Punjab . Historical Background

A Confluence of Cultures

Throughout the ages Punjab was a crucible of culture. An unending amalgamation of communities and confluence cultures took place resulting in a pragmatic, experimental and utilitarian outlook on life and a robust common-sense view which debilitated the root of all sorts of dogmas, conventions and conservatism.

Arab Muslims under the leadership of Mohammad Bin Qasim raided Sind and Multan in 713 AD; that was Punjab’s involvement with the next phase of military, political and cultural conflicts. Other armies from West and Central Asia followed over the next 1000 years. The Ghoris, Mongols and Ghaznavids swept across the Khyber Pass and down into Punjab to plunder, but they were not interested in establishing their rule and staying in the country permanently. During this convulsive period the Natha mendicants kept alive the cardinal spirit of India. The clash of cultures was also responsible for the birth of the Sufi tradition. Khwaja Moinuddin Chist, one of the greatest of the Sufis, arrived at Lahore in 1190. Farid-ud-Din Ganj-i-Shakar (1 173-1265) is the first Sufi poet, who wrote in Punjabi – then a sort of North Indian lingua franca. It was an amalgamation of Hindi and Multani. Other Sufis like Shah Hussain, All Haider and Ghulam Farid identified themselves with what is commonly termed as Punjabiat, and sang in the language of the land the songs of love, humanity and God.

The text and images in this section are from the Archives of the Punjab Government.
Punjab Govt. , Plot No. 3, sector 38, Chandigarh. Telephone Nos : 0091-172-694889, 0091-172-694997

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