Destiny, Patriot and Passion.

The King Umar soomro, who ruled Sindh from year 1355 A.D, was a very handsome, kind hearted and a just king.  During his rule, the people enjoyed full liberty on equality basis and were quite happy in villages, towns and cities. His capital was Umarkot where he lived in a castle. According to the Islamic traditions, the King was very cautious in his behavior. But as a man he was a lover of beauty and grace in women. Once a man named Pohg came to his Darbar(Court) to seek audience with the King. When he was granted audience, he praised the beauty of a village girl Marui in such a way that the King was very much impressed and desired to have this jewel of extra ordinary beauty in his harem. Phog told the King that Marui lived in Malir village and could be seen filling water pitcher with other girls from a well outside the village early morning every day. The King who had a passion for beauty could not wait to see the girl, so incognito; he mounted a fast camel, guided by Phog and reached the well on the outskirts of Malir village. They found the girls filling their water pitchers from the well. Phog pointed out Marui. The girls saw the strangers approaching, thought that they were thirsty and wanted to drink water so they did not panic.  An aura of brilliance surrounded Marui; King Umar Soomro lost his senses stricken by her beauty, he asked her to marry him and she refused, he then grabbed Marui, put her on his camel and brought her to his palace in Umarkot.

Fear gripped Marui to see the palace and the finery of the Maids who attended upon her. A girl accustomed to open blue skies, green pastures and sand dunes, felt herself like a bird in a cage. She kept crying, and will not stop even though, the Maids tried their best to console her. The King sent to her clothes, jewels and delicious dishes but she did not even look at these gifts and kept asking to be sent back to her village, her parents and Maroos(village people, her kith and kin) to whom she belonged. The King was informed of this alarming situation and he came himself and talked to Marui, telling her about the desperate situation she was in and the only solution was that she should consent to marry him and become his queen. In this way, she will not only rule the country but will be able to help her parents and Maroos. Nevertheless, Marui kept crying and repeating that she must be sent back to Malir.  The vehemence of her grief was so intense that the King was alarmed least she may harm herself. The King therefore left her to the Maids and returned to the palace.

Alas! The destiny had played her part for both, the king and the Marui.  Marui’s parents, villagers and the people of the kingdom knew what had happened and nobody could do anything about it.

The king kept coming and sending gifts to Marui but she refused to accept anything and wanted to go back to her Maroos. The king had to attend to the affairs of his kingdom and forgot about Marui.

The readers will be surprised as to why a King had to wait for the consent of Marui to marry him. The answer is that as a Muslim king, he was ‘The defender of the faith’ and the faith only permitted him to marry the girl with her consent. He was powerless to avert the destiny, but he had all the power to control his passion and act according to Islamic law.

Where the king’s character is praise worthy, the patriotism of Marui, a village girl, for her country, her parents and her Maroos and her fiancé is much more praise worthy. She thwarted the King’s offer and kept her honour and that of her Maroos, intact, suffering hardships imposed upon her by the King. At last, when the King after about a year remembered Marui, he visited her. He was shocked to see how weak and emaciated she had become. He was full of regret. Marui asked him to send her body to Malir to be buried there when she dies. This cut King Umar to the core of his heart and he ordered that Marui should be released immediately and sent back to Malir and to her Maroos.

When the King’s men brought her to her parents with King’s Message that she must be treated with due respect as she was untouched by him; and that She was as chaste as when he had taken her away. Her people, even her fiancé had doubts and everybody shunned her company. She could do nothing but to cry her eyes out day and night without any result. To Check up, the King sent his men, to see whether Marui was being treated with due love and honour or not. The King’s men returned with the news that Marui was not been treated with due honour and love. The King became very angry and came to Malir, called for the village elders to decide the matter of Marui’s innocence. The village elder showed their doubts and said that the only way to prove Marui’s innocence was to take the test of fire ordeal. Marui immediately agreed to this test.  Accordingly, a long trench was dug and filled with burning coals. Marui was asked to walk from one end to the other and if no burns appear on her feet, she will be declared innocent. Without hesitating Marui walked on the burning coals from one end to the other. Her feet were examined and burns were found on her feet. It is said that King Umar Soomro also took this test there and then and no burns were found on his feet as well. Thus, both were declared innocent. Great rejoicings took place and preparation set a foot for her marriage to her fiancé Khet Sen.

