Re: Krishna, Radha, Hanuman re-installed in Lahore
There are more than 2.5 million Hindu’s in Pakistan (most in Sindh), and they are held in high respect.
Singing praises
By Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro
THE Charans belong to an ancient tribe of Sindh. There was a time when they were known for describing heroic deeds of the Rajputs in verse. They were also known for writing great poetry and using it to inspire their warriors to fight against their enemy. It is said that the Charans were descendents of Siva and Parvati. Because of their ability to compose poetry, they occupied the second rank in the hierarchal order in those days, above their Rajput patrons. Without someone showering praise on them, it was impossible for the Rajputs to assert their position in society at the time. Whenever the question concerning ancestral rights, privileges, inheritances, lands, or forming new alliances arose, the Rajputs would depend on the Charans’ knowledge, which would be transferred through different ways. The Charans would also be used as sureties whenever a legal guarantee was required. Pacts, engagements, transfers, recovery of debts, collection of land revenue and even the signing of treaties wouldn’t be complete without them. Moreover, they were arbitrators of conflicts between the various Rajput clans or factions. In the time of war, their villages would become neutral zones and places of refuge.
The Charan tribe is divided into different castes or lineages. Prominent amongst these are the Detha, the Kaachhela, the Gadhvi, and the Maru. The Charans who inhabit Tharparkar adhere to Hindu religion. Those living outside Tharparkar are all Muslims. There are a number of Charans who are held in high esteem as far as the history of Sindh goes. Among them, Junfah Charan, Sumang Charan and Juman Charan are the most famous ones. Junfah Charan was a court poet and adviser to the Sodha Rajputs. It was he who prepared the ground for invasion of Umerkot. When the Sodhas snatched Umerkot from the Soomra Rajputs, they showered him with gifts and gave him land at Khariryo Charan where his descendants still live. Sumang Charan lived during the Soomra rule and popularised the seven valiant men and 10 Datars (munificent and bountiful) belonging to Jareja and Samma Rajputs. The names of those generous (Datars) Samma Rajputs were Sakhi Supar Jam Chotai, Rai Daich, Odho Jakhrai, Lakho Phulani, Jam Karan, Jakhro Odai, Jam Harand, Jasudhan, Vikyo Datar Jarejo, and Sakhi Sahar Jam followed by seven valiant men Jam Unar, Abro Arbang, Ponyro, Banko, Kararo Kondhar, Hothi Waryam and Lakho Phulani.
Sumang Charan roamed about in every village and town of lower Sindh and Tharparkar and sang songs of generosity, valour and heroism praising Samma and Jareja Rajputs. The poetry that Sumang Charan composed is still popular among the Hindu Charans of Tharparkar. Juman Charan lived during the rule of Mian Noor Mohammad Kalhoro (1719-1753). He and Jalal Khati engaged in a discourse regarding the battle that was fought between Mian Noor Muhammad Kalhoro and Abdullah Khan, who died in that battle. Juman Charan eulogised him in his poetry. However, Jalal Khati praised the valour of Mian Noor Muhammad Kalhoro and the Sindhian army. In contemporary times, Kesoji Charan of Nagarparkar and Devi Dan Charan of Umerkot are well-known poets. Kesoji Charan lives in Densi village which is located 15 kilometres from Nagarparkar. Densi is the village of the Charans who’re famous for reciting and narrating verses, couplets and stories of Soomra and Sodha periods. Kesoji Charan has a gift of telling the stories of Soomra and Sodha rulers. He also entertains his community and other people by narrating the story of Rai Daich who was a generous king of Kathiawar, India. The Charans of Kharerio Charan are equally famous for telling stories and reciting verses about heroic acts of the Rajputs. Kharerio Charan is located some six kilometres from Umerkot. Devi Dan is a recognised Charan and has composed poetry on heroic deeds of Makwana, Sodha, and Rathor Rajputs. Apart from that, he has also churned out poetic pieces on the parchas (miracles) of Deval goddess.