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Raja Sálbán (also known as Salivahan)^[1] was a semi-mythical monarch who, according to historical sources and claims, was active during the 1st and 2nd centuries, and is believed to have founded the city and the fort of Sialkot in Punjab in the 2nd century.^{[note 1]}^[2]^[3] According to Punjabi folklore, he was father of Puran Bhagat and Raja Rasalu, the protagonist of the Adventures of Raja Rasalu.^[4] Salban's historicity and events in his life are debated by historians, and he is regarded as a semi-legendary figure.^[5]^[6]^[7]

Story

Raja Salban's first wife, Queen Icchira gave birth to Puran Bhagat. Upon the suggestion of local astrologers, Puran was sent away from the King for the first 12 years of his life, as it was said that King could not see the face of his son.^[8] While Puran was away, the king married a young girl named Luna, who a tanner's daughter. After 12 years of isolation, Puran returned to the royal palace. There, Luna became romantically attracted toward Puran, who was of the same age.^[8] Being the step-son of Luna, Puran disapproved of her advances. A hurt Luna accused Puran of violating her honor.^[8]

The infuriated monarch ordered Puran to be amputated and killed.^[8] The soldiers carried out his orders and cutoff the Puran's hands and legs and threw him in a well in the forest named the Puran's Well.^[8]^[9] After several years Guru Gorakhnath, who was passing by with his followers, heard voice from the well. He took him out using a single thread and unbaked earthen pot. He was later adopted by Baba Gorkhnath, and himself became a jogi.^[10]

Eventually, he confronted his father, and it was due to the ascetic's blessings that the king had another son who eventually became Raja Rasalu, another folk legend that became popular in Punjab.^[11]

Historicity

Salban's historicity and the events of his life are debated, and he is regarded by historians as a semi-legendary figure.^[7]^[5] According to historical claims, Salban defeated the Indo-Scythians in a battle near modern-day Multan in c. 78 CE, and in commemoration, adopted the title 'Sakari', which meant 'foe of the Scythians'.^[5]^[12]^[13] Other historical claims state that he founded the Sialkot fort and the city of Sialkot in the 2nd century.^[14] Further claims mention that Salban was the first from the Hindu mythological Yaduvanshi lineage of the Lunar dynasty to settle in Punjab.^[12]^[15] Some historians have mentioned that he may have been a Scythian or an Indo-Scythian.^[5]^[6]

Salban's ancestry is also debated. According to historical claims, Salban's ancestor is Raja Gaj who, according to differing claims by historians, either founded the city of Ghazni or Rawalpindi.^[16]

Claims of descent

Various historical figures have claimed descent from Salban. Rao Bhati, the common ancestor of the Bhati Rajputs claimed descent from Salban and so did Bhati's descendant, Jaisal Singh, the founder and first monarch of Jaisalmer.^[14]^[12] Other claims of descent from Salban, via Jaisal Singh's lineage, include the Punjabi Phulkian dynasty.^[15]^[17]