# Mian Muhammad Bakhsh

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Punjabi Sufi poet (c. 1830–1907)

Mian Muhammad Bakhsh میاں محمد بخش Born c. 1830[1] Khari Sharif, Sikh Empire (present-day Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan)[1] Died 22 January 1907[1] Khari Sharif, Jammu and Kashmir, British India (present-day Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan)[1] Resting place Shrine of Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, Khari Sharif Occupation Poet Years active Mid-19th century – early-20th century Era Colonial India Movement Classical Punjabi Sufi poetry Father Mīān Shamsuddīn Writing career Pen name Mīān Muhammad Bakhshā Language Punjabi Persian[a] Genre Love divine love Islamic mysticism society nature self-reflection Nazm Kafi Ghazal Notable works Sayful Mulūk (his book of poetry)[2][1]

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**Mian Muhammad Bakhsh** ([Punjabi](/source/Punjabi_language): میاں محمد بخش, pronounced [\[miãː mʊɦəˈməd̪ bəxʃ\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Punjabi); c. 1830 – 22 January 1907) was a [Punjabi](/source/Punjabi_Muslims) [Sufi](/source/Sufism) poet, from [Khari Sharif](/source/Khari_Sharif) in present-day [Azad Jammu and Kashmir](/source/Azad_Kashmir).[3][4] He wrote 18 books during his lifetime of 77 years, and is especially remembered for his *[Saiful Maluk](/source/Prince_Saiful_Malook_and_Badri_Jamala)*, a [Punjabi](/source/Punjabi_language) poetic rendering of the traditional [Arabic](/source/Arabic) story of Prince Saiful Maluk.[5] He also wrote the romantic tragedy, *[Mirza Sahiban](/source/Mirza_Sahiban)*. Most of his work is in Punjabi,[b] with the exception of the book "*Yari*", written in [Persian](/source/Persian_language).[6]

Mian Muhammad Bakhsh is revered throughout the Punjab, [Hazara](/source/Hazara_Division) and Azad Kashmir. He is regarded as the bridge between medieval and early-modern [Punjabi literature](/source/Punjabi_literature).

## Early life

Bakhsh was born in c. 1830 in Khari Sharif (present-day Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan) during the [Sikh rule](/source/Sikh_Empire), into a Punjabi [Gujjar](/source/Gurjars) Poswal family of the Banian clan with roots in [Gujrat](/source/Gujrat%2C_Pakistan) (present-day [Punjab](/source/Punjab%2C_Pakistan), Pakistan).[7][4] There is considerable disagreement about his year of birth. Mahbūb 'Alī Faqīr Qādirī, in a biography printed as an appendix to the text of *Sayful Mulūk* gives the date as 1246 AH (1830 AD), a date also followed by the *Shāhkār Islāmī Encyclopedia*; 1830 and 1843 are suggested in other works. Mīān Muhammad Bakhsh himself states in his magnum opus, *Sayful Mulūk*, that he completed the work in the month of [Ramadan](/source/Ramadan), 1279 AH (1863 AD), and that he was then thirty-three years of age. Hence, he must have been born in 1829 or 1830.[1]

## Upbringing

He was brought up in a very religious environment, and received his early education at home. He was later sent with his elder brother, Mīān Bahāval, to the nearby village of Samwal Sharīf to study religious sciences, especially the science of *[Hadith](/source/Hadith)* in the madrassah of Hāfiz Muhammad 'Alī. His teacher was Hāfiz Ghulam Hussain. Hāfiz Muhammad 'Alī had a brother, Hāfiz Nāsir, who was a *[majzub](/source/Majzub)*, and had renounced worldly matters; this dervish resided at that time in the mosque at Samwal Sharīf. From childhood Mīān Muhammad had exhibited a penchant for poetry, and was especially fond of reading *[Yūsuf ō Zulaikhā](/source/Y%C5%ABsuf_%C5%8D_Zulaikh%C4%81)* by [Jami](/source/Jami). During his time at the madrassah, Hāfiz Nāsir would often beg him to sing some lines from Jami's poetry, and upon hearing it so expertly rendered would invariably fall into a state of spiritual intoxication.

Mīān Muhammad was still only fifteen years old when his father, falling seriously ill, and realizing that he was on his deathbed, called all his students and local notaries to see him. Mīān Shamsuddīn told his visitors that it was his duty to pass on the spiritual lineage that he had received through his family from Pīr-e Shāh Ghāzī Qalandar Damriyan Wali Sarkar; he pointed to his own son, Mīān Muhammad, and told those assembled that he could find nobody more suitable than he to whom he might award this privilege. Everybody agreed, the young man's reputation had already spread far and wide. Mīān Muhammad, however, spoke up and disagreed, saying that he could not bear to stand by and allow his elder brother Bahāvul to be deprived of the honour. The old man was filled with so much love for his son that he stood up and leaving his bed grasped his son by the arms; he led him to one corner and made him face the approximate direction of [Baghdad](/source/Baghdad), and then he addressed the founder of their Sufi Order, Shaikh [Abdul Qadir Gilani](/source/Abdul_Qadir_Gilani), presenting his son to him as his spiritual successor. Shortly after this incident his father died. Mīān Muhammad continued to reside in his family home for a further four years, then at the age of nineteen he moved into the [khānqāh](/source/Kh%C4%81nq%C4%81h), where he remained for the rest of his life. Both his brothers combined both religion and worldly affairs in their lives, but he was only interested in spirituality, and never married unlike them.

