Bull.lnd.lnst.Hist.Med. Vol. XXX - 2000 pp 27 to 34

AYURVEDA DURING ABBASID'S PERIOD

S.A. HUSAIN" & P.K.J.P. SUBHAKTHA"'

ABSTRACT

This is a historical paper which deals with a brief account of Abbasid's period.

In this article the existence of Ayurveda in Arab countries, arrival of Ayurvedic

physicians to Baghdad, their eminence, authenticity and literary additions in medical

tield has been studied and presented.

Abbasides were the rulers of Baghdadin early Islamic period. After the demise ofprophet of Islam, (Hazrat MohammedS.A.S.)* in 632 A.D. Muslims were ruledby Khulafa-e-Rasheda (Caliphs) which werefour in number i.e.

Hazrat Abu Bakr (Rz-An) **Hazrat Umar (Rz-An).Hazrat Osman (Rz. An)

632-634 A.D.634-644 A.D.644-656 A.D.

and Hazrat Ali (Rz-An) the son-in-law of theprophet 656-661. After Hazrat Ali (Rz-An)his son Hazrat Hasan (Rz-An) the first grandson of the prophet ruled only for six monthsand handed over the charge to Muawia sahebon some conditions to avoid schism in Islam.Muawia Saheb founded the dynasty ofUmmaid Kingdom who ruled in hereditarysuccession. Fourteen kings of this dynastyruled from 661-750 A.D. Later 'Umrnaidkings (caliphs) started indulging in luxuriousliving. This gradually sapped the vitality of

Arab society. Thus second wave of theconquest began. One of the descendents ofHazrat Ali (Rz-An), Abul Abas al Saffah wasproclaimed caliph by the inhabitant of Kofain 749, A.D. upon which a battle was tookplace between him and Marwan II, the lastking of Ummaids. Later was slain in 750A.D. Abbas al Saffah laid the foundation ofAbbasid's dynasty which also continued tobe transmitted to his family from father toson for 524 lunar years during a successionof 37 caliphs till they were disposed byHalaku Khan in 1258 A.D.

Many of the Abbasid caliphs and theirnobles were interested in the works of publicwelfare. They patronized medicine andmedical men, established hospitals andmobile clinics and held the examination ofthe physicians to allow medical practice. Inaddition to these their appreciation ofAyurveda was also note worthy point.

In this article the historical details ofexistence of ayurveda at Arab countries,

Assistant Research Officer (Unani) Indian Institute of History of Medicine, I-Iyderabad.

•• Assistant Research Officer (Ayu.) Indian Institute of History of Medicine, Hyderabad.

S.A.S - "Sallallaho Alaihiwo Sail am" muslim use these words with the name of Hazrat Mohammed S.AS'.

•• Rz - An - "Raziyallaho Anho" muslims use these words with the names of the companions of the ProphetHazrat Mohammed S.A.S.

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arrival of Ayurvedic physicians to Baghdadduring Abbasid's period, their eminence,their authenticities and literary addition inmedical field may be studied.Ayurvedic Accession in ArabCountries:

On philological and other grounds it canbe proved that Arabs were at any rate in touchwith India before the rise of Islam. Thenames of several Indian products, spices andother words of Indian origin like Kafur,Zangabil, Sandal etc., are found in Quran.Many references are found in history bookswith regard to the existence of Ayurvedicphysicians in Arab countries even before thetime of Abbasid's period.

The author of Islami Tibb, RahberFarooqui with reference to MaulanaSulaiman Nadevi writes that "traces ofbeneficial services of this science were foundin different countries even before the adventof Islam". He further referring another book"AI Adebul Mufred" writes, "Once UmmulMominin Ayesha Siddiqa (Rz-An) fell ill.Her nephew called for a Jat physician to treather."

Hasan Nigrami says "Since ancient timesIndian Physicians have been called fortreatment from various Arab countries. Inthe period of Kisra 531-570 A.D. (his othernames are Naushirwan Adil and chosroe thegreat) there was an Indian physician pearztanal Hindi who use to treat his patients withBhang (Hemp)". In another place Nigramiwrites "the king of Faris use to call thisphysician for his treatment."

The relation between Arabs and Indiansbecame firm in the period of Haroon alRasheed (786-809 AD) the fifth Caliph ofthe Abbasids who granted the post of

Bull.Ind.lnst.Hist.Med. Vol XXX - 2000

ministry to Yahya bin Khalid Barmaki. Hewas very interested in the works of publicwelfare specially in medicine. He made thefirst endeavour to provide an opportunity forMuslims to ponder over the Indian Medicine,he ordered that a person should go to Indiaand after reaching there he should conduct athorough research on the vedic science andthen collect rare Indian drugs and herbs andreturn to the capital and try his utmost to bringthe scholars of this science from India toBaghdad by giving them hope of royalbounties and gifts. Thus on account of theseefforts a team of Indian scholars came toBaghdad.