There is no parallel, to the above historical act of the King Umer Soomro, in the world.

References:

1. Umar and Marvi (by Mark Naylor, Th. M.) (http://www.nbseminary.com/archives/umar-and-marvi)
2. State master Encyclopaedia – Umar Marvi (http://www.statemaster.com/encyclopedia/Umar-Marvi)
3. Shah Latif’s Patriotism in Characters of Umar and Marvi (by Khadim Hussain) (http://irfi.org/articles3/articles_4501_4600/shah%20latif%27s%20patriotismhtml.htm)
4. Shah Jo Risalo- English translation by Elsa Kazi.  (http://www.scribd.com/doc/7535206/Shah-Jo-Risalo-Elsa-Kazi)

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The conception of Sufism took place in the 8th, 9th century A.D., in Muslim mystics of Persia. It was during the reign of Soomra rulers of Sindh of 12th, 13th century A.D, that Sufi mystics came to Sindh from Persia. Soomras by then had got rid of Ismaili Shias and had become Sunny Muslims. Even so, the Magic of Sufism attracted them a lot and it pacified their behavior towards mystic Sufi saints. The Soomra rulers patronized the Sufi movement by giving out lands, Jagirs to Sufis to maintain Khankahs and Dargahs(shrines).[1][2]
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/)

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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:

1. Chronological Dictionary of Sindh by M.H.Panhwar. 1983.(http://panhwar.com/dictionary.htm)
2. Tarekh-e-Registan(Part -1) by Raichand Harijan 2005.
3. Rambling on.(http://deevan.blogspot.com/search?q=Moomal+Rano)
4. Tarekh-e-Sindh  by AllamaSyed Sulleman Nadvi. 1947(http://en.wikipedia.org/wki/Syed Sulleman Nadv ).
5. 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/).
6. Shah Jo Risalo/Moomal Rano………Fayaz Burio (http://wwwfayazburiro.com/shah/21.html)

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The stranger, who had succumbed to her beauty, saw the stoic determination behind the girl’s words and lost all propriety, grabbed the girl and mounted her on his camel and rode off into the desert of Thar with his companion. The girl kept yelling for help and with her fists kept beating the rider, but all in vain.

The other girl leaving her water pitcher unfilled from the well ran fast to the village and told the people how the stranger had taken away Marui.

Marui’s father Palini accompanied by Khet Sen, other relatives and some people of the village, followed the footsteps of the camels. They walked through the desert and at last they sighted a Castle and found that the footsteps went in through the Castle gates. They went in and discreetly enquired about the camel riders from the people and were told that the camels had gone in the direction of the gates of the royal palace.

On the way to the palace, they met Phog, a farmer working in the lands of Palini and he said to Palini, “you had refused my offer to marry your daughter Marui, but now she is in the palace of the King Umar Soomro who will now marry her. Go back to your village quietly least harm may come to you from the King’s men.”

Marui’s father and the villagers did not argue with Phog and returned to the village. When all the villagers heard that The King Umar Soomro had taken Marui away, they were very much afraid and many thought it better to leave their village and seek a safer place to live.

So, Pogh had taken his revenge from Palini for refusing his offer to marry Marui to him. It was he who had come to Umerkot and when granted audience with King Umer Soomro, he had described the beauty of Marui so eloquently that the king was surprised, that such a jewel of a girl existed in his domain and that also near his Capital Umerkot. The King was curious to see the girl and warned Phog that if the girl’s beauty failed to impress him, he shall have to face the consequences. So at night they mounted the camels, reached Malir and brought Marui to Umerkot as narrated above.

Marui was given a royal bedchamber and the chambermaids were directed for her comfort in all respects.

Marui was very perturbed and kept wailing, for her parents and her people and for her village Malir. The king came every night with costly dresses rare jewels and implored Marui to accept the gifts and consent to marry him as now this palace was her only home. Marui neither accepted the dresses nor the jewels but remained in her dress with her coarse loee (shawl) covering her head saying, “I will not dishonor this loee as it was given to me by my parents.” She kept telling King Umer Soomro, “O! Umer I belong to my parents, my betrothed Khet Sen and my people and will not disgrace myself by accepting your fineries”.

