Waris Shah, Punjabi Writer

Syed Mohammed Waris Shah (1722-1798) was an 18th-century Punjabi Muslim Sufi poet, well-known for his contributions to Punjabi literature. Heer is considered one of the quintessential works of Classical Punjabi literature. The story of Heer was also told by several other authors, including notable versions by Damodar Das, Mukbal, and Ahmed Gujjar, but Waris Shah’s version remains the most popular today.

Pir Waris Shah was born to Kamal Banu and Gulsher Shah, in Jandiala Sher Khan, Punjab (Pakistan) into a reputed Sayyid family and was a descendent of Sayyid Mohammed Al-Makki through his son Sayyid Badruddin. Waris Shah’s parents are said to have died when he was young. He spent many years in search of a spiritual guide. He acknowledged himself to be a disciple of an Ustad from Kasur, Hafiz Ghulam Murtaza, from whom he received his education. After competing his education, he moved to Malka Hans village. Here he resided in a small room adjacent to a historic mosque now called Masjid Waris Shah, until his death.

He was also an eyewitness to the first invasion of India by Afghan leader Ahmed Shah Abdali. He witnessed the battle of Lahore between Afghan forces and the MUghal forces under Shah Nawaz which resulted in Lahore coming under the Afghans during January 1748. Waris Shah condemned Shah Nawaz’s actions during the battle and referred him as a coward. It is estimated that there are 11069 forged verses in the commonly available Qissa Waris Shah. One of the oldest and most accurate copies of Qissa Waris Shah published by Kripa Ram in 1916 is available in the Punjab Public Library in Lahore.

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