Question

Discuss Amir Khusrau's contribution to India music.

Answer 1

Amir Khusrau was an Indian musician, scholar and poet. He played an important role in the development of music in the medieval India. He was a disciple of the great Sufi saint Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya of Delhi. He was also the court poet of Alauddin Khilji. Some of his important contributions are as follows:

(1) He introduced qawwali and khayal styles of singing.
(2) He invented the sitar, which is a musical combination of the old Indian veena and the Iranian tambura.
(3) He played a major role in the development of ghazals in India. He was also known and admired for his poems. He innovated many compositions as well as assimilated different types of music.

In short, his contribution to the field of music in India is beyond comparison. He also helped in the evolution of the Indian music to a stage where it stands today.