## Poetic talents and works

*Saif ul Malūk* (1863) is considered his masterpiece. In its ending verses, Mian Muhammad Bakhsh listed major genres of [Punjabi poetry](/source/Punjabi_literature) and his predecessor [Punjabi poets](/source/List_of_Punjabi_poets):

The land of Punjab has had many poets full of wisdom, who have composed brilliant *[kāfīs](/source/Kafi)*, *bārāṅmāhs*, *dohṛās* and *[baits](/source/Bayt_(poetry))*. Some have composed and written books, *[qissas](/source/Punjabi_Qissa)* and *[risālas](/source/Risalah_(fiqh))*. Where now has that company gone, Muhammad? Look and take careful stock.

First is [Shaikh Farid Shakarganj](/source/Baba_Farid), true knower and possessor of sainthood. Every utterance of his tongue is a guide on the true path.

Then there was a [Sultan Bahu](/source/Sultan_Bahu), a special hero in the cause of truth. The *dohṛās* which he uttered shine out in both worlds.

On listening to the *kāfīs* of [Bullhe Shah](/source/Bulleh_Shah), inner unbelief is broken. He swims about in the ocean of Oneness.

— *Saif ul Malūk* (1863)[8]

Once he had advanced a little along the Sufi way, he became more and more interested in composing poetry, and one of the first things he penned was a *[qasidah](/source/Qasidah)* ([quatrain](/source/Quatrain)) in praise of his spiritual guide. Initially he preferred to write *siharfis* and *[duhras](/source/Duhra)*, but then he advanced to composing stories in verse. His poetry is written in a mixed language composed of the [Majhi](/source/Majhi_dialect), [Pahari-Pothwari](/source/Pahari-Pothwari) and [Hindko](/source/Hindko) dialects of Punjabi, and utilizes a rich vocabulary of [Persian](/source/Persian_language) and [Arabic](/source/Arabic) [loan-words](/source/Loanword). Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, in his lifetime, contributed his great mystic thought in the language of the masses – Punjabi language which was also his mother tongue.[1]

His works include: *Siharfi*, *[Sohni Mahiwal](/source/Sohni_Mahiwal)*, *Tuhfah-e Miran*, *Tuhfah-e- Rasuliyah*, *[Shirin Farhad](/source/Khosrow_and_Shirin)*, *Mirza Sahiban*, *Sakhi Khavass Khan*, *Shah Mansur*, *Gulzar-e Faqir*, *Hidayatul Muslimin*, *Panj Ganj*, *Masnavi-e Nīrang-e ‘Ishq*. He also wrote a commentary on the [Arabic](/source/Arabic) *[Qasidat al-Burda](/source/Qasidat_al-Burda)* of al-[Busiri](/source/Al-Busiri) and his most famous work, entitled *Safar-ul-Ishq* (Journey of Love), but better known as *Saif ul Maluk*.[1]

## Formal pledge of allegiance

Despite the fact that he had essentially been made a *[khalīfah](/source/Tariqa)* of his father, he realized that he still needed to make a formal pledge of allegiance or *[bay'ah](/source/Bay'ah)* to a Sufi master. Having completed his formal education he began to travel, seeking out deserted locations where he would busy himself in prayer and spiritual practices, shunning the company of his fellow-men. He took the Sufi pledge of allegiance or *bay'ah* with Ghulām Muhammad, who was the khalīfah of Bābā Badūh Shāh Abdāl, the khalīfah of Hājī Bagāsher (of Darkālī Mamuri Sharīf, near Kallar Syedan District Rawalpindi), the khalīfah again of Dumriyan Wali Sarkar. He is also said to have travelled for a while to [Srinagar](/source/Srinagar), where he benefitted greatly from Shaikh Ahmad Valī.

## Death and legacy

He died on the 7th day of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah 1324 AH (1907 AD), and was buried in Khari Sharif, not far away from his spiritual great great grandfather, Damriyan Wali Sarkar. To this day many people visit his tomb with the intention of receiving spiritual blessings.[1]

[Shrine](/source/Shrine) of Mian Muhammad Bakhsh at Khari Sharif, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.

