Sunday, March 21, 2010
Soomra Kings Of Sindh And Sufism.
Even though the impact of Sufism was gradual, the people of Sindh, Muslims , Hindus and other casts of and religions, found it convenient to adapt it as they found an spiritual solace in its principles.
In Arabic “Suf” means wool. During the 8th century A.D., some Muslims mystics were seen wearing white woolen robe but in the 9th century A.D, this white woolen robe became common among the Muslim mystics, hence they were called Sufis.
Sufism is based on an unconditional love of God. Being open to love, spiritual yearning, delight and ecstasy, it is neither fear nor hope, but love that lifts us to God. [3]
Thus, the Sufis introduced masses to the loving nature of God. For Sufis it is not enough to know or will for God, but it is the final union with the beloved. It is the merging of self into the Divine Being.
The mild natured people of Sindh, readily came under the sway of these principles of Sufism. Then the arrival of the renowned Sufi saint Mohammad Usman Marvandi Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sindh from Multan in 1273 A.D during the reign of Soomra King Tai bin Dodo (1272-73 to 1295-96), finally made Sindh a stronghold of Sufism.[4].
Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, after his arrival in Sindh, first visited all the cities and people of Sindh and then finally he settled down in the city of Sehwan and from there, he illuminated the soil and souls of Sindhi people with the light of Sufism. As a result of which, Sindh was blessed with such renowned Sufi saints as Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, Sachal Sarmast and Chen Rai Sami and many others.[4]
Sindh became the place of peace, tranquility, tolerane and religious security, bringing Hindus and Muslims closer to each other by the doctrines of Sufism.
*****
SOURCES:
1. The History of Philosophy in Islam by Dr. T.J.D.E.BOER. (http://www.amazon.com/History-Philosophy-Islam-T-Boer/dp/076613078
2. First Ismaili Electronic library and database- (http://www.ismaili.net/htm/modules.php-modload&name-)
3. The History of Philosophy in Islam by Dr. T.J.D.E.BOER. (http://www.amazon.com/History-Philosophy-Islam-T-Boer/dp/076613078.)
4. Chronological Dictionary of Sindh by M.H.Panhwar. 1983. (http://panhwar.com/dictionary.html)
5. Sindhi Adabi Board From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sindhi_Adabi_Board)
6. “Salient Features of the Rule of Soomra Dynasty in Sindh”. Research Articles (Queen Zainab Tari/Golden period of Sindhi women/Renaissance etc.) by Research Scholar Qamar Din. M. Hayat Soomro. 2010. (http://salientfeaturesofsoomrodynasty.blogspot.com/)
Sunday, January 31, 2010
The Romantic Age (Part 3 of 3)
Princess Moomal and Soomal saw their father Raja Nand’ s intense grief over the loss of their royal treasure and consoled him , “ dear father don’t grieve over the loss as Soomal by her necromantic knowledge has found that our treasures have been stolen by a magician. We promise you that we shall get our treasure back by enticing the magician.” Raja Nand heaved a deep sigh and sadly said, “Alas! What you two will do to entice the roaming magician, I wonder!” Moomal and Soomal said, “father, allow us freedom to do what we want to do. We have hatched a vertible plan by which we shall collect more treasure than what we have lost.”
Raja Nand of Mirpur Mathelo State, had no other go but to agree to their proposal reluctantly.
Both Princesses prepared for a journey to a place named Ludano, near about Jesalmir where a stream of water named Nai Kak was flowing. Here, with their slender means they built a small palace and named it Kak palace. In front of the palace in a large area, a maze was built and after it, the waters of the stream were diverted to uneven heights, to fall with a great deafening roar, looking very dangerous to cross, for fear of being drowned. Beyond this dangerous stream, in the woods, wild, ferocious animals were installed which let out blood curdling roars and howls, which created fear of being killed. Inside the palace, in the entrance hall, Princess Soomal placed seven beds out of which six beds were hollow with ditches below, full of sharp irons to kill the person who sits and falls in when the beds collapse.
When all this was completed, a call was sent out far and wide, to all Princes, wealthy men and merchants, to come to Kak palace and try their luck to reach the most beautiful Princess Moomal and who so ever succeeds, she will marry him.
