I
was in Jaisalmer Fort with guide, who was telling me the glorious past of this
fort.A question flashed in my mind and asked him “Jaisalmer is situated in Thar
Desert. Is there any legendary love story “He promptly replied yes there is a
story of Moomal andRano.Wow: I got a new story to share with readers, my
friends.
So
I am posting this legendary love story of Moomal and Rano , as
narrated by the guide.This story is of that time when the great India was one
subcontinent.It dates back to sixteenth century.During that period this area
was known as Sindh province, the two cities “UMER KOT’ now in PAKISTAN and;
JAISALMER” in INDIA.
In India it is called a
love story of Rajasthan, in Pakistan it is known as a love story of Sindh. Rano
is now sung during mehfils of Pakistan. It is most frequently requested musical
piece in a mehfil of kafi genre.
Shah
Abdul Latif Bhittai (1689 – 1752).A noted Sindhi Sufi
scholar, mystic, saint, and poet, widely considered to be the greatest Muslim
poet of the Sindhi language.He has also compiled love story of Mumal and Ranoin
his collection of poems” Shah Jo Risalo”-- or Poetry of Shah. This is one of
the most popular tragic romances from Sindh, Pakistan.
Introduction
of main characters of this story.
1.
Moomal Rathore:--She was a
legendary gorgeous and intelligent princess. Living in Kak Palace, weaved on a
web of magic. Built in village Ludarva (Jaisalmer-India).
2. Rano
Mahendro:- A minister in royal court of Umerkot (now in Pakistan)
3. Soomal:--
Sister of moomal.Soomal was too beautiful but most cleavers.
4. Hamir
Soomro:--He was ruler of Umerkot (now in Pakistan)
During
sixteenth century in the Sukkar district of Sindh near Mirpur Mathelo (Now in
Pakistan). Gujjar chieftains Nand used to rule over that area.He had nine
daughters but amongst all Moomal was most beautiful and Soomal was most clever.
And
Love Story Starts As-----
The
reputation of this palace and of Mumal’s dazzling beauty soon became a legend.
Once Rana Mahendra Sodha, the ruler of UmerKot in Sindh (now in Pakistan),
reached the banks of the river while hunting. He too was attracted by the
magical Kak. From the window of her palace Mumal saw Mahendra and his friend
resting by the river bank, so she sent water and some refreshments for them.
She invited them to rest in the palace till next morning.
Like others, Mahendra also had to cross the
labyrinths and other hurdles to reach the palace. He was an intelligent and
courageous man which led him to succeed in reaching the palace, unharmed. Mumal
was very impressed and decided to accept him as her consort. Mahendra spent the
night at the palace and returned to Umer Kot in the morning.
Eventually
their love blossomed. Mahendra found a camel which was fast enough to cover
long distance from Umer Kot to Kak & back in few hours. Each night Cheetal,
the camel, used to take him to spend time with Mumal and they would return to
Umer Kot by dawn. He could not keep his mind off Mumal and would keep humming “हाले
नी मूमल
म्हारी अमराणे
रे देश”
(Come with me to my Umer Kot, Oh Mumal).
One day, when Mahendra’s family got to know
of his love for Mumal, they ordered to break the legs of Cheetal. That night
another camel was arranged for him by his friends. The camel was not as fast
and experienced as Cheetal. Mahendra didn’t have any option and started his
journey. After a while he whipped the camel in order to make her go fast. The
camel started running. In the dark Mahendra couldn’t figure out the direction
and the result was that he reached Barmer instead of Jaisalmer.
At
the same time at Medhi, Mumal kept waiting for Mahendra and started playing
games with her sisters. One of her sisters Sumal dressed like a man. Time
passed and they were tired and sleepy. Sumal slept in man’s attire with Mumal
on her bed.
At Barmer, on realizing his mistake,
Mahendra raced towards Jaisalmer and when he reached Kak Mahal, he mistook
Sumal as Mumal’s paramour. Disgusted, he left his riding cane besides Mumal’s
bed and returned to Umer Kot. He was highly distraught that Mumal had cheated
on him.
Mumal
pleaded Mahendra to forgive her but he ignored her requests. To prove her
innocence, Mumal set a fire and jumped in it. When Mahendra came to know of
this, he rushed to the place where Mumal was already in flames; he joined her
to be consumed by the fire along with Mumal.
And that was the end of a fervent legendary
love story of Mumal and Rano that blossomed in thar Deserts. It is said: Death does not kill love, nor
do prisons prevent love!
Posted
by Engr Maqbool Akram with help of story available on net and photos are also
from sources of net with thanks.