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They hate love legend Mirza Sahiban

By Wasim Ahmad Qadri

JARANWALA: Mirza-Sahiban is a treasure of Punjabi literature and is a romantic tragedy, but the people living in the surrounding villages of the hometown of the love legends abhor their presence in the area.

The mausoleum of Miraza-Sahiban, in depilated condition, is located in Donanabad Union Council in Jaranwal. Local men do not let their women visit the mausoleum fearing they might follow the footsteps of Mirza. They cite a number of eloping incidents took place around the Mirza Sahiban’s mausoleum.

Rai Shahid Kharal, the Danabad Union Council nazim, said the caretaker of the mausoleum, Peelu Mirasi’s daughter had eloped with her friend fifty years ago. He said the caretaker died of this news, and his cemetery was situated near Mirza-Sahibain’s shrine. He said after this incident, people were convinced that visits by women to the mausoleum increased their chances of eloping and thus they banned women from visiting the place.

Hayat Kharal, from 384 GB Jhandwali village said Akram alias Akri’s daughter eloped with her lover five years ago when she returned from Mirza-Sahibain’s shrine.

Sahadat Ali Kharal, a resident, told Daily Times that their forefathers believed that the “dirt cemetery of Mirza-Sahiban” should be demolished because many women would become immoral. Qasoo Kharal, another resident, said the memory of Mirza and Sahiban must be erased.

According to history representatives of Danabad villege, the story started during the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan’s era, when a child was born in the Clan of Kharral Jatts, in the region of Danabad, Nanakana Sahib.

The child was yet to become the greatest legend among the race of his people, we know by the name of Jatts. He was named Mirza Kharral and grew up to be popularly known as Mirza Jatt among his folks.

Mirza and Sahiban who were cousins and childhood playmates, fell in love with each other. But when Sahiban was about to be forcibly married to Tahar Khan by her parents, without any hesitation she sent a taunting message to Mirza, whom she loved, to his village Danabad, through a Brahmin called Kammu. “You must come and decorate Sahiban’s hand with the marriage henna.” This is the time to protect your self-respect and love, keep your promises and sacrifice your life for truth, she asked Mirza.

Mirza who was a young man, made Sahiba sit on his horse and rode away. But on the way, as he lies under the shade of a tree to rest for few moments, the people who were following them with swords caught them.

Sahiba was a virtuous and a beautiful soul who did not desire any bloodshed. She did not want her hands drenched in blood instead of henna. She thought Mirza could not miss his target, and if he strikes, her brothers would surely die. Before waking up Mirza, Sahiban puts away his quiver on the tree. She presumes on seeing her, her brothers would feel sorry and forgive Mirza and take him in their arms. But the brothers attack Mirza and killed him. Sahiban took a sword and slaughtered herself.

Countless folk songs of Punjab narrate the love tale of Sassi and Punnu. Women sing these songs with great emotion and feeling, as though they are paying homage to Sassi.

Mirza-Sahibain and their Bakki’s graves are located at 484 GB Jahndwali in Jaranwala tehsil.

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