The Last Rock: The Invasion of Mongols and the Fall of Baghdad

by Naseem Hijazi, Irum Sarfaraz (Translator)

'The Last Rock' outlines the tragic events preceding the eventual Fall of Baghdad and the annihilation of countless of countries in the barbaric blaze of the Mongol invasion. 'The Last Rock' is the story of the formidable Islamic warrior Jalaluddin Khwarazm Shah, an invincible rock in the Tartars' path as they flamed their way in a trail of blood and tears towards the center of Islamic learning, culture, and arts. Baghdad was the coveted prize, the key to ending Muslim dominance in world, and Hulagu Khan was determined to procure it at any cost. And when Baghdad fell, it was the end of the Islamic Golden Age. As he evaded the locust Tartar armies, Jalaluddin proved to be a foe that even Genghis Khan was said to have admired. 'The Last Rock' is a mesmerizing read as it takes us into the real events behind the tragic Fall of Baghdad.

Genres: History, Pakistan, Historical, Classics

326 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1963

About the author

Sharīf Husain (Urdu: شریف حسین), who used the pseudonym Nasīm Hijāzī (Urdu: نسیم حجازی, commonly transliterated as Naseem Hijazi, or Nasim Hijazi) was an Urdu writer famous for writing Islamic Historical fiction. Born in British India he settled in Lahore, Pakistan after independence. His novels based on Islamic history are considered one of a kind in Urdu literature.

Reviews

[Mohammad Anas · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all I would like to add description of this book for those who don't know what it is about:

Akhri Chattan is about a Muslim Soldier who tries to unite Muslims under one banner against evil of Changez Khan. Title of this book refers to the Khwarezmian Empire and its Sultan Jalal udin Mingburnu.

This is my second Naseem Hijazi Book, first one was Muhammad Bin Qasim which I thought was an excellent novel. Akhri Chatan by Naseem Hijazi is about the downfall of Muslim Empire. It shows how one nation can go down if it becomes selfish and corrupt. I personally felt that this book is Long. It should have been no more than 350 Pages. Due to lack of multiple central characters as it was in Muhammad Bin Qasim, this book felt sometimes monotonous.

In Short, entertaining, sad and story with good Moral.

[আব্দুল্লাহ · Rating 5 out of 5]

আহা! আমি যদি আমার ছোটোবেলায় তিন গোয়েন্দা, জাফর ইকবাল, মিসির আলী আর হিমু পড়ার সময়টা নসীম হিজাযীর বই পড়ে ব্যয় করতে পারতাম! তাঁর লেখবার কলমের কাছে আর সব ঔপন্যাসিক আর লেখকের কলম যেন নিতান্তই অসহায়। তাঁর ক্ষুরধার কলমের কাছে বাকি সব পানশে। আপনি যদি বইপ্রেমিক হন আর ইসলামী উপন্যাসের স্বাদ না নিয়ে থাকেন, তাহলে বলব আপনি নিশিতে চাঁদ দেখে বাকি সব তারকারাজি সম্পর্কে ভুল ধারণা করেছেন, আপনি এখনো সূর্যের রশ্নি খালি চোখে দেখেননি। যাই হোক, ইসলামী উপন্যাসের দুনিয়ায় আপনাকে মোবারকবাদ জানাচ্ছি।
❤️❤️

[Fizah(Books tales by me) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual Rating 3.5

It is my first Naseem Hijazi book and It is not gonna be last. It is the story of Tahir bin Yousuf who is trying to convince Abbasi Khilafat to stand with Khwarizm against the war of Changez Khan's army. This displayed in detail how Muslim Empire forgot its basics and lost everything. It is a dark story that made you feel helpless and angry. I really liked the storytelling style. Though I found the pace a bit slow.

[Amin Dandia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sultan Jalaluddin Khwazamshah was a strong Muslim commander who battled the mongols at various fronts and tried to unite the ummah but very few countries came to his aid.

[W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Naseem Hijazi was the foremost writer of Urdu historical fiction in Pakistan.I read so many of his books years ago.Picked it up again,but couldn't finish it this time.It's just too long,as most of his books are.He also tends to glorify war too much,and his tone is too didactic.Still,pared down,this one would make a good story.Sultan Jalal ud Din Khawrzam Shah,stands as the last bastion of resistance,against Genghis Khan's invading Mongol hordes.This actually transferred very well to the TV screen,as PTV adapted it as an entertaining TV series.

