The Minqar-i Musiqar: Hazrat Inayat Khan's Classic 1912 Work on Indian Musical Theory and Practice

THE Minqār-i Mūsīqār is of rare interest both for its contents and for its distinguished author,

Hazrat Inayat Khan. Its sections on theory are based on the teachings of the author’s grandfather,

Maula Bakhsh, and other late nineteenth century sources. The songs at the center of the book are

the author’s own compositions, and the poetry collection includes more than sixty choice Urdu

and Persian ghazals. Overall the book communicates the musical learning and enthusiasms of

Inayat Khan, whose personal drive, ambition to engage with the wider world, and longing for

the divine are palpable throughout the book.

In the Minqār-i Mūsīqār Inayat Khan has given us a compilation of theory and practice cur-

rent during his time and taught in his family line. Readers familiar with present-day Hindustani

music will find many recognizable terms and some that are no longer in use. As valuable as it is

for its musical content, the Minqār is equally fascinating for what it tells us about the writer and

the times in which it was written.