Bhambhore, an ancient port city from the 7th century, holds a rich history and cultural significance. Located near modern Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan, at the base of the Indus River, it served as a vital trading hub connecting Arab world and Indian subcontinent. This city is famously identified with Debal, the gateway of Islam to the Indian subcontinent. Bhambhore is notable for housing the first mosque in the region, the Grand Mosque. Before the arrival of Muhammad Bin Qasim, the city was primarily inhabited by Hindus, with a minority Buddhist population, and governed by a Hindu king.

Bhambhore in History: As Recorded by Sir V.S. Naipaul

The city of Bhambhore is vividly mentioned in Sir V.S. Naipaul’s Among the Believers: An Islamic Journey (1981). Naipaul recounts the rule of King Chach, who resisted the first Arab attack on the port of Bhambhore. After Chach’s death, his brother and then his son, King Dahar, ruled the region. A controversial episode from this period is the story of Dahar’s astrologer predicting the kingdom’s doom due to Dahar’s sister’s marriage. In a bid to retain power, Dahar performed a symbolic marriage with his sister—an incident heavily criticized in Arab-Persian narratives for portraying Sindh’s moral decline.

Naipaul also details the eventual conquest of Sindh by Muhammad Bin Qasim, a 17-year-old general who led a force of 6,000 soldiers under the orders of Hajjaj, the governor of Iraq. The conquest of Bhambhore marked a turning point in the region’s history, as Islam began to spread through the Indian subcontinent.

Bhambhore in Sindhi Folklore: The Legend of Sassui-Punnhun

Bhambhore is immortalized in the Sindhi folktale of Sassui-Punnhun, a story that exemplifies unwavering love and devotion. Sassui, a woman from Bhambhore, endures countless trials in her quest to reunite with her beloved Punnhun, who hails from Makran in Balochistan. Separated by rivals, Sassui’s journey through the wilderness, speaking to animals and braving hardships, is celebrated as a metaphor for the seeker’s spiritual quest for union with the Divine.

The great Sindhi Sufi poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai (1689–1752) used this tale as an allegory for spiritual perseverance in his poetic anthology Shah Jo Risalo. He compares Sassui’s enduring love to the mystical longing of Majnun in Persian literature, symbolizing the soul’s journey toward the Divine.

The folk song Pere Pavandi Saan, based on this story, is an integral part of Sindhi cultural heritage. Traditionally sung by women during weddings, the song reflects the region’s deep connection to its roots. It has been popularized globally by performances like those on Coke Studio Pakistan, showcasing the rich multilingual and musical traditions of Indian subcontinent.

The Sindhi Language: A Carrier of History and Culture

Sindhi, a direct descendant of Vrachada Aprabhamsa, is spoken widely in Sindh and Balochistan in Pakistan and among a significant diaspora in India. Recognized in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, Sindhi is a literary language that thrives despite not being the official language of any Indian state. Communities in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and even Ulhasnagar near Mumbai—India’s largest Sindhi enclave—keep the language alive.

Sindhi folk songs like Pere Pavandi Saan embody the collective memory of the Sindhi people, preserving stories of love, devotion, and history. The following is the Devanagari rendering of this iconic song, performed by Tahir Mithu:


पेरि पवंडी साँ, चवनडी साँ
रहि वन रात भंभोर में अल्लाह
पेरि पवंडी साँ, चवनडी साँ
रहि वन रात भंभोर में अल्लाह
सिंदड़ी में, भंभोर में
उठ तै आरिए जाम, मा जा मियाँ हो अल्लाह
हो उठ तै आरिए जाम, मा जा मियाँ हो
आरिए जाम जा, पुन्हल जाम जा
आरिए जाम जा, पुन्हल जाम जा
वागाँ वठन डी साँ, चवनडी साँ
रहि वन रात भंभोर में अल्लाह
पेरि पवंडी साँ
सिंदड़ी में, भंभोर में
रोज़ो पाक रसूल जो मियाँ हो अल्लाह
हो रोज़ो पाक रसूल जो मियाँ, मिठ्ठे रसूल जो, सोहणे रसूल जो, प्यारे रसूल जो, सोहणे रसूल जो
चौठ चूम्मनेडी साँ, चवणडी साँ
रहि वन रात भंभोर में अल्लाह
पेरि पवंडी साँ
सिंदड़ी में, भंभोर में
अद्नूँ, शाह लतीफ चै मियाँ हो अल्लाह
भिट जो गोह्ट लतीफ चै मियाँ, अद्नूँ लतीफ चै, लायक लतीफ चै, ललौं लतीफ चै, भिट जो लतीफ चै
लोहे लहन डी साँ, चवनडी साँ
पेरि पवंडी साँ, चवनडी साँ
रहि वन रात भंभोर में अल्लाह
सिंदड़ी में, भंभोर में…..

Cultural Legacy and Modern Resonance

Bhambhore’s historical significance and its enduring presence in Sindhi folklore illustrate the city’s multifaceted identity. From its role as a trading port and the gateway of Islam to its romanticization in poetry and music, Bhambhore bridges the past and present. Initiatives like Coke Studio Pakistan have successfully highlighted this shared heritage, ensuring that the melodies of Sindh continue to resonate across generations.

Bhambhore is not just a city but a symbol—a tapestry of history, culture, and spirituality. Its stories, both historical and mythical, remain treasures of the subcontinent’s pluralistic traditions, offering lessons in resilience, love, and unity.

 

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