Publisher's Synopsis
TAKHT HAZARA1 is a pleasant place on the banks of the river Chenab. There streams are flowing and gardens smiling. It is a Paradise on earth. It is the abode of the Ranjhas2 who live there in proud luxury. Their young men are heedless and handsome and care naught at all for any man. They lord it with earrings in their ears and new shawls over their shoulders. They are proud of their beauty and each one out-rivals the other in his glory. Mauju3 Chaudhri4 was chief land owner in the village. He had eight sons and two daughters. He lived in wealth and happiness with his family, esteemed by his brethren and honoured by all. Of all his sons Ranjha was the most beloved of his father; and as his father loved him, so his brethren hated him. For fear of their father they would not wound him openly but their secret taunts pierced his heart, even as snakes strike sleeping men in the dark. Now it came to pass on the Night of Nights5 that the leaves of the Tree of Life were shaken and by the decree of God, Mauju died. And Ranjha's brothers and their wives redoubled their taunts, saying, 'You eat the bread of idleness and drink two men's share of buttermilk.'6 And they meditated in their hearts some device by which they might be rid of him. So they sent for the Qazi7 and the assembly of the elders to measure the family land. They gave bribes to the Qazi and thus the good land was given to the brothers and the barren and inhospitable land was given to Ranjha: and Ranjha' s enemies flapped their arms exultantly and said, 'Now Ranjha's brethren have entangled him in a net.' And they jeered at the Jat, saying, 'How can a man plough who wears long hair and anoints his head with curds?8 What woman will marry such a ne'er-do-well?' And his brothers jeered saying, 'He wears a looking-glass9 on his thumb like a woman. He plays on the flute all day and sings all night. Let the boy quarrel about the land if he so wills. His strength will not avail against us who are many. So Ranjha, heavy at heart, took out his yoke of oxen to the field to plough; but his soul was sad within him, and the sun smote him sore. And being tired of ploughing, when, he came to a shady place, he took the yoke pegs out from the yoke and lay down to rest. And Sahiba, his brother's wife, brought him food. Arid he told of his sorrows to Sahiba, his brother's wife: 'Sister, I do not like this ploughing; the soil is hard, my hands are blistered and my feet are exceedingly sore. The good days when my father was alive are alas! gone and now evil days have fallen upon me.' And Sahiba replied tauntingly, 'Verily you were your father's darling but the very shame of your mother.' Whereupon Ranjha's anger was hot within him and he replied, 'It is truly written in the Holy Qur'an: "Women are ever deceivers."10 Did not women befool Raja Bhoj,11 put a bit in his mouth and drive him like a donkey round the palace? Did not women destroy the Kauros and Pan-dos?12 Did not a woman kill Ravana?13 It is you who have stirred up strife it is you who have separated me from my brethren. I used to be happy day and night with my friends, but now your evil tongues have raised up the smoke of contention. You women make men into rams so that they fight with one another.' Sahiba replied, You eat too much milk and rice, hence you are proud and overbearing. You are the only blot on our family. If you would leave your home and go hungry for a time, perhaps you might give up this devilry. You are idle and do no work. You prowl about the village making eyes at the girls. The other women of the village taunt us at the spinning parties14 and say we are in love with you. For women fall in love with such beauty as is yours; even 'as flies are caught in honey. Day and night the women run after you. Your love has ruined many households.'
