011. Tomb Of Heer Ranjha In Jhang & Takht Hazara

The love story of Murad Baksh, a Jat of the Ranjha clan, and Ezzat Bibi (Heer), also a Jat of the Sial clan, is arguably the most popular love story in South Asia. They likely lived during the reign of the Lodhi Dynasty (1451–1526 AD), though the exact dates are unknown. A plaque at their tomb, however, gives the year of their death as 876 AH, which corresponds to 1471 AD.

Their tomb is located in Jhang City, at 31°16'31" N, 72°20'13" E, just off Faisalabad Road. It lies within a very old graveyard surrounded by many other graves.

A view of the tomb of Heer and Ranjha . (25.03.2009.)

Another view of the tomb. (25.03.2009.)

دربار عاشق صادق

مائی ہیر و میاں رانجھا

876 ھج وصال

The court (tomb/mausoleum) of the true lovers.

 Mai Heer and Mian Ranjha. 

Death: 876 AH. (1471 AD)

A closer view of the tomb. (25.03.2009.)

The grave of Heer and Ranjha, both are buried in the same grave. (25.03.2025.)

Famous true lover Mian Murad Baksh aka Mian Ranjha, age ..... years and Mai Ezzat Bibi known as Mai Heer Sial, are both buried at this place. Who (female pronoun suggests it means Heer) was a true saint and was a  Khalifa (successor, lieutenant) of Hazrat Sheikh Ahmad Kabir son of Syed Jalal Bukhari Uchi. The city of Jhang was founded by Syed Jalal. Bahlul Lodhi the king was his disciple. Spent his whole life in spiritual quest. Mian Fazal Elahi Ranjha caretaker/successor of the mausoleum Mohammadiah Naqshbandi Suharwardi Qadri Chishti (names of different sufi orders), resident of Waan Mian, district Shahpur (Sargodha) had it constructed in the year .....

According to the tradition ladies who died virgins, had open domes above their graves. (25.03.2009.)

A few days after visiting Jhang, I went to Takht Hazara, a small village in Sargodha District. It is the birthplace of Ranjha. The area is agricultural, with lush green fields all around. The Chenab River flows just two kilometers to the east. The village is famous because Ranjha was born here in the mid-15th century AD. It was here that he first heard of the legendary beauty of Heer and decided to journey to marry her.

Takht Hazara is located about 25 kilometers from the Makhdoom Interchange on the M-2 Motorway. After exiting, travel northeast toward Halapur, the main town in the area. From Halapur, take a turn southeast — Takht Hazara is just 4.5 kilometers from there. The village is located at 32°06'32" N, 73°14'40" E.

For further guidance, kindly refer to the map provided at the end.

 This mosque was constructed on the ruins of an old mosque, and is known as the mosque of Ranjha. (31.03.2009.)

River Chenab. (31.03.2009.)

According to the story, one day during a family altercation, Ranjha's sisters-in-law taunted him for doing nothing all day except playing the flute. Mocking his sense of self-importance, they said that if he thought so highly of himself, he should go and marry Heer of the Sials.

Ranjha accepted the challenge and traveled to Jhang, approximately 150 kilometers southwest, by boat on the Chenab River — possibly in a vessel similar to the one shown in the picture above.

A boat in the river Chenab. Ranjha went to Jhang by boat.  (31.03.2009.)

Beatiful green fields of Takht Hazara. (31.03.2009.)

 The mosque of Ranjha. (31.03.2009.)

The story of their love, which is definitely the most famous love story of the subcontinent, was first written by Damodar Das Arora, who was their contemporary. Then more than two centuries later, sufi poet Waris Shah made them subject of his epic love poem Heer Waris Shah and immortalized them and their love. He wrote this masterpiece of Punjabi literature at Malka Hans, in 1762. 

For further reading, see the following posts:

Tomb & Mosque Of Syed Waris Shah

Tariq Amir

May 17, 2014.

Doha - Qatar 

View Tomb of Heer Ranjha, Takht Hazara & Tomb Of Waris Shah in a larger map