Sassi Punnu Sassi Punnu is one of the seven popular tragic romances of the Sindh and four of the

most popular in Punjab. The other six are Umar Marvi, Momal Rano and Sohni Mahiwal, Laila Chanesar, Sorath Rai Diyach, Noori Jam Tamachi commonly known as Seven Queens of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai.Sassui Punnu was written by the Sindhi and Sufi poet, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai in (1689-1752). Sassi Sassi was the daughter of the King of Bhamboor (it is in Sindh whose ruins can be seen today). Upon Sassis birth, astrologers predicted that she was a curse for the royal familys prestige. The Queen ordered that the child be put in a wooden box and thrown in the river Indus. A washerman of the Bhambour village found the wooden box and the child in the box. The washerman believed the child was a blessing from God and took her home. As he had no child of his own, he decided to adopt her. Punnu Punnun Khan, the son of King Mir Hoth Khan (Hoth, a famous Baloch tribe in Makran (Balochistan). King Hoth was son of Mir Jalal Khan main Baloch leader and elder of Talpur, Rind, Lashari, Hoth, Khosa and Marri people of today) of Kicham (Kech). Sassi and Punnu meet When Sassi became a young girl, she was as beautiful as the fairies of heaven. Stories of her beauty reached Punnu and he became desperate to meet Sassi. The handsome young Prince of Makran therefore travelled to Bhambour. He sent his clothes to Sassis father (a washerman) so that he could catch a glimpse of Sassi. When he visited the washermans house, they fell in love at first sight. Sassis father was dispirited, hoping that Sassi would marry a washerman and no one else. Sassis father asked Punnu to prove that he was worthy of Sassi by passing the test as a washerman. Punnu agreed to prove his love. While washing, he tore all the clothes as, being a prince, he had never washed any clothes. he thus failed the agreement. But before he returned those clothes, he hid gold coins in the pockets of all the clothes, hoping this would keep the villagers quiet. The trick worked, and Sassis father agreed to the marriage. Punnus brothers Punnus father and brothers were against the his marriage to Sassi (Punnu being a prince and she being a washermans daughter), and so, for their fathers sake, Punnus brothers traveled to Bhambhoor. First they threatened Punnu but when he didnt relent, they tried more devious methods.Punnu was surprised to see his brothers supporting his marriage and on the first night, they pretended to enjoy and participate in the marriage celebrations and forced Punnu to drink different types of wines. When he was intoxicated they carried him on a camels back and returned to their hometown of Kech Makran. The lovers meet their end The next morning, when Sassi realized that she was cheated, she became mad with the grief of separation from her lover and ran barefoot towards the town of Kich Makran. To reach it, she had to cross miles of desert. Alone, she continued her journey until her feet were blistered and her lips were parched from crying Punnu, Punnu! The journey was full of dangerous hazards, which lead to her demise.

Punnus name was on Sassis lips throughout the journey. She was thirsty, there she saw a shepherd coming out of a hut. He gave her some water to drink. Seeing her incredible beauty, dirty lustful thoughts came into his mind, and he tried to force himself on Sassi. Sassi ran away and prayed to God to hide her and when God listened to her prayers, land shook and split and Sassi found herself buried in the valley of mountains. When Punnu woke he was himself in Makran he could not stop himself from running back to Bhambhoor. On the way he called out Sassi, Sassi! to which the shepherd replied. The shepherd told Punnu the whole story. Then Punnu also lamented the same prayer, the land shook and split again and he was also buried in the same mountain valley as Sassi. The legendary grave still exists in this valley. Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai sings this historic tale in his sufi poetry as an example of eternal love and union with Divine.
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Posted by Balochi Linguist on August 17, 2011 in Balochi Classical Literature

