Waris Shah

He is primarily known as the author of the best known rendition of Heer Ranjha (1766), one of the most popular tragic romances of Punjab. Traditionally, it is recited in bhairavi raga and this continues to be done so even today.

Background

Syed Mohammad Waris Shah was born in Jandiala Sher Khan, Punjab (present-day Punjab, Pakistan) into a reputed Sayyid family, and was a descendant of Sayyid Muhammad al-Makki through his son Sayyid Badruddin. His father was Gulsher Shah and mother was Kamal Banu. His parents are said to have died when he was young. Waris spent years in search of the perfect spiritual guide. Waris Shah acknowledged himself to be a disciple of an ustad from Kasur, namely Hafiz Ghulam Murtaza from whom he received his education. After completing his education, Waris moved to Malka Hans, a town, twelve kilometres north of Pakpattan. Here he resided in a small room (or Hujra), adjacent to a historic mosque now called Masjid Waris Shah, until his death.

Waris Shah was also an eyewitness to the first Invasion of India by the Afghan leader Ahmad Shah Abdali. He witnessed the Battle of Lahore between the Afghan forces and the Mughal forces under Shah Nawaz which resulted in Lahore coming under Afghan control during January 1748. Waris Shah condemned Shah Nawaz's actions during the battle and even referred to him as a coward. Other poets later added their own verses in Qissa Waris Shah throughout the history. It is estimated that there are 11069 forged verses in the commonly available Qissa Waris Shah. One of the oldest and most accurate copy of Qissa Waris Shah (published by Kripa Ram) in 1916 is available in the Punjab Public Library in Lahore.