Book: Samarkand

Author: Amin Maalouf
Publisher:

Throughout history, minds with ideas have struggled to turn them into reality. Some have dived in a life-long pursuit only to find themselves ostracized by those who felt insecure of the ideas.

Samakand offers us an insight to a time when those with ideals struggle to survive in a world full of people seeking to fulfill themselves through acquisition of power.

This is a story about Omar Khayyam- the poet, the mathematician, the astrologer- the Renaissance man- whose journey intertwines his life with that of the feuding elements of the time- empires, rulers, and of course assassins!

Legend has it that Omar Khayyam, Vizir Nizam-ul-Mulk and Hassan the Assassin were always friends. This legend is so deep seated, that some history books unquestioningly present it as a fact. However, the picture is not as romantic as portrayed.

As Omar Khayyam pens down his rubaiyaat to help reduce the conflicting accounts of what he has and has not been inspired to say, we get glimpses into his life. From his aversion to needless plays for power, to his desires for Empress’ aide, Jahan, who would sneak into his room leaving only the dark night to veil her body, to how he, with the best of intentions introduces a renegade Ismaili, Hassan, to the de facto ruler of the Empire, Vizir Nizam ul Mulk.

The introduction sets the stage for another round of entertaining power struggles, jealousies, personal vendettas, revenge and murder. After a series of conflicts, Hassan is banished and sets up an Order of the Assasins in the castle of Alamut nestled in secluded mountains. From there, he inspires individuals to blindly follow his teachings and selectively assassinate targets deemed harmful to the faith.

In the center of all the struggles Omar Khayyam meticulously inscribes the rubaiyaats in the manuscript that is to disappear for centuries.

Samarkand fast forwards by eight hundred years into the turmoil galloping in the same place as centuries before. Time may have progressed, yet the struggles never cease, men may have changed, but their aspirations remain the same. And amidst the furor, the manuscript of Omar Khayyam is finally found. Only to be lost once again.

Life is but a few days, which fly away very fast,
As sharp falls of rivers, and whirlwinds in the vast,
Two days nearest to me, are ever out of my hold,
Morrow never within reach, yesterday lost in the past.
-Omar Khayyam