The Story of Shay Murid and Hani 27MAY

By: Longworth Dames Murid and Chakar were both betrothed. They went out hunting and became very thirsty. Then Chakar said, Go to my betrothed and drink water with her, and I will go to yours. Chakar came to Murids betrothed, and Murid to Chakars. She gave him water to drink and he became very sick. When Chakar went to the other woman (Murids betrothed), she put straw into the cup and then gave him to drink, so that he was not sick. In the evening, when the people returned to their homes, both drank together, and Murid lost his senses from drunkenness. Then Chakar said, Give me thy bride/ and Murid replied, She is thine. Then Chakar said, All the Rinds are witnesses that Murid has given me his bride ; and he also said, To-morrow I will celebrate my marriage. When Chakur had been married Murid left that land, and his father searched over the whole country that he might behold him again. Chakar had then settled at Fatehpur, and Murids father had searched over the whole country without finding him, and said : Si sal hamodha gar khuthaun Af gharoa dohithauri Main sar syah-saren kirman jatha Fatehpure khohl kilat Suny bath sunya rawath Nodhe mawarathi zare Binge rawant ma bhana. That is: Thirty years have I wasted there carrying waterpots on my head, so that black-headed worms have attacked my head. May the hill-fort of Fatehpur be deserted, may it lie waste. May rain-clouds never bring it wealth, may dogs howl in its cattle pens ! And since then rain never falls in Fatehpur ! [The verses

given above are evidently part of another poem on the same subject, and resemble the curse with which this poem concludes.] COMMENCEMENT OF BALLAD. The Rinds held an assembly below Mir Chakars tent, and Mir Chakar said, How many times was there lightning last night? No one gave any information. Sardar, there was neither cloud nor storm. How can there be lightning, after the storm is over, on a fine winters night ? Then said Murid the Mad : Let not my lord be angry, and I will tell thee the truth : If my manly body be not destroyed, I will give a true token. Last night it did lighten thrice. The third time it was but feeble, but twice it blazed out. Then said Chakar the Amir : Well done ! son of Mubarak, with thy unworthy stones about Chakars moonfaced lady/ Then Mubarak pulled off his shoe and hit Murid on the head, saying, Leave off, Murid, thy evil deeds and shameful works with Chakars moon-faced lady. Chakar is not a man of bad reputation. At his call a thousand armed Rinds ride forth on sturdy horses. Then said Murid the Mad : Oh, my excellent father, he is but Chakar, and I am a shaikh. I too am not a man of bad reputation. He rides out with a thousand horsemen, and I with my own companions. It were well he had not seen my fair one, the par! ; the palace-shaker, with bare head in her narrow hut, the maiden of towns and camps, Hani of the seamless garments. For she belongs to me, who am ready to answer for her, though I wander and am lost, and have but a Kuran with me. I am not in chains and fetters, nor are my hands confined in iron manacles. I flee at the disgrace of the blacksmiths touch. When the breath of the south wind blows I am, as it were, a madman. Bring no forge for me, no mulla with many documents. There is no plague among my cattle. I will not become either mulla or munshl, nor will I say many prayers. And, with hands joined and head bent, I swear that on account of that blow from Mubaraks shoe I will cut off my hair, and will at once depart and go to a far land. I will lay down my noble weapons, put off my rustling clothes from my body, and I give them to Mir Mando, Hanis royal father. Fair Hani will keep them white from the moisture of storms and clouds. My carpet I give to All, my crossbow to Isa. And I leave my horses tied up, tethered inside my hut, I leave them to Mir Chakar. Myself I will go with a cubit of cloth for a waist cloth. I am a mendicant and beggar, and go with those men, the naked brotherhood; I will go as a pilgrim to salute the blessed shrine of the prophet. Thirty years will I pass thus, thirty years and part of a year, and one day I will return and come to a camp of the Rinds/ The Rinds had set up a mark below Mir Chakars tent. Now let the faqlr shoot arrows at the mark. When he drew the bow the wood snapped. The Rinds then guessed and perceived that it was Murid of the embroidered garments, the lord of the iron-bow: Bring Murids bow-string. They brought his iron-bow to him ; he kissed it and laid it on his eyes ; the unstrung bow he strung. With the first arrow he hit the mark, with the second arrow he hit the notch of the first Then the Rinds knew him that he was certainly Murid of the embroidered clothes, the lord of the iron-bow. Then they placed Hani and sweet-scented Murid in a house. Murid, as mad as a mast camel, bit Hani on the cheek and her two soft lips. Then said Murid the Mad : Hani, as long as I had need of thee there was no kindness in thy heart of stone, thou wast with thy lover, Mir Chakar. Now the powder is spilt from the pan ; I am not in a fit state for thee. Do not separate me from