After this call, many Princes, wealthy men and merchants, came to kak, loaded with gifts and bounties to marry the Princess Moomal . Outside the gate entrance of the wall surrounding the area, a big drum was placed and when a suitor beat the drum, Princess Soomal’s maid Natir appeared at the gate and enquired about his name and the wealth he had brought with him for Princess Moomal. Then she went back and informed the Princesses about it. After the permission granted, Princess Moomal will come to the balcony of the palace to show herself to the suitor. Natir, then went to the gate, lead the suitor, through the Maze and at some place she cleverly vanished.
So, some suitors, were deprived of their wealth, lost in the Maze, some lost courage at the roaring waters of the stream, some caught the fright of the ferocious animals and some who reached the palace and fell into the ditches, were deprived of their wealth by Princess Soomal’s men. In no time, lots of treasures were accumulated and sent to Raja Nand by his daughters.
One day King Hamir Soomro of Sindh, with his three minsters, Dunver Bhatti, Senhero Dhamachani and Rano Mendho were hunting for deer in the woods, when they saw a hermit approaching them. After exchange of greetings, they enquired from him about his forlorn condition. He told them that he was a very rich man and he had set out to marry the most beautiful Princess Moomal at Kak and when he saw the Princess, he lost his senses and in spite of his best efforts, he could not reach her Palace and marry her. He was deprived of the valuable gifts; he had brought for the Princess, by her men and was thrown out of the Palace walls. His love and passion for the Princess has reduced him to this condition.
The king and his minister were surprised and became curios to see the Princess. Therefore, they started, on a journey of about two hundred miles from Umerkot to Luhano in Mirpur Mathelo. When they reached Kak, they camped outside the Kak Palace. First of all the King Hamir Soomro beat the drum and met Natir. She was told to announce the King’s arrival to Princess Moomal. She ran back to the Palace and informed the Princesses about the King and his companions. She was directed to welcome them and should see that no harm comes to them and are treated with due honour.
Natir went to the gate, welcomed the King and lead him through the maze and as usual, at some point she vanished. The King roamed about the lanes of the maze many times to find the way to the Palace but every time he ended at the entrance gate. The King’s ministers, Dunver Bhatti and Senhiro Dhamachani then tried their luck but failed to reach the Palace. When Natir came to lead the last minister Rano Mendhro, she was struck by his handsome appearance and gait. She led him through the maze and tried to escape but Rano grabbed her and led her to the roaring waters. He stopped and being suspicious, he dipped his cane in the water and found it shallow. With Natir he crossed the waters, saw the roaring and howling ferocious animal and found that these were dummies mechanically operated to create fear. He now came to the Palace, entered the hall and found seven beds ready to sit. He thought why the seven beds! So, he pressed his cane on the first one and it collapsed in the ditch below. And so did the five others. The sixth bed, he found it solid, he sat on it and ordered Natir to go and bring Princess Moomal.
When Princess Moomal with Princess Soomal and her entourage came, and saw the handsome Rano, she instantly fell in love with him and same thing happened to Rano Mendho.
Rano Mendhro sent a messenger to inform the King and his companions about his success. They were pleased and jealous at the same time an awaited his return. After two three days when he came to them, he was welcomed, but King Hamir requested him that he wanted to meet the Princess Moomal. Therefore, he was invited to the Palace. When he saw the beauty and grace of Moomal, he became intensely jealous of Mendhro and ordered him to return to Umerkot immediately.
After some time, when Rano Mendhro reurnted to Umekot and met the King , he was arrested and put into the Prison.
Days went by and when Rano did not return to Kak, Moomal became forlorn and lamented for her beloved. For Princess Soomal, her grief became unbearable, so to console Moomal, she dressed herself with Rano Mendhro’s dress and used sleep with Moomal at night.
Rano Mendhro’s sister,who was one of the queens of King Hamir Soomro, pleaded with the king for her brother and got him released from the Prison, with promise that he will not go to meet the Princess Moomal. Rano Mendhro had a very fast running she camel, so he lost no time to reach Kak at night to meet his beloved Moomal. He entered the Palace, went into the bedroom, he saw that his beloved Moomal was sleeping with a man. He curbed his anger at Moomal’s fraility, left his cane at the bedside, left the Palace and returned to Umerkot. He was very hurt and heartbroken and decided never to go to Kak again.
