Book is a Relationship
Arab Geographers’ Knowledge of Southern India / Book History
A Chance Encounter
In 2007, Other Books ventured into publishing, in collaboration with the Kuala Lumpur based Islamic Publishing Trust (IBT), by bringing out the English translation of Tuhfat al-Mujahidin. This historical treatise, written in the 16th century by Sheikh Zainuddin Makhdoom II, is considered as the first authentic historical account of Kerala, which deals with the struggles of Malabar Muslims against the invading Portuguese. Though there were other translations available, we used Syed Muhammad Husayn Nainar’s version, as his scholarship was deeply impressive and credible.
The book was widely accepted among serious readers, particularly in the academic circles. We thought of tracing the late author and finding his other works. Our search for Nainar chanced upon one Syed Muhammad Munawwar Nainar based in Doha. Our associates in Qatar managed to collect his number and our managing editor Auswaf Ahsan made a call. A random attempt, without much hope, ended up in bringing out a beautiful title to the sight of historians and scholars. No coincidence has been a coincidence for us. Auswaf asked if he has any link with Syed Muhammad Husayn Nainar, the translator of Tuhfat. “I am his son,” came the reply of Syed Muhammad Munawwar Nainar. A mutual surprise. He asked if the call was being made from India. It was. Nainar asked what OB needed from him. Auswaf explained: we are looking to trace the translator of Tuhfa; we would like to know if the author has had any other works published or publishable, as we specialise in Mappila history. Munawwar told us about his father’s masterpiece: Arab Geographers’ Knowledge of Southern India, the doctoral thesis submitted at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, under the guidance of eminent British orientalist Prof. H.A.R. Gibb. The book was first published by the University of Madras in 1942.
The late author’s son Syed Muhammad Munawwar Nainar was also a scholar. A PhD holder in Arabic from Jawaharlal Nehru University, he was working with Gulf Today, in Doha. In the end of the same year, Auswaf met Nainar in Doha, over a cup of coffee. Nainar offered assistance in every sense, dispatched an old copy of his father’s masterpiece and regularly followed up the progress. His daughter Nahla Nainar, a journalist with The Hindu, was admirably meticulous in proof-reading and editing the title. We decided to make the title off-size and Harshad did a beautiful cover. Nujumuddin’s lay-out was as cool as always. Syed Muhammad Munawwar Nainar came all the way from Selam to launch the title in Calicut on July 22, 2011.