my companions. From a seeing man do not make me blind. As soon as Murid had turned his back the Rind women began to lament, and Hani said to her companions : I will put my sari around my neck and go twenty paces after him. It may be I shall turn Murid back from the naked brotherhood, and if I do not succeed I will get a token from his hand. Then Hani called after him. This was the answer of Murid : May Chakar the Amir be destroyed, may thy house be burnt with fire, may thieves carry off thy horses. (If I consent) may the token of my hand be destroyed, may my body be laden with the burden of sin.
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Posted by Balochi Linguist on May 27, 2011 in Balochi Classical Literature

The Death of Doda

27MAY
By: Longworth Dames The good woman Samml came with her cows to Doda for protection. Ramen, a youth who dwelt near by, saw Sammls cows ; the Children of Mlral (i.e. the Buledhls) raided them, and wickedly drove them away. In the first watch of the day the alarm was raised. Doda was lying asleep when his wise mother came and roused him, saying :I bore you for nine months in my womb, and for three years I suckled you. Now, go forth in pursuit of the cattle, for who is so swift of foot as you ? and either collect and bring them back or bring destruction on your own head ! And his wifes mothen with great dignity, said, Men who promise to give protection do not lie asleep in the day-time. Generous Doda arose, and thus spoke to his mareSurkhang, in excuse The lady has brought you cold water on her head, and a relish of fat sheeps tails; lentils in a broad dish she has given you, and for your hearts content grain in a red nosebag, and water in a fine bucket. Now is the time of Dodas need; I go forth through the craft of my foes. That day (for which I reared you) has come to-day, and somewhere we must overtake the cattle. In a place below two cliffs, where the water flows through the gorge close to Garmaf, Doda the Brave overtook them, and fell upon them, the young man, his mothers beloved son. The Angel of Death brought him thither, him and Jam Umar together, with Surkhl his mare of the light paces. A youth struck him from one side, and Doda fell from his mares saddle on to the plain, and together with Jam Umar he died there, with red boots on his feet and glittering rings on his hands ! Balach son of Hasan sings: the Gorgezh Baloch sings : the avenging Baloch sings. Take away Blvaraghs black-pointed sword ; how has he become as a foolish boy, and taken leave of his childish wits! He came and plundered the cattle which grazed in Dodas charge on Mir Hamals sandy waste, leaving the owner enraged, the grey tiger in his wrath. For me and you, oh my enemies, such thefts were not to be carried out, picking out and counting the cattle! You saw Doda in his wrath when he came raging after you ; he was not in a pleasant place. You killed his mare, striking shoulder and hip-joint ; blood bubbled from her mouth. Doda followed on foot, wearing red boots on his feet ; your horsemen overtook and slew him. You slew my brethren, Rals, Chandram, Kawarl the bold ; you killed fiery Rals, and had no fear of what was to follow! Doda, thy lordly armour, thy harness and kingly weapons, thy feathered arrows the plunderers divided ; the makers of butter carried away thy helmet! The women in the camp were scattered ; they saw clearly what had happened. Tears of blood they shed on their shoulders

