 It is mentioned in old Persian books, and many Sufi poets mention it in their poems.It is the traditional instrument of Khorasan and is widely used in countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Turkey, Iraq, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as the Xinjiang province of northwest China.The rubab was the first instrument used by Sikhism; it was used by Bhai Mardana, companion of Guru Nanak.