How an old Muslim, made his people believe paradise

Sham S. Misri

Marco Polo travelled extensively with his family, journeying from Europe to Asia from 1271 to 1295 and remaining in China for 17 of those years. Around 1292, he left China, acting as consort along the way to a Mongol princess who was being sent to Persia.

Although he was born to a wealthy Venetian merchant family, much of Marco Polo’s childhood was spent parentless, and he was raised by an extended family. Polo's mother died when he was young, and his father and uncle, successful jewel merchants were in Asia for much of Polo's youth. The Polo’s  then joined a diplomatic mission to the court of Kublai Khan, the Mongol leader whose grandfather, Genghis Khan, had conquered Northeast Asia. During their stay with the leader, Khan had expressed his interest in Christianity and asked the Polo brothers to visit again with 100 priests and a collection of holy water. Khan's Empire, the largest the world had ever seen, was largely a mystery to those living within the borders of the Holy Roman Empire. A sophisticated culture outside the reaches of the Vatican seemed profound, and yet that's exactly what the Polo brothers described to confused Venetians when they arrived home.

Unable to recruit the 100 priests that Kublai Khan had requested, they left with only two, who, after getting a taste of the hard journey ahead of them, soon turned back for home. The Polos' journey took place on land, and they were forced to cut through challenging and sometimes harsh territory.

Kublai Khan eventually employed Marco as a special envoy. He was sent to far-flung areas of Asia never before explored by Europeans, including Burma, India and Tibet. Marco Polo a strong explorer served powerful Khan well with all his official credentials. As the years wore on, Marco was promoted for his work. He served as governor of a Chinese city. Later, Khan appointed him as an official of the Privy Council.

After 17 years in Khan's court, the Polos decided it was time to return to Venice. Their decision was not one that pleased Khan, who'd grown to depend on the men. In the end, he agreed to their request with one condition: They had to escort a Mongol princess to Persia, where she was to marry a Persian prince. Traveling by sea, the Polos left with a caravan of several hundred passengers and sailors. The journey proved traumatic, and many perished as a result of storms and disease. By the time the group reached Persia's Port, just 18 people, including the princess and the Polos, were still alive.

Back home, Marco Polo  reveled all the adventures. In the book ‘Travels of Marco Polo,’ there is a reference about the earthly paradise which is as follows:

Formed in a valley, between two mountains, the largest and most beautiful garden that ever was seen, there grew all the finest fruits in the world, and it was adorned by the most beautiful houses and palaces, the interior being richly gilded, and furnished with finely colored pictures of birds and beasts, and the most striking objects. It contained several conduits through which flowed respectively water, wine, honey, and milk. Here were ladies and damsels unequalled in beauty and in the skill with which they sang and played on instruments of every description. Now the Old Man, a long bearded Muslim, made his people believe that this garden was paradise. The Old Man wanted to make people believe that those who went into that place would meet great numbers of beautiful women, and find rivers of water, wine, milk and honey: hence the visitors were led to think that this really was paradise. Into this garden he admitted no man except those whom he wished. The entry to the spot was commanded by a castle so strong that he did not fear any power in the world. He kept in his court all the youths of the country between twelve and twenty years of age, and when he thought proper selected a number who had been well instructed in the description of paradise. He gave them a beverage which threw them into a deep sleep, then carried them into the garden and made them be awakened. When any one of them opened his eyes, saw this delightful spot, and heard the delicious music and songs, he really believed himself in the state of blessedness. When again, however, he fell asleep, he was brought out into the castle, where he awoke in great wonder, and felt deep regret at having left that delightful abode. He then went humbly to the Old Man, worshipping him. Being asked whence he came, he told that he had been in the paradise, relating all he had seen, and saying that he desired much to die and return thither. The chief then named to him a great lord whom he wished him to kill. The youth cheerfully obeyed, and if in the act he was taken and put to death, he suffered with exultation, believing that he was to go into the happy place. If, after performing the deed, he escaped, the Old Man received him with the greatest honor, and when he wished to destroy another chief, employed him afresh, saying that he was sent into paradise.