--- title: Makhdum Niamat Ullah and Makhdum Nuh. — Folk tales of Sind and Guzarat · full text with trees description: Makhdum Niamat Ullah and Makhdum Nuh., «Folk tales of Sind and Guzarat» by C. A. Kincaid: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: Early in the 18th century the greatest saint in Sind was Makhdum Niamat Ullah, the father of a still greater religious lumin --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg76982/10/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Folk tales of Sind and Guzarat](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg76982/) / Makhdum Niamat Ullah and Makhdum Nuh. # Makhdum Niamat Ullah and Makhdum Nuh. Makhdum Niamat Ullah and Makhdum Nuh. of «Folk tales of Sind and Guzarat» by C. A. Kincaid: the whole text, 328 sentences and 6003 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg76982/10/page/2/) [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg76982/10/page/3/) Early in the 18th century the greatest saint in Sind was Makhdum Niamat Ullah, the father of a still greater religious luminary, the famous Makhdum Nuh.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") So renowned was Makhdum Niamat Ullah that an ancient fakir more than a hundred years old and known as La Ikhtyar or the Independent One was so affected by the stories told of the saintly Makhdum Niamat Ullah, that he gave up his independent life and went to Torio in the Hala taluka on the chance of seeing the object of his admiration.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") Torio was not Makhdum Niamat’s usual place of residence, but La Ikhtyar had had a vision that it would be at Torio that he would see the Desired One.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") After some weeks Makhdum Niamat Ullah did go to Torio on business and passed La Ikhtyar, as he sat on his cot.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") At once the old fakir recognised the passer-by from the radiant glow on his countenance.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") The fakir got off his cot and made the saint sit on it and knelt at his feet.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") But as Makhdum sat, the fakir’s tame birds of which he had a large number suddenly flew away.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") The saint asked the reason and was told that he would be the father of a son who would love to shoot birds.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") When the fakir’s pets learnt this, they had flown away in terror.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") After bidding the fakir goodbye, Makhdum Niamat Ullah walked into the bazaar.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") As he passed a Hindu’s shop, the owner’s wife fell so desperately in love with him, that she begged him to take her away from her husband and marry her.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") The saint could not stoop to such wickedness; but to get rid of her importunities, he promised to fetch her away that very night.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") He left her and went to take a siesta in the shade of a high wall, some streets away.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") As he slept, a certain Amin, the chief of the Lankas, passed by on his way to Lower Sind.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") He had with him a comely marriageable daughter, who at once fell in love with the sleeping saint.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") Amin woke up Makhdum Niamat Ullah and offered his daughter to him in marriage.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") The saint gladly accepted the offer and was married to the beautiful girl the same evening.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") Next morning the Hindu woman saw the saint and going up to him, reproached him for not keeping his tryst.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") The saint explained that he was now a married man and must cleave to his wife.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") He, however, blessed the amorous Hindu lady and nine months from that very day, she presented to her husband a son called Zabhar.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") On the same day as Zabhar was born, the wife of Makhdum Niamat Ullah presented her lord with a son, the celebrated Makhdum Nuh.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") Even as a tiny baby, Makhdum Nuh shewed his precocious saintliness.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") When only six days old, he compelled the fakir La Ikhtyar, who was his devoted slave, to go through the ceremony of becoming his disciple.[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") The fakir lived until his infantile preceptor was five years old; then he died at the ripe age of 106 and his tomb may still be seen at Old Hala.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") His reputation for independence has survived him and many persons who are in difficulties still visit his tomb and ask the Independent One for his advice.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") Makhdum Nuh took to the Koran, as the proverbial duck takes to water.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") At the age of seven he knew the mighty book by heart.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") At the age of fourteen he was vouchsafed a vision of no less a personage than Mahomed himself.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") As Makhdum Nuh was washing in the river his slate on which he had written some lines of the Koran, he saw a boat approach.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") In it were the Prophet, his son-in-law Ali and Huzrat Isa or Jesus.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") The boat stopped and the Holy Prophet called Makhdum Nuh by name.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") The boy went up to the boat and Jesus took his slate and wrote on one side of it fourteen lines.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") Then Ali took it and wrote on it eighteen lines and the boat glided away.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") The astonished Makhdum Nuh took his slate to his teacher, who found that what was written on it far transcended even his understanding.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") He asked his pupil what hand had written the lines.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") Makhdum Nuh told him about the three strangers in the boat; thereupon his teacher guessed what had happened and embraced the boy, as one to whom the Prophet had vouchsafed a vision.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") Makhdum Nuh became when he grew up, as prophesied by the fakir, a great bird-shot; but he also worked many and mighty miracles.