According to the author of "Studies inArabic and Persian Medical Literature",Zubair Siddiqui, "In addition to theBarmacides (Barmaki family) there wereother courtiers ofHaroon also like Abu Umaral Ajami, Ishaq bin Sulaiman al Hashimi andAbu Hatim al Balakhi who were interestedin this branch of cultural activity. ButBarmacides were the most influential andresourceful of all of them."Indian Physicians at Baghdad:

Knowing the interest of Abbasid Caliphstowards Ayurvedic medicine, IndianPhysicians flocked to Baghdad where theyimpressed the muslims by their eminenceand perfectness. The names of suchphysicians which come across in medicalhistory are as follows. Manka (Manikya),Kanka (Kankayan), Ibn Dhan (S/o.Dhanapati), Saleh bin Bahla (Sali S/o. Bhela),Shanaq (Chanakya or Saunaka) etc.

Regarding manka's arrival at Baghdadit is written that once Haroon al Rasheed fellill. The physicians failed to cure him. Inthose days the fame of a great physician of

Ayurveda During Abbasid's Period - Husain & Subhaktha

India pandit Manka had spread far and wide.Abu Amer Ajami, a courtier of Haroonrequested him to call for Manka. Incompliance with the firman Manka reachedBaghdad and treated Haroon perfectly.Having recovered from his health Haroonshowered gifts and honours on Manka. Itwas the effect of royal patronage Mankasettled there only. He gained proficiency inArabic and Persian Languages and translatedSanskrit books in Arabic and Persian.

About another physician, saleh, someinformations are found in history books. IbnAbi Useibia and other historians mentionedhis name as saleh bin Behla but ZubairSiddiqui wrote about saleh that he wasprobably Sali, the son or descendent of thefamous physician Bhela. His name is eitherArabicized form of sali or he was convertedto Islam which is more likely. However hewas Indian physician, lived at Bagdad duringthe period of Haroon al Rasheed. He wasnot credited with any literary medical work.He did not held official position also.Probably he was a private practitioner in themetropolis of Islam. Many historiansremembered him only in connection with thetreatment ofIbrahim, a cousin of Haroon anda patient who was suffering from epoplexy.The graphic description of this case is foundin a book, Uyoonul Anba (Arabic) by lbnAbi Useibia on the ultimate authority of eyewitness. He says that the physician, salehcured the caliph's cousin who was sufferingfrom apoplexy in a marvelous manner aboutwhom Jibrael bin Baktishu, the then chiefphysicians of that time had declared that thepatient was about to die and had said perhapshe (the patient) may not live till Isha prayer(The prayer which is offered by the muslims

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in evening after one hour of the Sun set). Onhearing this Jafer Barmaki, a courtiersuggested Haroon to call for Saleh,Introducing Saleh, Jafar said he is as greatmaster of Indian medicine as Jibrael is ofGreek medicine. The caliph accepted Jafer'ssubmission. Saleh went and examinedIbrahim. Having examined the patient herefused to disclose the condition of the patientto anyone except the caliph. AccordinglyJafer Barmaki took him to Haroon, the caliph.Saleh swore upon his life and said "yourbrother Ibrahim will not definitely die of hisdisease tonight and if, Allah forbid, ithappens all my properties, all my slaves andslave girls etc., may be confiscated as waqfand all my wives may be deemed to havedivorced" He said "what I am saying is onthe basis of my scientificknowledge andexperience" On seeing his confidenceHaroon kept quite. But when the timeforeboded by the Jibrael came it was reportedto Haroon that Ibrahim had died. Haroonreached Ibrah im' shouse. ' After a shortinterval Saleh also reached there and said asa matter of fact my wives will be divorced.Your majesty should not feel sorrow. Yourcousin is alive, I request your majesty topermit me to examine the patient." Havinggot the permission Saleh reached the patientand with in a short time came out requestingHaroon to accompany with. Both went insidethe room. Saleh pierced the muscle with aneedle below the thumb of the right hand ofthe patient, where upon he pulled up his hand.Saleh said "Can it ever happen that a deadman moves on account of some pain"?,Having got the faith of Haroon Salehdemanded some arrangement to start hismedical treatment. After treatment Ibrahim

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fully recovered and became hale and healthy.Ibn Dhan (Son of Dhanapathi) was also

an important Indian physician who lived atBagdad simultaneously with Manka(Manikya). He was called to Baghdad byYahya Barmaki and was appointed as thedirector of a hospital. Ibn Dhan was thesame who translated several Indian worksinto persion and Arabic languages at thesuggestion of Yahya.

