Raja Sálbán

Not to be confused with Shalivahana.
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Punjabi folklore
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Raja Sálbán (also known as Salivahan)[1] was a legendary Indian monarch who is said to have founded the city and the Sialkot Fort in Punjab.[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][5]

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.[6] 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.[6] Being the step-son of Luna, Puran disapproved of her advances. A hurt Luna accused Puran of violating her honor.[6]

The infuriated monarch ordered Puran to be amputated and killed.[6] 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.[6][7] 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.[8]

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.[9]

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.[10][11] Other claims of descent from Salban, via Jaisal Singh's lineage, include the Punjabi Phulkian dynasty.[12][13]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Alternatively spelt as 'Raja Sálwan'.

References

  1. ^ Khalid, Haroon (26 December 2022). Walking With Nanak. Penguin Random House India Private Limited. p. 81. ISBN 978-93-5492-847-5.
  2. ^ Anjum, Zafar (13 October 2014). Iqbal: The Life of a Poet, Philosopher and Politician. Random House India. p. 242. ISBN 978-81-8400-656-8.
  3. ^ E.Y, Mbogoni, Lawrence (3 November 2013). Human Sacrifice and the Supernatural in African History. Mkuki na Nyota Publishers. p. 172. ISBN 978-9987-08-242-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ "Four Legends of King Rasalu of Sialkot". The Folk-Lore Journal. 1 (5): 129–151. 1883. doi:10.1080/17442524.1883.10602650. ISSN 1744-2524. JSTOR 1252821.
  5. ^ Savill, Sheila; Parrinder, Geoffrey; Barker, Mary; Cook, Chris (1977). Pears Encyclopaedia of Myths and Legends: The Orient. London: Pelham. p. 121. ISBN 978-0-7207-1001-4.
  6. ^ a b c d e Miraj, Muhammad Hassan (8 October 2012). "Pooran Bhagat". dawn.com. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  7. ^ Tareekh-i-Sialkot
  8. ^ Kaul, H. Kumar (1994). Aspects of Yoga. BR publishing corporation. ISBN 9788170188100.
  9. ^ Khalid, Haroon (26 December 2022). Walking With Nanak. Penguin Random House India Private Limited. p. 181. ISBN 978-93-5492-847-5.
  10. ^ Kothiyal, Tanuja (2016). Nomadic Narratives: A History of Mobility and Identity in the Great Indian. Cambridgre University Press. p. 73. ISBN 9781107080317.
  11. ^ Vadivelu, A. (1915). The ruling chiefs, nobles and zamindars of India. Madras: G. C. Loganadham Bros. p. 205.
  12. ^ Singh, Kirpal (2005). Baba Ala Singh: Founder of the Patiala Kingdom (2nd ed.). Amritsar: Guru Nanak Dev University. pp. 113–120.
  13. ^ Bond, J. W.; Wright, Arnold (2006). Indian States: A Biographical, Historical, and Administrative Survey. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services. p. 325. ISBN 978-81-206-1965-4. Archived from the original on 20 June 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2024.