Time fled and Marui remained adamant in refusing to marry the King. The king became very angry and put her into prison in shackles. Even in Prison Marui pined for Malir and her Maroos and kept praying to God and Umer for her release from Prison and for her return to Malir.

At last, King Umer relented that he had done a great injustice to Marui by holding her against her will. He acted immediately and told Marui that he is sending his messenger to her parents to come and take her home. She was released from prison and brought to the Palace.

Her parents though afraid, came, were met with due honour and Marui was handed over to them. But they were admonished to see that no harm comes to her.

Thus, Marui reached Malir and her Maroos. But her betrothed was suspicious thinking as to how she could be chaste after remaining with the King for nearly a year. Consequently, he, the villagers, and the village girls kept a distance from her. This hurt Mari very much.

When the King heard about it, he came with his guards who surrounded the village and called for the village elders to settle the matter. He told the villagers on oath that Marui was as chaste as she was on the day he had taken her away. But if they still don’t believe him, he will undergo any test to defend his honour. Here Marui came out before the King and told him that it was her honour at stake so she will take the test. All present agreed to this and a ‘fire walk’ was proposed to prove her chastity.

Wood was collected and ignited and the fire roared. When all wood was burned and the burning red-hot coals appeared, Marui was asked to walk over the coals from one end to the other. She prayed to God and quietly walked over the coals from one side to the other. Praise be to God, neither burn marks were found on her feet nor her clothes took fire. Thus, she was absolved. The King Umer Soomro also followed her through the fire to absolve himself and he also remained unscathed.

Great celebration took place after which the King Umar Soomro returned to Umerkot.

Sources:

1. Chronological Dictionary of Sindh by M.H. Panhwar. 1983. (http://panhwar.com/dictionary.htm)
2. “Tareekh-e-Sindh (History of Sindh). By Allama Syed Sulleman Nadvi. 1947. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syed_Sulaiman_Nadvi)
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. (http://salientfeaturesofsoomrodynasty.blogspot.com/)
4. 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)
5. Umar and Marvi (http://www.nbseminary.com/archives/umar-and-marvi)

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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:

1. Chronological Dictionary of Sindh by M.H. Panhwar. 1983. (http://panhwar.com/dictionary.htm)
2. “Tareekh-e-Sindh (History of Sindh). By Allama Syed Sulleman Nadvi. 1947. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syed_Sulaiman_Nadvi)
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. (http://salientfeaturesofsoomrodynasty.blogspot.com/)
4. “Soomras”( http://yangtze.cs.uiuc.edu/~jamali/sindh/story/node9.html)
5. “The Song of the Necklace” by Tirithdas Hotchand 1961.(http://openlibrary.org/b/OL275978M/Shah_Abdul_Latif)
6. Lila-Chanesar Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LiLa_Chanesar).

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The Arabs and the Soomras had the temperament of desert people and were great warriors.

The Arabs conquered Sindh in 711-712 A.D. from Hindu Rajas and established the rule of Sharia of Islam, throughout Sindh. A vast majority of Sindhis who were idol worshippers, embraced Islam and those who chose to follow the religion of their forefathers, were allowed to do so but according to Sharia, they had to pay Jazia which was a tax for their protection etc.

Many Rajput clans who became muslims, intermarried their sons and daughters in Arab families. The women of these families, along with their muslim names, called their children with local Sindhi names also.

The Arabs ruled Sindh from A.D. 711 TO 1011 A.D. Their rule was well established. They had built their Capital City and named it Mansoora. They built mosques, Madarsas, Qazi Court for rendering justice, Army Garrisons, Roads and Caravanserais etc. They built Sea Ports and improved agricultural system. The foreign and local trades flourished.

However gradually their hold on Sindh became weaker and weaker due to the intrigues of cunning Hindu tribes to get rid of the Arabs and stop the flow of grains, cattle and other commodities to Arabia.

Ultimately Sardar Khafif Soomro, a great warrior tookover Sindh from the last Habari Arab ruler son of Ali bin Umar in 1011 A.D. And became the first undisputed king of Soomra Dynasty of Sindh.

The system of government already established by Arabs remained intact except that the Soomra kings had realised that the people of other religions i.e .Hindus, Budhists, Jains and the people of other cults needed relaxation as minorities. So as a compromise, some local customs and names were adopted for smooth governance. The decisions of their Panchaits (system of justice) and similarly the decisions taken by Jirgas of Muslim tribes were respected and accepted.