When in the morning Moomal and Soomal saw Rano’s cane by the bedside, they knew that Rano had come and saw them sleeping together, thinking that his Moomal was sleeping with a man. Thus, the destiny played its part, to separate the lovers from each other. It was a very tragic misunderstanding that came between the lovers. All the efforts made by Princess Moomal for Rano’s return to her, failed. Her grief and waiting for Rano was so great that she was emaciated and her beauty waned, but her hope sustained her. Days after days passed but Rano did not return to her. When she could not bear Rano’s separation, any more, she decided to end her life at the pyre.
On the other hand, Rano could not forget his beloved Moomal and his heart pined for her. When he heard about Moomal’s decision to end her life at the pyre, he relented, mounted his camel, reached Kak Palace and the lovers were united, never, never to separate again.
…………………….
Sources:
- Chronological Dictionary of Sindh by M.H.Panhwar. 1983.(http://panhwar.com/dictionary.htm)
- Tarekh-e-Registan(Part -1) by Raichand Harijan 2005.
- Rambling on.(http://deevan.blogspot.com/search?q=Moomal+Rano)
- Tarekh-e-Sindh by AllamaSyed Sulleman Nadvi. 1947(http://en.wikipedia.org/wki/Syed Sulleman Nadv ).
- The Salient Features of the Rule of Soomra Dynasty n Sindh Reasearch Articles by Research Scholar Qamar Din .M. Hayat Soomro (http://salientfeaturesofsoomrodynasty.blogspot.com/).
- Shah Jo Risalo/Moomal Rano………Fayaz Burio (http://wwwfayazburiro.com/shah/21.html)
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Friday, December 25, 2009
The Romantic Age (Part 2 of 3)
In the year 1355-56 A.D., Umar Soomro-II became the king of Sindh. The capital of his empire was Umarkot in the Thar Desert of Sindh. At that time, it was a prosperous area, rich in agriculture, arts and crafts. It was during this period that the following historical romance took place.
Sources:
- Chronological Dictionary of Sindh by M.H. Panhwar. 1983. (http://panhwar.com/dictionary.htm)
- “Tareekh-e-Sindh (History of Sindh). By Allama Syed Sulleman Nadvi. 1947. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syed_Sulaiman_Nadvi)
- “Salient Features of the Rule of Soomra Dynasty in Sindh”. Research Articles (Queen Zainab Tari/Golden period of Sindhi women/Renaissance etc.) by Research Scholar Qamar Din. M. Hayat Soomro. 2009. (http://salientfeaturesofsoomrodynasty.blogspot.com/)
- Shah Abdul Latif's Patriotism in the characters of Umar and Marvi (http://www.bukisa.com/articles/73922_shah-abdul-latifs-patriotism-in-the-characters-of-umar-and-marvi)
- Umar and Marvi (http://www.nbseminary.com/archives/umar-and-marvi)
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Friday, November 20, 2009
Romantic Age in Sindh. (part 1 of 3)
The very first Royal romance took place in the period of the Rule of Soomro Dynasty In Sindh during the reign of King Kamaluddin Chanesar Soomro (1283-84to1300-01 A.D). Prior to this, centuries back no romantic tale came to light to become a historical legend to be narrated and sung by Bards and Minstrels and later by the great poet of Sindh Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai.
King Chanesar was a handsome man and was known for his wisdom, velour, kindheartedness and romantic nature. Once he heard about the beauty of Leela daughter of a Village chieftain. When he saw her, he instantly fell in love with her. Soon they were married and lived in love and happiness.
It so happened that Raja of a neighboring State of Cutch, named Rai Khanghar had a beautiful daughter named Kaunro. She prized her beauty with rare jewels. Once her father gave her a Naulakha Haar (necklace worth nine lacs of rupees). It was studded with such sparkling jewels that when Kaunro adorned herself with it and went into a dark room, the room was illuminated with its brilliance.
