Daily Times

Beebagr was the nephew of Meer Chakar Khan Rind Baloch. He was one of the most popular poets of the early era of Balochi poetry. He got fame because of his ever-living poetry and his deep knowledge. He was strictly against the rivalries among Balochis. Beebagr played an important role in the eradication of the longest war of Baloch which lasted thirty years between Rind and Lashari tribes. He knew that the consequences of the war would contribute to many losses for the Baloch in future. As a result, he suggested Meer Chakar Khan Rind to quit the war. Meer Chakar Khan labelled him a coward because he was in fear of dying and therefore wanted seize fire to take place.

O Chakar, why are you unconscious,

Willing to put the sword in your own brothers,

O Sardar! Vanish the rancor,

Wonder about the future.

Whenever it comes to Beebagr in Balochi literature, Granaz follows him. Their love story is one of the most popular and inspired love stories of the Balochis.

Meer Chakar Khan Rind sent Beebagr in Kandahar for meeting the king of the area where he saw Granaz and it was love at the very first sight and same was the case for Granaz. They planned to run away from Kandahar knowing Granaz’s family would not agree to accept Beebagr for Granaz. Around midnight they succeeded in fleeing Granaz’s home, she asked Beebagr, “Beebagr, who are your friends and who are your enemies at your residence?” Beebagr answered, “Chakar is our friend and Gwahram is our enemy.” She thought for a while and replied, “Let’s go to Gwahram, Chakar will come to us there himself.” They both went to Meer Gwahram thereafter to seek asylum. Though Beebagr was an enemy of Gwahram yet the Balochi customs and traditions compelled Gwahram to give asylum to the couple with full security (According to the Balochi custom, if your enemy comes to you in hope of seeking an asylum, you are bound to give him full respect).

After Gwahram gave asylum to them, he sent a message to Meer Chakar Khan Rind that Beebagr was in deep trouble and required their support. Meer Chakar Khan Rind with his army came to Meer Gwahram to fight against the king of Kandahar (Baloch have always accompanied their Baloch enemies whenever they asked them to fight against someone stranger).

As Beebagr was against of the wars and wanted to maintain peace everywhere, he himself went to the king of Kandahar and said, “I am Beebagr and I don’t want any war to take place because of me. You can announce whatever punishment you like, I will accept it wholeheartedly.” When the king saw the courage and bravery of Beebagr, he asked his army to stop the war and called them back. Due to this event, Beebagr is remembered as one of the real Sarmachar (A brave person) of Balochi people.

After this incident, the king of Kandahar was highly impressed by Beebagr and his concept of maintaining the peace. He hugged him and said, “I won’t be able enough to search someone better than you for my daughter.” The King then got both of them married.

Beebagr was not only a poet but a real humanitarian who always loved to maintain peace among the people. He was also very brave enough to face challenges and had a lot of knowledge. His spirit of love, poetry, bravery and of being a great human will always inspire everyone who reads about him. Beebagr is considered to be the pride of the Balochs.

The writer is a teacher at DELTA in Turbat. He can be reached at alijanmaqsood17@gmail.com

Published in Daily Times, June 9^th 2018.