These efforts brought peace and tranquillity among the populace.

For the women, it was their golden period as they enjoyed all the rights under Islamic Sharia and were revered as mothers, daughters, sisters and housewives. The women of the Royal families were educated especially in Arabic, Sindhi and in local dialects. They were trained to rule and fight in wars to defend their Country. Even the common women were sturdy and brave, helped the warriors in the battle and treated the wounded. They excelled in Arts and Crafts. The government protected their property, trade and merchandise. They were bestowed with the highest honours when we find that the Princess Zainab Tari was made the first ever- Muslim Queen of Soomra Dynasty of Sindh, when her father King Asamuddin Daula Dodo-I retired from kingship to live a pious peaceful life.

Queen Zainab Tari Soomro ruled Sindh wisely and bravely as an independent Sovereign queen for 10 years without any interruption. In the subsequent period also, there were Soomra Queens who held the reins of the Kingdom for short periods and they ruled with the assistance of their kinsmen and the council Ministers.

The Sindhi women were undaunted, brave and patriotic. They maintained their high moral standards. They stood side by side with men in every walk of life and never shrank from their duties and sacrificed their lives for their families and their Country.

Since those times, Sindhi women have never enjoyed such freedom, power and reverence under the rule of any subsequent ruling Dynasty of Sindh, even up to this most civilised 21st Century they do not have the absolute independent equality with men in Sindh and elsewhere in the Islamic World.

In the History of Sindh, the period of the Islamic Kingdom of Soomra Dynasty, was, therefore the Golden period for the women of Sindh.

References

1. Chronological Dictionary of Sindh by M.H.Panhwar. 1983.
2. An Illustrated Historical Atlas of Soomra Kingdom of Sindh (1351 – 1011 A.D.) BY M.H Panhwar.
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. “Tareekh-e-Sindh” (History of Sindh). By Allama Syed Sulleman Nadvi 1947.

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King Dodo-I ruled Sindh for 15 years. During this period of his rule a son was born to him whom he named Shahabuddin Sanghar. While Sanghar Soomro was still a minor, Dodo-I abdicated the throne in the year 1092 A.D, in favour of his daughter Zainab Tari, to live a retired life.

Since the Prince, Shahabuddin Sanghar was a minor, the Council of Ministers and Sardars, unanimously followed the wishes of their Monarch and crowned Sanghar’s sister Princess Zainab Tari as the sovereign Queen of Sindh.

Queen Zainab Tari was a very brave and a wise queen. Her diplomacy was so successful that during her reign, neither any foreign armies invaded Sindh nor any internal conspiracies took place. Prosperity, peace and tranquillity prevailed throughout her domain.

The Capital city Thari expanded and prospered and being near the sea, trade with foreign countries flourished under her ten- yearlong rule. .

Under her tutelage, her brother, Shahabuddin Sanghar grew up to be a fine youth excelled in the art of warfare etc. and became competent to rule the kingdom. Therefore after the tenth year of her rule, under rule of succession, she declared, Sanghar as the king of Sindh. Consequently, Sanghar was crowned as the Sovereign King of Sindh and Queen Tari retired to lead a family life.

Since the ancient times the Sindh was ruled by Hindu Rajas (kings) and later by the Persians and Greek invaders from the North and later by the Arabs. Then the Sindhi rulers of Soomra Dynasty succeeded the Arabs and ruled their country for 500 hundred year? Then the Sindhi rulers of Sama Dynasty succeeded them and they ruled for about 200 years.

Except Queen Tari Soomro, no other queen ever ruled Sindh as an absolute ruler. Therefore, she has the distinction of being the first and the last Sindhi Queen from ancient to present times. This also proves that women were treated with honour, respect and dignity and were raised to the highest position as per sharia in this Islamic Kingdom of Soomra Dynasty in Sindh.

REFERENCES:

1. Chronological Dictionary of Sindh by H.M.Panhwar. 1983.
2. An Illustrated Historical Atlas of Soomra Kingdom of Sindh (1351- 1011 A.D.). By H.M.Panwhar.
3. “Tareekh-e-Sindh” (History of Sindh). By Allama Syed Sulleman Nadvi. 1947.
4. “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.

Copyright – All rights are reserved and protected