HASHAM

Hasham Shah (1753-1843 ), son of Haji Mohammed Sharif, was born at village Jagdeo Kalan (district Amritsar). He belonged to Sayyad family (descendants of Hazrat Mohammed’s daughter Bibi Fatima and Hazrat Ali), hence people gave him great respected as a holy person. He and his father had been practicing medicine.

Hashim was a court poet of (Maharaja) Ranjit Singh. Besides Vaar Mahan Singh, he wrote several famous love-poems like Sassi-Punnu, Sohni Mahiwal, Shrirn Farhaad as well as Dohrhe, Deodan, Kafian, Bara Mah, Siharfian etc. He was master of usage of images and symbols.

He lived a very long life. He died at village Tharpal (district Narowal) where his grave still exists.

(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)