Gauther (Jaudher or yasodhara) was oneof the excellent philosopher and learned manof India. He had insight in the science ofmedicine. He compiled several books onscientific subjects. One of these books is theKitabul mawaleed (The book of nativities orAlchemy). One of the medical historianssays that it was the translation of author'sown book. But he did not mentioned thelanguage of original book. Gauther died in1269 AD.Ayurvedic Literary Works ofAbbasid's Period:

Many medical informations and lists ofmedical works found during Abbasid'speriod. However it is proved that theAyurveda was not only existing there but itwas progressing day by day. According toZabair Siddiqui the following Indian medicalworks, however were rendered into Arabicand Persian languages during the Abbasidcaliphat.

(i) Char aka : It was translated intoPersian (Pahlawi) by Manka (Manikya) andthen it was. rendered into Arabic by"Abdullah bin Ali."

(ii) Susrud (Susruta). It was renderedinto Arabic by Manka (Manikya) at thesuggestion of Yahya, the son of Khalid theBarmacid. It consisted of ten discourses.

Bull.lnd.lnsl.Hisl.Med. Vol XXX - 2000

(iii) Astankar (Astangahridaya). It wasrendered into Arabic by Ibn Dhan.

(iv) Nidan (Nidana). The name of theArabic translator of this book is not known.But it has been described as containing thesymptoms and description of 404 diseaseswith out giving the methods of theirtreatment.

(v) Sindhastaq or Sindhshan (Siddha-yoga). The meaning of the term has been

described by Ibnu 'I-Nadim as safwatun-Nujh which means the purity of successwhich is the Arabic rendering of Sidhayogawhich means Elixir of success. It wastranslated into Arabic by Ibn Dhan.

(vi) Kitabu's Sumum (The book ofpoisons). It is in five discourses. It wastranslated from the Indian language intoPersian Language (Pahlawi) by Manka(Manikya) at the suggestion of Khalid theBarmacid and was copied in Persian(Pahlawi) by Abu Hatim of Balkh. It wastranslated at a later period into Arabic byAbbas bin said who read it out to the caliphal Mamun.

(vii) The book of Rusa, the Indianwomen dealing with the treatment of women.

(viii) The book dealing with the opinionsof Indians about the various kinds of snakesand their poisons.

(ix) A short treatise on drugs.(x) The book of treatment of pregnant

women.(xi) The book of intoxication

(intoxicants).(xii) The book dealing with one hundred

diseases and one hundred medicaments byTugashtal (?).

(xiii) The book on the effect of mania orHysteria.

Ayurveda During Abbasid's Period - Husain & Subhaktha

(xiv) The book giving names of drugs inten different languages.

(xv) The book dealing with the drugsabout the properties and nature of which theIndians and Greeks differ.Unani Medical Books ContainingAyurvedic Information Compiledor Translated During Abbasid'sPeriod:

The following account of literary workssuggests that the natives of Bagdad, the headquarter of Abbasid Caliphs had at theiraccess not only the Greek medical books butalso the important Ayurvedic medical works.Ofcourse they were largely influenced by theGreek system of medicine but they were notignored Ayurveda. They spared many pagesin their medical books giving separatechapters for Ayurvedic information orquoting the statement of Ayurvedicauthorities with regard to their own theories.For example the great intellect of Abbasid'speriod, Abul Hasan Ali bin Sahl RabanTabari (Date of birth 810 AD) compiled abook "Firdausul Hikmat" in the year 838 AD.This book contains a short account of wholesystem of Indian medicine on the basis offour important medical works.(I) Charaka (2) Sushruta (3) Nidana and(4) Ashtangahridaya

The author referred to the book of anIndian women medical writer with regard tothe prescription for some of the uterineproblems. Of course the major portion of thebook is on Greek medicine. It also given usa short, clear and coherent exposition of thewhole system of Indian Medicine. Theauthor began the composition of this bookabout the year 830 AD., and compiled itduring his secretaryship of Mazyar bin

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Quarin, the ruler of Tabaristan in his leisurehours and almost finished it in the year838 AD.

According to Zubair Siddiqui, this bookhas been divided according to the subjectmatter into seven main parts each of whichis divided in to a number of discourses whichare again sub divided into chapters. InSiddiqui's book all the contents of"FirdausulHikrnat" have been given.

