I.N. & Qu._ vol. v, para.
207.
4. Abul Fazl describes Tansen as being of Gwalior, adding that 'a
singer like him has not been in India for the last thousand years'.
Nos. 2-5 and several others in Abul Fazl's list of eminent musicians
in Akbar's reign are all noted as belonging to Gwalior, which
evidently was the most musical of cities (Blochmann, transl. Ain, i,
612). Sleeman appears to have been mistaken in connecting Tansen with
Patna. But the musician must really have become a Musalman, because
his tomb stands close to the south-western corner of the sepulchre at
Gwalior of Muhammad Ghaus, an eminent Muslim saint. No Hindu could
have been buried in such a spot (_A.S.R._, vol. ii, p. 370).
According to one account Tansen died in Lahore, his body being
removed to Gwalior by order of Akbar (Forbes, _Oriental Memoirs_,
London, 1813, vol. iii, p. 32). The leaves of the tamarind-tree
overshadowing the tomb are believed to improve the voice marvellously
when chewed.
Mr. Fox Strangways notes that Hindu critics hold Tansen 'principally
responsible for the deterioration of Hindu music. He is said to have
falsified the rags, and two, Hindol and Megh, of the original six
have disappeared since his time' (op.
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