and bodices which were wet with their grief. ye, who have slain this man, the Baloch women are left without their lord, and wander about outside. I see the bay mares running loose, roaming about turned out of their stalls ; I see the children naked, the women go to earn their bread in dreams, no lover comes to comb their hair and spread it out over their shoulders. My lordly body grows hot at the sight like a log of ^afar-wood 1,charcoal, like wax it melts and wastes away in its soft outer garment. I sit and fight with my heart, and my heart thus answers me : Balach is a tiger, a hailstorm. That wealth which Blvaragh carried will never become fair clothes and raiment, nor will he be able to give away in presents much of that cloth and Khorasan coats. This is my Chiefs token : Dodas gold-hilted sword and brave Ralss tigressmare on Blvaraghs bull-neck ! Balach sings: in reply to Blvaragh he sings. The mountains are the Baloches forts, the peaks are better than an army ; the lofty heights are our comrades, the pathless gorges our friends. Our drink is from the flowing springs, our cup the leaf of the dwarf-palm, our bed the thorny brush, the ground we make our pillow. My white sandals are my steed, for my sons you may choose the arrows, for my sons-in-law the pointed dagger, for my brethren the broad shield, for my father the widewounding sword. I and Nakhlfo went forth, yesterday evening we went down to the valley, and in a village we saw a bard, a cunning man in singing songs. We tarried awhile in the assembly and heard the bard sing a new song containing a taunt from Blvaragh. Blvaragh ! Thy wits are in thy head, thou knowest that to flee is not for a Baloch. The blood of seven of mine is on thy head, and on the band of thy young brothers. The deaths of Summen and Doda are on thee, of Chandram and Kawari the bold, of Tota and sweet Murid, and of Rals the foremost in battle. Thou slewest them, and hadst thou no after-fear? I have not made war like a jackal, but like a tiger have I burst through my foes. I have no bay mare worth a thousand rupees, nor any swollen army, but I swear on my head that every night I will burst forth like a storm-cloud in the Rains, I will come forth to fight when your young men are all sleeping in their huts in the arms of their fair ones, and your priceless mares are all tethered in their sheds. Blvaragh ! Thou dost not speak as one of understanding when thou sayest in the assembly, The death of Balach by Gods will will come one day through a trick of mine/ Blvaragh ! How many jugglers, such even as thou art, has Nakhlfo slain with his blade through Gods help, how many have we devoured with the edge of the sword ? 1, The Kahir (Prosopis spicigera) gives out great heat in burning.
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Posted by Balochi Linguist on May 27, 2011 in Balochi Classical Literature

The Story of Doda and Balach 27MAY

By: M. Longworth Dames

There was a certain Buledhi who dwelt in the land of Sangsila; he had much cattle but no son. And in that place he grew a crop of millet,1 One day as he walked round his millet he saw that a herd of cattle had been eating it. He searched for their tracks on all four sides that he might see whence they had come, but not a single track went outside the embankment which surrounded the field,2 although the herd had grazed on the millet inside. The next day when he came he found that the millet had been eaten again, and again he followed the tracks, but they did not go outside. Then he made a smoky fire and left it burning by the millet, that the cows might come close to the fire, as is the custom of cows. On the third day when he came he saw that the cattle after grazing on the millet had lain down by the fire. Then he knew in his heart that this herd had come from heaven. There were nineteen cows ; he drove them off and brought them home, and gave them to his wife, whose name was Samml, saying, This herd is thine, for when I die my heirs will not give thee my other cattle. Then he moved away from that place, and came to live under the protection of Doda Gorgezh, and said to him, When I die let my heirs carry away the rest of my cattle, but this herd is Sammis. Do not then give them up to anyone, they are under thy protection. One day Sammls husband died, and the heirs came and demanded the cattle. Doda gave them all the rest of the cattle, but not Sammls herd. The next day the Buledhls came and raided that herd. Doda pursued and overtook them at Garmaf Daf, and there they fought.3. Doda was killed by the Buledhls, his tomb is still there. Then the Buledhls came again and raided a herd of camels belonging to Rals, son of Dodas uncle. Rals, with his brethren Kawri, Chandram, Tota, Murld and Summen pursued and overtook them and gave them battle, but they were all slain there together with Rals. Only one of the brethren was left, Balach, a poor-spirited man. Balach then went to the shrine of Sakhi Sarwar, and for three years he fetched water (carried water pots) for the pilgrims. After three years were past, one night he saw a vision. Sakhi Sarwar came and roused Balach, saying, Go and fight with the Buledhls. He arose and bought him a bow, and at night he left it unstrung. When he arose in the morning, behold, his bow was strung. Then Sakhi Sarwar gave him leave to depart, and said, Now thy bow is strung, go and smite the enemy. So Balach went and waged war upon the Buledhls. He had but one companion, Nakhlfo his brother. (They had the same father, but Nakhlfos mother was a slave- girl.) No one else was with him. They fought in the Sham and Nesao, in Barkhan, Syahaf and Kahan,4. for in those days all that country belonged to the Buledhls. When men lay down to rest at night in their homes they would discharge their arrows at them ; three-score and one men they slew.Then the Buledhis left that country and settled in the plains. 5. When Balach became old he lived at Sangslla, and a band of Buledhi horsemen came and slew him there, and lost one of their own men as well. It happened in this wise. When the Buledhls came they said to Balach, Balach, pay that money that you carried off! Balach replied, Come nearer, I am deaf. So they came nearer and again demanded it. Then Balach said, In the days when I had money you never asked for it, but now that it has all dropped away from me you come and demand it. He had a razor in his hand and he plunged it into the belly of the Buledhi, saying, There is your money, and killed him. Then they fell upon Balach and slew him. It was thus that the Gorgezh and the Buledhls fought. Refereance: 1.^Zurth ; the Arabic dhurrah, Indian jawar (Holcus Sorghum). 2.Every field is surrounded by a lath or embankment to keep in the water which is let in for irrigation when the hill-torrents are in flood.