Avoiding the details of all contents onlythe headings of all chapters of fourthdiscourse of seventh part (The endingdiscourse of last part) are being submittedhere for the scholars who are interested inIndian medicine and as a proof of the ArabMedical Scholar's interest towards IndianMedicine.Chap. I. Indian medicineChap. 2. Classification of this scienceChap. 3. Qualifications necessary for a

student of medicine.Chap. 4. The physician should not be hasty

in under taking the treatment ofpatients.5. Procreation of men and animals6. Embryo and its formation.7. The function of the humours andthe effects of their excess or defi-

Chap.Chap.Chap.

ciency.Chap. 8. Measures to be taken for the pre-

servation of health and their advan-tages.

Chap. 9. The superfluous matters of thebody and the harm caused by sup-pressing them.

Chap. 10. The harm caused bytakingdifferent things in excess.

Chap. 11. Different kinds of waters andtheir properties.

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Chap.

Chap.

Chap.

Chap.

Chap.

Chap.

Chap.

Chap.Chap.Chap.

Chap.Chap.

Chap.Chap.Chap.Chap.Chap.

Chap.Chap.Chap.

Chap.

12. Different tastes, and what thephysician should know about them.13. Food and the arrangement ofdifferent courses.14. What should be taken with dif-ferent kinds of wine.15. Wine and how it should bedrunk, and persons who should ab-stain from it.16. The milk of different animalsand its properties.17. Measures to be taken in the diff-erent seasons of the year for keepinghealthy.18. On universal morals (based onthe works of the Indian physicians).19. General causes of diseases20. Different kinds of diseases21. How to know the differentstages of diseases in a patient.22. Particular causes of diseases.23. What is caused by the prepond-erance of each humour.24. Methods of treatment.25. Hic cough26. Cough and its treatment27. Thirst28. Symptoms of relaxation of thebowals and the Consumptions.29. Fever and its symptoms30. Treatment of fever31. Vanesectien and when it shouldnot be resorted te.32. Symptoms of convelesence anddeath.

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Chap.Chap.Chap.

33. Evil spirits34. Purgative and emetics35. Medicine for diseases ofuterus.36. Compound medicineChap.

After Abul Hasan Ali bin Raban, thegreat Muslim physician Mahammed binZakeria Razi also enriched his gigantic book,Al Havi and his other compilations quotingthe statement of Indian authentic works suchas I. Charaka, 2. Sushruta, 3.Nidana, 4.Ashtangahridaya, 5.Siddhayoga, 6. Thebooks of drugs about the nature andproperties of which greeks and the Indiansdiffered, 7.The book on the treatment ofpregnant women, 8.The booklet on the Indiandrugs, 9. The book dealing with hundreddiseases and one hundred medicaments byTugastal (?). 10.The book on the treatmentof women by Rusa, the Indian women. II.The book dealing with intoxication by anIndian. 12. The book dealing with theopinion of the Indians about the various kindsof Snake and their poisons. 13. The book onthe effect of mania on various disease.

These informations show as the stampof Ayurveda in the period from 750 to 1258AD and the eminence of Ayurvedic scholarsof that period, the translations of Ayurvedicworks done and what are the works thatcontain Ayurvedic information along withUnani Medicine.

Ayurveda During Abbasid's Period - Husain & Subhaktha 33

REFERENCES1. Edward G.Browne 1921 Arabian medicine, printed in Cambridge

University press pages 38 and 39.

2. Hassan Nigrami S.M. 1989 Tareekh Tibb, published by urdu promo-tion Beurea, New Delhi.

3. Hussain 1992 History of Ayurveda in lslami Tibb, byRahbar Farooqui, BulI.IIHM. Vol. XXII,pages 135-194.

4. Ibn Abi Useibia 1992 Uyoonul Anba (Urdu Translation), Vol.2published by CCRUM, pages 91 to 97.

5. Dr.Ishratullah Khan 1994 Ahd-e-Mamoon ke Tibbi Kutub,published by Urdu promotion beauru,New Delhi. Pages 47 - 50, 261 to 263& 306.

6. Rahbar Farooqui 1936 Islami Tibb, published by Azamsteam press, Hyderabad, pages 13 to 23.

> 7. Thomas William Beal 1971 An Oriental Biographical Dictionary,printed by Manohar Printers, Delhi,Page.68.

8. Dr.Zubair Siddiqui 1959 Studies in Arabic and Persion medicalliterature, published by Calcutta Univer-sity, pages 30 to 45, 48, 52, 55,61, 63,80 and 81.

•

34 Bull. Ind. Inst. Hist.Med. Vol XXX - 2000

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