thomas Hobbes (d.1679), Adam Smith (d.1790) and Goethe (d.1832) were among those who served aristocratic patrons. The change occurred in Europe after the invention of the printing press when publishing houses started to publish all types of books. The rate of literacy increased in the European society and throughout Europe bookshops appeared. Public and universities set up libraries where books were purchased for readers and students. Publishers paid royalty to the authors, as a result of which authors whose books became bestsellers, earned a lot of money.

The French writer Voltair (d.1778) became so rich by selling his books that he purchased an estate on the borders of Switzerland and France, where he lived a comfortable life. Walter Scott (d.1832), whose historical novels became very popular, purchased a castle in Scotland and lived a luxurious life. Babington Macaulay’s (d.1859), book History of England, published several times over and became a bestseller in England and America. His publisher paid him 5,000 pounds as royalty which was a huge amount at the time. Therefore European intellectuals, artists, musicians and historians were liberated from royal and aristocratic patronage and instead relied on public who would purchase their writings because they admired their talents.

In the Western society, several public institutes were established for the promotion of literature and art and every year best authors and artists were awarded in recognition of their work. Therefore intellectuals turned their attention from royalty to public, a change which influenced social and cultural development in their society.

In case of Pakistan, writers and intellectuals are neither patronised by any institution, nor supported by the society due to poor literacy. They face financial problems due to non-payment of royalty, while there is no tradition of full time professional writers. We do not produce great literature, art or music. Poverty of culture affects the behaviour and mentality of the society. Instead of refinement and softness, our society has become rough and barbaric.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, November 8th, 2015

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