3. This is the subject of the first of the ballads which follow. Garmaf Daf is the Hotwater Pass. There are several places which bear the name Garmaf. This one is near Sangsila, in the Bugti country. 4. That is in the country now occupied by the Mam, Bugti, Khetran and Gurcham tribes. 5. The Buledhls, or Burdis, still live in northern Sindh, near the Indus.
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Posted by Balochi Linguist on May 27, 2011 in Balochi Classical Literature

Bivaragh and the King of Qandahars Daughter 27MAY

By: M. Longworth Dames Blvaragh son of Bahar, one of the principal actors in the struggle between Mir Chakur and Gwaharam, is the hero. He tells the tale in the first person, and relates how he abducted the daughter of the King of Qandahar, and brought her back to Sevi. Also how he joined Gwaharam instead of his own Chief Mir Chakur, and how he pacified the Turkish King who came to take revenge. The King alluded to is probably Shah Beg son of Zun-nun Beg Arghun who ruled at Qandahar at this period, and was frequently at war with the Baloches. It is probable that Blvaraghs reason for taking refuge with Gwaharam rather than with Mir Chakur was that the Rinds were in alliance with the Turks, and unlikely therefore to give him any countenance in his escapade. For Blvaraghs genealogy,In the ballads relating to the outbreak of the Rind and Lashari war he figures as the moderate man who endeavoured to restrain Mir Chakurs rage. Modern tradition holds that Blvaragh had a son named Gishkhaur by his marriage with the King of Qandahars daughter, who is the ancestor of the Gishkhauri tribe. Blvaragh son of Bahar sings : the lofty Rind sings : of his love he sings : how he brought in the princess he sings. In Qandahar is a garden, an ancient place, the abode and dwelling of kings. Wandering through the crowded streets I came upon a way, and at a window I espied a fair lady. I let forth a complaint from my helpless heart. In Persian words the fair one called to me, Come quickly, with that form, bring your flashing sword and your trusty shield. I went, trusting in God, with my royal steed. I repeated a text from the Quran (as a charm), a powerful word from Gods revelation. Distressed and dark in soul I went, through desire of my loves golden necklace. Under the palace I tied up my mare, and I climbed the walls, driving in iron pegs. I entered the private rooms, and with joyful heart I perceived my lady reclining on a golden couch. Seven nights and seven days I abode with my love. Then said to me the enchantress, the beauty and crown of her companions, Blvaragh, my prince of chieftains, my King bears great love for me, look that he does not secretly receive tidings of our doings, when he will leave neither of us two alive and well. If you have any manliness within your loin-string, it were well to carry me away to your own land. I understood my loves speech, and she left all her possessions and her golden couch. When we came to the foot of the palace wall I unloosed my mare thence, and seated my love on the black mares shoulder. I turned my face back to the Bolan, and came to the walls of Sevi fort. Then said my fair enchantress : Bivaragh, my chief of chiefs, thou saidst to me : I have mighty armies. How many are thy Rinds swift mares? How many are thy Mlrs bands of young warriors ? Then I replied to my love : Forty thousand men are Mir Chakurs warriors, thirty thousand draw the sword for Gwaharam. Then said my lady Granaz : Which is thy friend, and which thy foe ? And I replied to my love : Chakur is my friend, Gwaharam my foe. Then said my lady Granaz :

