On this day in the year 1589, Dalla Bhatti was executed at the age of 42 for rebellion during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar.
It is known from the traditions that Dalla Bhatti’s grave is in Lahore. His real name was Mian Muhammad Abdullah while his nickname was Dalla Bhatti. He is also called the true son of Punjab and every year his fans visit his grave to offer flowers and special events are organized for him.
Dalla Bhatti is equally popular on both sides of the border and the Lohri festival is also celebrated in his memory.
Before the conversation on social media on his death anniversary, few know what Dalla Bhatti’s story is and for what crime he was hanged.
In these popular folk songs of Indian Punjab, the name of Dalla Bhatti from the city of Pindi Bhattian in Pakistan is being repeated again and again.
What is the story of Dalla Bhatti?
Former Punjab University professor Zubair Ahmad told BBC on the occasion of the Lohri festival in 2021 to commemorate Dalla Bhatti that according to traditions, two Hindu girls, Sundri and Mandri, were kidnapped by Mughal Emperor Akbar’s men. Dalla Bhatti saved him when he tried.
It is also said that the two girls were sisters and daughters of a Pandit. Dalla Bhatti got them married and then gave thanks on this occasion and Dalla told that daughters are sent away like this.
Professor Zubair Ahmad says that there are also traditions that Dulla Bhatti’s father was also arrested by Akbar Badshah’s people and then his mother went to Lahore in search of her son.
According to him, ‘Dule’s story used to be a parable of the Sikhs in the 18th century, which made it famous. He was related to Sikhs and Hindus. Then when the canal system came in Punjab, the story of Dule woke up again. Dule’s name is in our folk songs.’
They say that Dule’s name was not in the recorded history of kings, but in folklore and oral history, his name is written on it.
Professor Zubair says that Najam Hussain Syed wrote a play ‘Takht Lahore’. Now many books have been written on it. Dulla is now a familiar name in history.
Professor Zubair says that it is not known whether the grave discovered in Lahore is his or not, and nothing can be said with certainty, but according to the traditions, Dulla Bhatti was hanged near Mochi Gate and his grave is in Mayani Sahib Cemetery in Lahore. in.
But why were they executed?
According to Prof. Zubair Ahmad, Dulla Bhatti of Pindi Bhatti refused to pay taxes, abiana, and Shah Hussain, a well-known poet of his time, was also present when he was hanged.
This verse is recited in reference to Dulla Bhatti:
‘Main purahan dili de kangre
As long as the throne is in Lahore
(I will tear down the sides of the minaret, till the throne of Lahore is Mughal Shahi is my fight.
Rashid Chaudhry, who has a close eye on history, said that the incidents that are heard related to Dalla Bhatti are oral. According to him, the proof of Dalla Bhatti’s incident is found in Mughal manuscripts, but they do not include Dalla Bhatti’s position as to why he did this revolt.
Referring to history and legends, Rashid Chaudhry said that Dulla Bhatti was himself the revenue collector of Sandalbar from the time of Humayun and when he refused to collect the revenue, he was accompanied by Khushal Khan Khattak of Khushalgarh.
It should be noted that Bar used to be the area which was not included in the Mughal rule. That is, such an area was outside, it was called a bar. They were also called non-territorial and revenue was collected here mostly by looting. The British added canals to the bars in a regular arrangement.
According to Rashid Chaudhry, the existence of the Mughals in this part was not like this, but to crush movements like Dalla Bhatti, Akbar himself sat on the throne of Lahore for 14 years and then finally arrested Dalla Bhatti and publicly executed him. According to him, the account of this general execution is also available in Mughal history because Akbar’s nobles were very literate and the practice of writing court history was also common at that time.
According to Rashid Chaudhry, the stories connected with the Lohri incident show that Dalla Bhatti foiled the Mughal governor’s attempt to forcefully stop the marriage of a Hindu girl and then himself secured the girl’s marriage, which in Punjabi The songs are also popular.
According to Rashid Chaudhry, the name of Dalla Bhatti was not liked for a long time, but later Punjabi movements arose who realized that Dalla Bhatti was actually a son of Punjab who stood before the Mughals for the freedom of his land. was done.
What is Lohri Festival?
Dalla Bhatti’s marriage of Hindu girls is described as Lohri meaning disaster. According to folklore, Dalla Bhatti turned the tide of this calamity, that’s why Lohri festival is also celebrated in Pakistan and India on January 13 every year in his memory.
Residents of Indian Punjab are singing this folk song. Bonfires are being lit in every house and friends are around. Gossip is accompanied by peanuts and herds being thrown into the blazing fire.
It’s a chance to get together and say goodbye to winter. But in these folk songs, the name of Dalla Bhatti of Pindi Bhattian in Pakistan is being repeated again and again. It seems as if this festival of Lohri is incomplete without the name Dulla Bhatti.
Harmand Dev of a village called Chaba, some distance from Amritsar, also celebrates this festival. He spoke to us on phone and told us that this is our very important and special festival. Dalla Bhatti is considered the ‘Robin Hood’ of our Punjab and special importance is given to the girls who were helped by Dalla Bhatti in this festival.
“We make a fire like we speak Pugi. In it we throw groundnuts, jaggery, sesame seeds and mutton, give it to each other and eat it ourselves.”
Harmand says that we dance on this festival. If someone has recently got married or a baby has been born in a house, everyone gets together specially and celebrates.
But it is not only popular in villages but also in cities of Indian Punjab.
He said that actually today is the last day of winter in the desi calendar. The month of pog wants to be over and now the mug will begin.
He says that apart from the season, 90 percent of this festival is related to folklore. They say that now it has become a festival of the entire North India out of Punjab.
Dr Harish says this festival transcends caste and religion. The villagers get together and light a bonfire.
They say that there is no food or drink restriction on this festival, not to eat meat or not to drink alcohol, everyone leaves these restrictions.
This festival is celebrated freely. It does not matter whether one is a Hindu, a Sikh or a Muslim, everyone celebrates. During the day we fly kites and in the evening we light bonfires outside the house.
When BBC asked him about the mention of Dalla Bhatti in folk songs, he said that we have been hearing it from our elders.
There is no written document about Dalla Bhatti, but the folklore is known here. They are mentioned. ‘