Home Journal List Journal of the Punjab University Historical Society Volume 28 Article Details

Rai Ahmad Khan Kharral(Myth or Reality)

Abstract

The oral traditions of history make persons so sacred and heroic that anything, which is attached with them, seems to be their vital part and parcel. This type of oral traditions and norms not only portray the heroic figure of that personality, they also give sanctity to the historical figures. The same is the case with Rai Ahmad Khan Kharral of District Montgomery (Sahiwal). His contribution as a freedom fighter can not be refuted in the War of Independence (1857) against the British, but a lot of local story-tellers (Marasis) and the native literature have portrayed him as a great freedom fighter and leader of the guerrilla operations at the local level. Meanwhile, the official records also give him so much importance – due to his stiff resistance against the British – even he is termed as a rebel against the British. With the passage of time, many folk singers have portrayed him differently, because the information of folk songs and dhollas change from individual to individual and singer to singer. In this way, the individuals and singers also add more things about his contribution in the War of Independence (1857).

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