Something Old, Something New

The narrator of Ihsan Manzil points out the penchant men have for making things that outlast them, and in doing so turning them into symbols of their existence. He goes on to say “Ihsan Manzil say puraani Ihsan Manzil ki rawayaat theen.” Thus we see the residents of Ihsan Manzil struggle with letting go of these ravayaat, while they also try to hold on to them. As changes are made to the rules of the haveli new names are given to protect what remains the same, i.e. there is an objection to “taleem” and then “azaadi” and then “besharmi”. All these words allude to the same thing and that is the protection of the shareef system, which is the real emblem of the Sheikh’s of Ihsan Manzil. So even though new ideas are adopted, there is a reluctance to let go of the past, of the history (zamaana) that is the basis of Ihsan Manzil.