Ae Baad-E-sabaa Aahista Chal

Ae Baad-E- Saba Aahista Chal- Hemant Kumar-Film Anarkali- Music C.Ramchandra

The legend of Anarkali has always haunted the historians and   the people in general, with a feeling of awe and mystery, suspense and ever lasting passionate romance. The story of Anarkali  has  originally traveled verbally from generation to generation. From whatever research available, it is believed that the lady named Nadira Begum or Sharf-Un-Nissa arrived Lahore from Persia with a traveler's caravan.

Being very attractive and expert in dance,  Nadira  got prestigious access to Akbar's court. She was awarded title of Anarkali because of her mystique beauty, and pink complexion .The royal romance between Prince Saleem and Anarkali blossomed, despite several warnings from Royalties. For the sake of his love with Anarkali, Prince Saleem revoted against Mughal Sultanat. The rebellion was crushed mercilessly and Anarkali was consigned to quiet burial alive,  for her crime to seduce Prince Saleem and aspire for Malika-E- Hindustan throne.

The story of Anarkali , however has no credence . History does not substantiate the legend. It is really strange that even neither Jehangir in his book,  Tuzk-i-Jahangiri, mentions Anarkali,  nor  any contemporary historian left any clue of her saga. The first historical mention of Anarkali is by British tourist Willaim Finch, who visited Lahore in 1608.  As per his account, Anarkali was one of the  ordinary concubines of Emperor Akbar. Akabar got suspicious that Anarkali has incestuous relations with Prince saleem (  Later Jehangir). On this ground,  he ordered her buried alive in the wall of Lahore Fort. Jehangir, after ascending to throne , constructed an octagonal shaped splendid tomb in memory of his beloved.

Noor Ahmed Chisti, in his book Tehquiqaat-i-Chishtia, mentions that Anarkali was Emperor Akbar's favourite concubine. Other two concubines  were jealous of Anarkali and turned hostile towards her. When Akabar was in Deccan, Anarkali fell ill mysteriously and died. The two concubines , afraid of Emperor's wrath, committed suicide. When Akbar came back , he ordered to create her grand tomb.  Syed Abdul lateef in his book , Tareekh-i- Lahore confirms Chishti's version. He also mentions a couplet by Jehangir on the grave in Persian " If I could behold my beloved only once, I would remain thankful a Allah till doomsday".

Thus , whoever was Anarkali, (concubine of Emperor or Persian nomad), one common thread  emerges from all historian's versions.  Anarkali had clandestine relations with saleem, and for that Emperor Akbar buried her alive. The building of Anarkali's tomb was subsequently exploited by Sikh and British rulers.It was converted into Protestant Church, a store at different times of history. Today it houses the Archives of Punjab State.

The historically famed Indian film Mughal-E-Azam , deified the character of Anarkali, presented by charismatic and most beautiful actress Madhubala, and Prince saleem,  by legendary Dilip Kumar. The legend of Anarkali still is alive, no matter what history says about her....

The film Anarkali opens with this song, on the background of her tomb in Lahore, with singer urging the visitor to remember Anarkali, lying in the tomb, amid calm and sere ambiance, with honour. He requests the visitors not to disturb her eternal rest. He tells the tale of a beautiful courtesan in ever lasting love with Prince Salim, the tale of their separation and the ultimate price of the love ...sacrifice of a life,  and the tomb ,  the final resting place of Anarkali

ऐ बाद-ए-सबा आहिस्ता चल
यहाँ सोयी है अनारकलि
आँखों मे जलवे सलीम के लिये
खोयी हुई है अनारकलि
है शहीद-ए-इश्क़ का मख़बरा
ज़रा चल अदब से यहाँ हवा
तुझे याद हो के न याद हो
मुझे याद है उस का माझरा
अभी याद है मुझे वो घड़ी
जब किसी की उस पे नज़र पड़ी
यहाँ हुस्न था वहाँ ताज था
यहाँ इश्क़ था वहाँ राज था
ये कहा सलीम ने प्यार से
हँस हँस के अपनी अनार से
तू कहे तो तारों को तोड़ लूँ
तू कहे तो ताज भी छोड़ दूँ
ज़रा देख ले क्या हवा चली
न रहा सलीम न वो कलि
यह मज़ार निशानी है प्यार की
किसी द.र्द भरी इख़रार की
किस भँवरे की इंतेज़ार मे
यहाँ सोयी है कलि अनार की

Mughal Painting of Anarkali

Bina rai as and in Anarkali

Tomb of Anarkali in walled city of Lahore

Anarkali's Grave

               

Anarkali 1953
Starcast: Pradeep Kumar, Bina Rai, Manmohan Krishna, Mubarak, Kuldip Kaur, Ruby Myers
Lyricists: Shailendra, Hasrat Jaipuri, Jan Nissar Akhtar and Rajendra Krishna.
Music: Basant Prakash/ C.Ramchandra.
Screen Play: Naseer Hussain.
Produced by Filmistan
Directed by Nandlal Jaswantlal