[Fahàd Azmi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very idealistic tale of the Banu Abbas caliphate's struggle against the Mongol empire. Some story arcs were very interesting, specially Tahir's ascension in the mountains where he first met Suraya. The end left me dissapointed as the buildup through out the story wasn't given adequate closure. Accounts were merely narrated from history to bring the book to an end.

[Rabie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read classical novel for all Urdu speaking people. I hope it is translated one day. :)
I've never seen history being repeated so clearly.

A story of Tahir bin Yusuf who struggles to warn people of Baghdad for the upcoming calamities that Genghis Khan and his tribes will bring.

[Aly Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, to be very honest I didn't know that there's any person in Muslim history whose name is Tahir Bin Yusuf, however I came to know about him through this fine book.

This book could be seen by at least two perspectives, first is that you know about the bravery, iron will, and intelligence of Tahir Bin Yusuf but second view which to me is more important than previous one is mentality of Muslims leadership (King, Prince - who were throne by that time). They hesitate to fight with Chengaiz Khan's army, though Tahir tries his best to convince them but they seem to save their spot and status.

Naseem Sahib through this book tells us (at least my point of view is) that Muslims conquered all the world because they were more concerned about Islam rather than their personal benefits but after them Muslims degradation started when they cared about wordly pursuit and to gain materialistic things.

BTW, I'll suggest to everyone who can read Urdu and Hindi, I don't know whether is it available in English translation or not but all the Urdu and Hindi language readers should read it, I guarantee it'll worth your time.

[مومنہ❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve previously read Islamic historical fiction, mostly by Inayatullah ; and his writing style is something that makes your blood feel the story, the dialogues. So naturally, I found myself comparing Naseem Hijazi’s writing with his. This time, that intense feeling was missing, and I think the reason is that most of the books I read earlier focused on strong iman and the bravery of Muslims. Those stories gave hope; even when we read about munafiqeen and traitors, the ultimate success is of good Muslims, and that leaves you feeling strengthened rather than defeated.

Here, though, we are witnessing the fall of Muslims, and obviously that would make anyone feel low. It felt like watching your own destruction happen. The experience was painful, heavy, and sad in a very real way. It hurt because it’s true, and it hurt even more when I thought about the current situation of the Ummah, which is getting worse day by day — what we were, and what we’ve become.

May Allah forgive us and make us strong believers. Ameen.

[Bilal Hashmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

ناول نگاری پھر وہ بھی تاریخ کی ناول نگاری پھر اس میں بھی حقائق کو بعینہ پیش کرنا پھر اسلامی غیرت سے سرشاری! جب یہ سب عناصر جمع ہوتے ہیں تو مرکب کو "نسیم حجازی" کہا جاتا ہے۔ میں بتا نہیں سکتا کہ صرف ایک کتاب پڑھنے سے مجھے تاریخ کے کتنے موضوعات سمجھ آگئے اور اس کے ساتھ ساتھ دل ایک امید اور خوشی سے سرشار ہو گیا کہ اگر ایمانی غیرت کے ساتھ گئے گزرے دور میں ایک معمولی سا مسلمان بھی سپر پاؤر کے آگے کھڑا ہو جائے تو اسے ناکوں چنے چبوا سکتا ہے۔ جب تاتاریوں کا بدمست سمندر ہر رکاوٹ کو تہس نہس کرتا ہوا آگے بڑھتا چلا جا رہا تھا تو اس وقت ایک نوجوان ان کو تگنی کا ناچ نچا دیتا ہے اور وہ ہے شیر خوارزم جلال الدین۔ یہی اس ناول کا ہیرو ہے۔ یہ ناول اس قابل ہے کہ تاریخ کا شوق رکھنے والا اور اسلامی غیرت کا حامل ہر شخص اس کو پڑھے

[Afia · Rating 5 out of 5]

These were the kind of books that boys used to read twenty or thirty years ago. I found this book in my brother's library and after reading it understood why it was his favorite novel.
Naseem Hijazi was a master in creating upright heroes with high morals - youngsters to aspire to. Pakistan has no more Naseem Hijazis, sadly. Akhri Chattan is one of his best works. A young boy, from a rural area rises to the ranks of the top echelons in the war against the invading armies. The book is motivating, based on quite accurate general knowledge. Quite an enjoyable read. I would recommend it all the young boys.