Let us go to Gwaharam the sword-wielder, for Chakur does not take his ease at his home. So we came to Gwaharam the sword-wielder, saying : Gwaharam ! Prince of Chiefs ! we have not halted till we reached you ; the spoils of the King are with us. If you will keep me I will abide with you ; if you will not keep me I will look for shelter elsewhere. Then said Gwaharam the sword-wielder : Come! you are welcome, Mir of the Baloches, with your love to stay in welfare and safety. He arose and showed us a place to dwell in, he cleared for us a palace in the Chiefs fort. He gave us a bedstead and spread out the rugs, cups of silver, platters of gold. From one side came trays of pulao, from one side came roast meat on spits, from one side came flagons of wine. Neither did I eat of the food, nor my love. Most of it we threw away under the walls, and a little we left upon the dishes, and my lady Granaz said to me : Blvaragh ! you have become a Lashari. What saying is this ? You sit on a mat and are filled with wrath. I replied to my love : I will not eat, for the salt (of an enemy) is not good. That salt will one day become unlawful. I called a shopkeeper from the town, and a Minmin (i.e. a Khoja, a Muhammadan shopkeeper) came at once. If you wish to eat I will bring you something. Bring some sweet scents that we may inhale them, bring garments that we may dress ourselves therewith. Seven or eight days I kept a tailor working, I became indebted in seven hundred pieces of silver.1 Then Gwaharam the sword-wielder took counsel, and sent a messenger (telling him to speak) thus : Tell Chakur the Ruler that a Chiefs business is not to play nor to act like a boy. Blvaragh has brought down agreat burden, he has the spoil of the King with him.The Kings army passed out of the Bolan Pass, there was no room for the Amirs tents. The sun rose with battlements of gold, and Mir Chakurs army set forth. Mir Chakur and Gwaharam took counsel together, and sent out the swift horsemen of the Rinds. Go forth ; circle round the head of the army and return (bringing news). Blvaragh said : I myself will be your scout, be on the watch for three nights and days. I went forth trusting in God with my own royal steed. I came to the army, and fetched a compass about it, and tied up my mare close to the army. I repeated some powerful verses from the Qurans, some mighty secrets of the Almighty. I went on with my glittering blade, and came close up to the Kings tent. I was seen by Jago Khan the Turk, and I drew my glittering blade from its sheath, and struck such a fearless blow that it passed through like lightning in a thunderstorm. The King (God) protected me, and made my way clear. I cut through the strong tent ropes, and went through carrying my head on my shoulders. I came and saw the King of the army lying on a Turkish bedstead. I took the Turk by the hand and roused him (saying) : I am that Blvaragh who has been spoken of. It is I who have done this work of Shaitan. To forgive is the heritage of Kings. If thou dost not forgive me it is in thy own hands. That is thy sword, this is my neck. He called his trusty men for counsel, and for a little while they discussed the matter. Then the King presented me with a swift thundering steed, and clothed my body in red silk. The army struck its tents with stout ropes, and turned back by the Bolan Pass. I came to the fort of SevI and told what had happened in the Rind assembly. No man was held to quarter through me, nor had the Rinds a heavy battle to fight, nor the Lasharl to join in war. With joyful heart I stay with my love, and sport with her golden necklace. 1 The coin alluded to is doubtless the dirhem of the Taimuri dynasties, weighing about 80 grains