Mir Mosharraf Hossain was the pioneer of the Renaissance that started among the Bengali Muslims (1847–1911). In the case of novels, Mir Mosharraf Hossain, the first Bengali Muslim novelist, is one of the greatest writers of Bengali prose literature. He began writing in the second half of the nineteenth century. He composed his timeless work, “Bishad Sindhu,” (Ocean of Sorrow) in the euphoric language of elegant prose. He wrote many books, of which “Bishad Sindhu” is the best for its subject’s vicissitudes. His best work, “Bishad Sindhu,” has a special identity. His critics express the excellence of his writing from their point of view. The majority of the critics consider “Bishad Sindhu” to be his best essay.
The
making of Bishad Sindhu:
If we look at the story of “Bishad Sindhu,” then we will find that the writer metamorphosed a new Muslim tradition in this book. “Bishad Sindhu” is depicted in this very mournful story of the past. “Bishad Sindhu” is not a history but a novel written based on historical events. So, this book is not monotonous but a simple composition. Here readers would see life, violence, greed, hypocrisy, cruelty and the vaunting of arrogant people. Imam Hasan and Husayn are the symbols of sanctity; their counterpart is the cruel and arrogant son of Yazid Ibn Muawiya. Yazid is drunker and lascivious. His sinister look fell on the beautiful wife of Abdul Zabbar. Abdul Zabbar divorced his wife in the trap of cupidity.
Abdul Zabbar’s wife, Zainab, was shocked by this incident. She understood the conspiracy of Yazid. So, she selected Imam Hasan as her husband, refusing the proposal to marry Yazid. For this reason, Yazid was revengeful. The story begins here. Eventually, this story, spreading its diversity, turns into a mournful and fatal end. Imam Hasan was poisoned, and Husayn was murdered by setting a trap at Karbala. The brutal killing of Karbala is a historical incident. It occurred on the 10th of Muharram. Imam Hasan and Husayn sacrificed their lives in the fire of revenge. In the minds of Muslim people, that case has given them pain for ages.
The subject matter of “Bishad Sindhu” is very painful. The main topic of this book is the martyrdom of Imam’s family at the hands of the insolent Yazid. The book ends with the most severe consequences of sin. The author has resorted to the imagination in many places. To make the historical topic dynamic and attractive, the writer has created subtopics, which enhance the acceptance of this book. He never distorted the main topic of history. The consequence of Yazid shown in the book is not history-based. Here, the writer’s principled mind reacted. He tried to set a principle showing the defeat of sin.
Creation
of character:
“Bishad Sindhu” is a large historical novel. It has more than a hundred characters. The main character of this book is Yazid. He is the son of Muawiya, Syria's ruler. He was a rogue, gave the evil eye to another's wife, was a drunker, and had a bad temper. He was devoid of conscience and principles, but he was a very courageous warrior. His soldiers brutally killed attendants and family members of Imam Husayn at Karbala field. Imam Husayn was killed by a heretic named Shamir. All these brutal activities were done at the instruction of Yazid. The writer does not attribute any virtue to the character of Yazid. The characters of “Bishad Sindhu” are divided into two parts. One is honest, and the other one is a dishonest character. Yazid was the mastermind of the dishonest character. Yazid was brutal, stubborn, and had a highly willing force. He did not care about any obstacles.
Historian Ibne Khaldun also gave this same opinion. The character of Yazid is properly depicted by the writer in his novel. The writer has exactly followed history in delineating the characters of Imam Hasan and Husayn. They are honest and pious, and there is no lack in their character. Ja'da is the bright character of “Bishad Sindhu.” The writer demonstrated his skill in portraying this character.
In the character of Ja'da, it has been outlined how an honest and loving woman became notorious after falling into rapacity. Like a competent artist, Mir Mosharraf Hossain revealed the narrowness, indigence, bloodthirstiness, cupidity, grudge and covetousness of a woman’s mind. Mir Mosharraf, in his everlasting write-up, unveiled the cover of the weird mind, where reptiles of desire crawl slowly into the mind getting the signal of death. Shamir and Maimuna are two atheistic characters. They can commit any heinous crime for money. Maimuna tempted Ja'da into killing Hasan. On the other hand, Shamir brutally killed the exhausted Husayn. Hanif was a brave man as well as a brave warrior. His prudence and bravery in the rescue phase impress the reader. This character becomes lively with the magical touch of the writer. Other supporting characters are also well-written in their own realm.
Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, the king of literature, compared Mir Mosharraf Hossain with Madhusudan Dutta. He said there is a similarity in creating the characters of this novel with the characters of Meghnadvadh poetry. Ravana, the hero of the Meghnadvadh poetry, has immense power, but so was his pain. Yazid is also strong like Ravana. Sita of Meghnadvadh is like Zainab of Bishad Sindhu. The soliloquy of Zainab reminds us of the story of Sita.
Language:
The language of “Bishad Sindhu” is an elegant Bengali language that heavily borrows words from Sanskrit. Here, the influence of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s language is observed. Mir Mosharraf Hossain composed the dialogue in euphoric language. The art of language is very beautiful. His language is spirited as well as artistic. The writer's narration has become lively because of the use of language. Though Sanskrit words are used in language, there is no sluggishness in it. Everywhere, a smooth flow of language is seen. “Bishad Sindhu” is the best essay of Mir Mosharraf Hossain. This cannot be said about any other book of this writer.
Though Mir Mosharraf Hossain did not avoid ethics in his writing, he keenly observed the problems of human life. Like a true novelist, he has been able to consider the problems of human beings, such as their insignificance, lowliness, kindness, and greatness.