Princess Kaunro was engaged to her kinsman Itmadi . He had sister named Jamuni who was kaunro’s lady in waiting. Once Jamuni in a playful mood teased the princess saying , what worth is her beauty and jewels if she had no husband like the handsome king Chanesar. Kaunro was stung to the heart and determined to become the Queen of king Chanesar, come what may. She was so possessed by her wish and determination that she told the Queen mother about it and with the permission of her father, they hatched a plan and dressed as saudagars (merchants , they reached the capital city Debal Bunder (port).
There, they approached the Grand Vazier (minister) Jakhro who was said to be a friend and favorite of King Chanesar, and implored him to plead for them to King Chanesar. Jakhro told them that Chanesar will not prefer Kaunro to Leela but they kept imploring him so much so that Jakhro to the king about them. King Chanesar replied to him that no other woman was a match to Lila.
Kaunro and her mother were very much distressed and tried to get an access to the Palace. After great efforts, they were able to have an audience with Queen Leela. They told her that they had come to her in the hope that she will take Kaunro as a lady’s maid. Leela was impressed by their bearing and good manners and permitted Kaunro to remain in the Palace as a companion to her.
In no time Kaunro gained confidence of Queen Leela and taking a chance one day, she displayed her necklace to the Queen. Leela was wonder struck by the sparkling jewels in the necklace and could not help but to request Kaunro to give her the necklace at any price. Crafty Kaunro told her that the price was a night in bed with King Chanesar. As if bewitched by the magic of the jewels, the Queen succumbed to Kaunro’s desire.
The destiny and the satan played their part.
One night when King Chanesar came to bed, he found Kaunro sitting on his bed. He was surprised at her audacity and ordered her to remove herself from his sight. But she told him about her deal with the Queen. He was shocked and enraged at Leela, wondering how Leela could have agreed to such a proposal to get the necklace. He immediately ordered Leela to leave the Palace and never show up before him.
Though he made Kaunro his Queen but Chanesar kept pinning for Leela’s love which was embedded in his heart.
When Lila came to her senses, she in her repentance tried in every way for reconciliation with her beloved Chanesar but to no avail. She came to her parents and lived in heartrending grief and sorrow. Seeing her condition, God took pity on her and a chance came by for her. The Grand Vazier Jakhro came to her one day and told her that he has fallen in love with a girl of her village and wants to marry her. She agreed to help him on condition that he will bring King Chanesar to attend his marriage ceremony. Jakhro agreed and all arrangements were made when the time came.
With all fanfare and grandeur, King Chanesar arrived with marriage procession. After the solemnization of the marriage, refreshment and entertainment began with songs and dances. Leela veiled herself and joined the singers. She sang so pathetically in her sad sweet voice riling the lover for his faithlessness causing grief and misery to his beloved, that Chanesar was touched to the heart and told the singing girl to unveil he face to him to see whether she was as beautiful and sad as her enchanting voice.
Leela unveiled her face and stood humbly before her King. Chanesar was so surprised that he stood up, his heart thumping and his eyes tender with his love for Leela. Silence prevailed for a short while. Then Chanesar cried out, “Leela. Oh! Leela, my love, come to me, sacrifice everything, take your place in the Palace and no more shall you suffer the pangs of separation ever again.”
Sources:
- Chronological Dictionary of Sindh by M.H. Panhwar. 1983. (http://panhwar.com/dictionary.htm)
- “Tareekh-e-Sindh (History of Sindh). By Allama Syed Sulleman Nadvi. 1947. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syed_Sulaiman_Nadvi)
- “Salient Features of the Rule of Soomra Dynasty in Sindh”. Research Articles (Queen Zainab Tari/Golden period of Sindhi women/Renaissance etc.) by Research Scholar Qamar Din. M. Hayat Soomro. 2009. (http://salientfeaturesofsoomrodynasty.blogspot.com/)
- “Soomras”( http://yangtze.cs.uiuc.edu/~jamali/sindh/story/node9.html)
- “The Song of the Necklace” by Tirithdas Hotchand 1961.(http://openlibrary.org/b/OL275978M/Shah_Abdul_Latif)
- Lila-Chanesar Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LiLa_Chanesar).
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Tuesday, May 26, 2009
SALIENT FEATURES OF THE RULE OF SOOMRA DYNASTY IN SINDH.