[AlFaiz Shaikh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing work done by Nasim Hijaazi. I would like to thank him for representing the history in a such a beautiful way. I loved the way he wrote. The book is so motivating & full of knowledge to become honest & good person like Tahir Ibn Yusuf. And fabulous political knowledge & how the world level politics happen, how kingdom falls & rise.

[Gachi · Rating 5 out of 5]

খুব পেইনফুল একটা বই! সুফিয়ার মৃত্যুর পর আর আগাতে পারিনি, কষ্টের তীব্রতায়। তাহেরকে স্বার্থপর আর সুরাইয়াকে অনর্থক ক্যারেক্টার লেগেছিল। যেহেতু গল্পচ্ছলে ইতিহাস জানার আগ্রহ ছিল, অন্য বই অনেক খুজেঁছি তাতারদের কাহিনীর জন্য। যাক অবশেষে পেলাম, রাগিব সারজানী লিখিত 'তাতারদের ইতিহাস' বইটি!
শেষ প্রান্তরওও পড়তে পারেন অতি সংবেদনশীল না হলে।

[Amir Khattak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Akhri chatan is a fiction historical novel that describe the decline of abasyd caliphate against mongols else it describe the struggle of jalal uddin to unite muslims and fight against mongols.
A must read book.

[Faizi khokhar · Rating 4 out of 5]

آخری چٹان کمال کا ناول ہے��
ایک دو چھوڑ کے تقریباً تمام ناول پڑھ چکا ہو۔وہ تاریخ کے ناول۔اور تلوار ٹوٹ گئی ۔معظم علی۔آخری معرکہ ۔اندھیری رات کے مسافر۔پورس کے ہاتھی۔قافلہ حجاز۔محمد بن قاسم۔تقریباً سبہی۔کمال کے ناولز ہیں ۔نسیم حجازی جیسے لکھتے ہیں ایسا کوئی بھی نہیں لکھ سکتآ۔لفظ بہ لفظ

[Saba Aneeq · Rating 4 out of 5]

~~~SPOILER ALERT~~~

I would have given it a 5 star if I hadn't found a copied version of Tahir bin Yousuf's escape from the confinement. It was replicated from the escape scene of Edmond Dantes in "The Count of Monte Cristo ". Alas! every detail,narration etc was too good until I spotted this. 😪

[Azeem · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it for its writing, especially dialogues... disliked it for its characterization and black-and-white history. Naseem Hijazi is a terrific writer but his perspective on history is too 'taught'.

[Hammadyounas · Rating 4 out of 5]

تھے تو وہ آبا تمہارے ہی مگر تم کیا ہو
ہاتھ پر ہاتھ دھرے بیٹھے منتظر فرد ا ہو
یہ ناول ضرور پرہو .

[Ali Yasir · Rating 2 out of 5]

A typical Hijaazi history novel where hero is always Muslim. He is an honest, brave and ideal for others.

[Ayesha Yaqoob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best best

[Anzal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Teaches an Important Lesson.

[Tanveer Raza Watoo]

ناول پڑھیں لیکن آن لائن کہیں بھی موجود نہیں ہے اگر کسی کے پاس ہے تو براۓ مہربانی لنک بھیج دیں میرا ای میل ایڈریس یہ ہے tanveerraza3@gmail.com

[Talha Sheikh]

Because,I like history

[Muhammad Usman]

I want to read this book.

[Axhon Abdullah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great historic novel , really shows the cruelty of world ,

[Rafia (bookfueled_ray) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm in tears!! Full Review coming soon.

[AteeqUrRehman]

A be kuch nae read kiy bhai

[Hassaan Chishti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written. Emotional.

[Eshah Shakeel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too much glorification of religion and the hero. The only good thing is the ending maybe.

[Sobiansari]

50/