In February 2016, rich tributes were paid to Mian Muhammad Bakhsh at a literary seminar held at [Allama Iqbal Open University](/source/Allama_Iqbal_Open_University), Islamabad, Pakistan. Speakers at the seminar included scholar [Fateh Muhammad Malik](/source/Fateh_Muhammad_Malik). He said that Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, through his poetry, spread the message of mutual harmony and brotherhood of mankind. He added that the young generation should seek aspirations from the national heroes and eminent literary personalities like him. Mian Muhammad Bakhsh serves as a guiding force to develop a happy and successful life.[9]

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Most of Bakhsh's work is in the Punjabi language with the exception of his book "Yari", which he wrote in Persian.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Most of Bakhsh's work is in the [Majhi](/source/Majhi_dialect) and [Pothwari](/source/Pahari-Pothwari) dialects of Punjabi

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-APNA_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-APNA_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-APNA_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-APNA_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-APNA_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-APNA_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-APNA_1-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-APNA_1-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-APNA_1-8) [In memory of Mian Muhammad Bakhsh](http://apnaorg.com/prose-content/english-articles/page-101/article-10/index.html) [Academy of the Punjab in North America](/source/Academy_of_the_Punjab_in_North_America) (APNA) website, Published 13 October 2013, Retrieved 31 December 2017

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Dawn_3-0)** [The River that played god](https://www.dawn.com/news/741938) Dawn (newspaper), Published 13 August 2012, Retrieved 31 December 2017

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Sen, Geeti (1997). [*Crossing Boundaries*](https://books.google.com/books?id=BfukTDZTBNMC&dq=saif+ul+malook+punjabi+poet&pg=PA135). Orient Blackswan. p. 135. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-81-250-1341-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-250-1341-9). The decades and centuries after Bulleh Shah's death in 1758 saw a number of well - known Punjabi mystic and secular poets . These included Mian Mohammed Baksh, author of Safrul Ishq, popularly known as Saiful Malook...

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_5-1) ["Mian Muhammad Bakhsh – A great Punjabi Sufi Poet"](https://nation.com.pk/30-Aug-2017/mian-muhammad-bakhsh-a-great-punjabi-sufi-poet). *The Nation*. 30 August 2017. Retrieved 8 October 2020. Mian Sahib's great grandfather belonged to a clan Paswal Gujjar. He came to Khari Sharif from village Chak-Behram of Gujrat, Punjab. Gujrat is an adjoining district to Mirpur, Kashmir.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Saif-ul-Malook; The Lake of Fairies in 1870's"](https://pdf.defence.pk/threads/saif-ul-malook-the-lake-of-fairies-in-1870s.595795/). *Pakistan Defence*. 9 January 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Mian Muhammad Bakhsh – A great Punjabi Sufi Poet"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190322044412/https://nation.com.pk/30-Aug-2017/mian-muhammad-bakhsh-a-great-punjabi-sufi-poet). *nation.com.pk*. Archived from [the original](https://nation.com.pk/30-Aug-2017/mian-muhammad-bakhsh-a-great-punjabi-sufi-poet) on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 18 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Jahangir, Emperor of Hindustan (1999). [*The Jahangirnama memoirs of Jahangir, Emperor of India*](https://dx.doi.org/10.5479/sil.849796.39088018028456). Freer Gallery of Art, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.5479/sil.849796.39088018028456](https://doi.org/10.5479%2Fsil.849796.39088018028456).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [Shackle, Christopher](/source/Christopher_Shackle) (8 March 2012). ["Punjabi Sufi Poetry from Farid to Farid"](https://academic.oup.com/book/32479). In Malhotra, Anshu; Mir, Farina (eds.). *Punjab Reconsidered: History, Culture, and Practice*. Oxford University Press. pp. 3–34. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198078012.001.0001](https://doi.org/10.1093%2Facprof%3Aoso%2F9780198078012.001.0001). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-19-908098-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-19-908098-4).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-APNA1_11-0)** [Speakers pay rich tributes to Sufi poet Mian Muhammad Bakhsh](http://apnaorg.com/prose-content/english-articles/page-164/article-9/index.html) [Academy of the Punjab in North America](/source/Academy_of_the_Punjab_in_North_America) (APNA) website, Published 17 February 2016, Retrieved 31 December 2017

## Further reading

- Miyān̲ Muḥammad Bak̲h̲sh (1999). Ḍākṭar Faqīr Muḥammad Faqīr (ed.). [*Sayf al-mulūk*](https://www.rekhta.org/ebooks/saiful-mulook-miyan-mohammad-bakhsh-ebooks?lang=ur) (in Punjabi). Lāhaur: al-Faiṣal Nāshirān va Tājirān-i Kutub. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [969-503-093-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/969-503-093-9). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [1241708889](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1241708889).

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Mian Muhammad Bakhsh](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Mian_Muhammad_Bakhsh).

- [Full text of *Saiful Malūk* poetry of Mian Muhammad Bakhsh](http://www.apnaorg.com/poetry/mian/)

- [Kalam of Mian Muhammad Bakhsh on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfx2LMW7tmg)

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