RENAISSANCE:
Renaissance in Sindh came during the reign of Soomra Dynasty from 1011 A.D. and onwards, whereas in Europe renaissance came first in Italy during 1340-1540 A.D took centuries to spread all over Europe and to British Isles.
In 1011 A.D, the first Soomra King Sardar Khafif Soomro conquered Sindh from the last Arab ruler of Ali bin Umar of Habari Dynasty. King Khafif Soomro and his successor kings Soomar, Bhoongar and Dodo-1, established their rule from the shores of the Arabian Sea to Multan,Bahawalpur, Sadikabad and Uch in the north and in the east to Rajistan and in the west to the border areas of Balochistan.
The Renaissance started from 1092 A.D. when Princess Zainab Tari Soomro became the sovereign Queen of Sindh. As a first step, attention was paid to Sindhi language, which had remained dominated by Arabic during the last three centuries. Not only reforms were made in promoting Sindhi language for good governance, but fast progress was made in Arts and Crafts, Architecture, Agriculture and music, both instrumental and vocal. Sports like horse and camel races, wrestling known “Mulluh” and other marshal sports were patronized.
LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE:
As everywhere in the world, the literature had a poetic start, so in Sindh also, the Minstrels and Bards made great strides in Sindhi Folk poetry. They composed their poetry around popular myths, folk tales, historical events and romances. A minstrel named SUMANG CHARAN stands prominent among all other minstrels and bards of the early period.
In this period, “Doha (couplets)”, “Gaha”, “Geech (marriage songs)” “Gaya (songs of Soomra women)”, forms of Sindhi poetry developed as a part of dramatic narration. Later on new dimensions were brought to Sindhi poetry, after the battle of Dodo Chanesar, the Soomra kings with the armies of Sultan Allauddin of Dehli, in 1313 A.D. near the city of “Thaar Banghar” which gave rise to Epic form of poetry in Sindh.
A minstrel named BHAGU BHAN, also a court poet of Soomra Kings, was renowned as composer and singer of Epic poetry. He was an expert in playing local musical instruments, especially “Surando”. This instrument could be called the violin of the East.
There were other master musicians and singers as Chand Fakir, Bahiro Mangto, Lado Bhag and many others from Charans, Mangtas and Manganhars tribes. From the women poets, MAI MARKHA SHAIKH was a remarkable poet of that time. They all played their part towards poetical progress in Sindhi literature during the rule of Soomra Dynasty in Sindh.
The great historical, dramatic, romances, that took place in the reign of the last few Soomra kings were, “Lila-Chanesar”, “Umar- Marui” and “Moomal-Rano”. Earlier than this, the love tales of “Sassi-Punhoon”, “Sohni- Mehaar” and “Sorath-Raidiach” were narrated in melodious poetry by minstrel and bards in public musical evenings patronized by the Soomra Kings.
Centuries afterwards, the tales of these historic romances became the subject matter of Sufistic poetry by the famous Sufi poet of Sindh, Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, who immortalized these tales. He transformed these tales into different “Surs” i.e. musical composition with classical norms. Since then great Sindhi, master musicians and singers keep singing these soulful melodies even in this 21st. Century and this will go on till Sindh and Sindhi people exist in this world.
REFERENCES:
1. “A History of Europe”. By H.A.L Fisher, Published by Edward Arnold & Co. London. 1949, page 446.
2. “Poetry before Shah Abdul Latif” article by Abdul Ghafoor. M. Soomro in “Sind Quarterly”.Vol.1/X-1981. No: 3 Karachi Sindh.
3. “Salient Features of the Rule of Soomra Dynasty in Sindh”. Research Articles(Queen Zainab Tari/Golden period of Sindhi women/Renaissance etc.) by Research Scholar Qamar Din. M. Hayat Soomro. 2009.
4. “Soomran Jo Daur” (in Sindh language) by Famous Scholar Dr.Nabi Bukhsh Khan Baloch. Published by Sindhi Adabi Board Hyderabad.1980.
5. Chronological dictionary of Sindh by M. H. Panhwar. 1983.
Further information and comments are invited from the readers.
CATEGORIES:
History of Pakistan History of Sindh Indian History Stubs
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