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") His most famous achievement was connected with the great mosque at Tatta.[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") This mosque had been built at a cost of many lakhs of rupees by the orders of the Moghul Emperor.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") When it was completed, the faithful noted with dismay that it did not correctly face the Kaaba.[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") This was too dreadful for words; for unless a mosque faces the Kaaba properly, it is useless.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") The faithful, too, of Tatta had been bragging loudly to their neighbours about their future mosque and they now would be exposed to their mocking laughter.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") The faithful of Tatta appealed to Makhdum Nuh.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") He called to his aid another holy man Ali Shirazi and they assailed Allah with continuous and soul-compelling prayers.[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") At first nothing happened and the faithful began to murmur discordantly at the failure of the two saints.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") “But verily” as the Koran has it, “some suspicions are as sins.”[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") Another half hour’s steady prayer and the great edifice began to quiver.[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") Makhdum Nuh then called on all true Musulmans present to tie ropes to the building and pull it round; and lo! and behold! under the combined pressure of the prayers of the saints and the pushings of the faithful, the great mosque turned round slowly and then stopped dead.[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") It had come to face exactly in the true direction of Mecca.[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") Even a man so holy as Makhdum Nuh could not escape from the malice of mankind.[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") He had two great friends Muzaffar and Salar.[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") Salar had promised his daughter in marriage to Muzaffar’s son.[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") Unhappily a quarrel broke out between these two eminent men and Salar refused to give his daughter.[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") Now in Sind marriageable girls are few and this was a home thrust.[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") Muzaffar complained to Makhdum Nuh, who after hearing both sides ordered Salar to keep his promise.[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") Salar obeyed, la mort dans l’âme; but he vented his spleen by cursing the said saint in the following quatrain:[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") “O Makhdum, you have done an act not pleasing to God; You have set at nought what God had ordained.[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") You will suffer by having your corpse put in three different places after your death.”[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") The curse of this impious blasphemer was unhappily fulfilled.[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") The river Indus twice threatened the spot where Makhdum Nuh had been buried.[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") The second time the river approached so rapidly that the disciples had to remove their master’s body in broad daylight instead of at night, as was seemly.[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics") Heaven, however, came to their help.[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics") As they began to lift the body from the grave, the sky became overcast and a mist as thick as a London fog spread over the land, so that none could see the decaying remains of one who in life had been strong and beautiful.[63](63/ "tree and pragmatics") The saint’s body found its last resting place about two miles to the west of Old Hala.[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") A small town has sprung up round the tomb and is known as Murtazabad.[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics") A beautiful mausoleum now stands over Makhdum Nuh’s grave and the cupola over it was erected in 1795 A.D. by Mir Fateh Ali Khan Talpur.[66](66/ "tree and pragmatics") On the tomb were engraved the following words in order to silence possible slanderers of the dead man:[67](67/ "tree and pragmatics") “If the wind were to blow furiously all over the world It could never extinguish the lamp of those accepted by the Most High.[68](68/ "tree and pragmatics") Men who spit on a lamp, lit by Almighty God soon find that they have in their folly, set fire to their own beards.”[69](69/ "tree and pragmatics") According to my chronicler, these lines had an excellent effect.[70](70/ "tree and pragmatics") They were the proper stuff to hand out to the back-biters.[71](71/ "tree and pragmatics") HAIDARABAD.[72](72/ "tree and pragmatics") Haidarabad was once known as Nerankot and the king of it was Raja Neran.[73](73/ "tree and pragmatics") He had a beautiful daughter, who, from the exquisite skill with which she darkened her eyes with Kanjal or lampblack, reddened her cheeks with rouge and coloured her finger nails with henna, was known as Nigar or the Painted lady.[74](74/ "tree and pragmatics") Her courage was, if possible, greater even than her beauty.[75](75/ "tree and pragmatics") She scorned to ride camels or horses, as other well born Hindu ladies did.[76](76/ "tree and pragmatics") The only beast she would bestride was a lion and every evening outside Nerankot she might have been seen riding a splendid maned lion, who, when bridled by her, was as docile as the meekest ambling palfrey, to the touch of her finger on the reins.[77](77/ "tree and pragmatics") Nor would she suffer cowardice in others.[78](78/ "tree and pragmatics") She vowed and made public her vow that she would wed no man who feared to saddle and mount a lion.[79](79/ "tree and pragmatics") It so happened that Shah Makai and Haidar Ali came about this time to Sind.[80](80/ "tree and pragmatics") Shah Makai’s real name was Shah Mahmud; but because he lived at Maka or Mecca, he was known as Shah Makai.[81](81/ "tree and pragmatics") Haidar Ali’s real name was Ali.[82](82/ "tree and pragmatics") But, because as a child he had torn to pieces a live snake with his bare hands, he was called Haidar Ali or the Ali who tore the “Hai” or snake.[83](83/ "tree and pragmatics") His fortune was as great as his childhood foretold; for in due course he became the son-in-law of the holy prophet and the fourth Imam of the Faithful.[84](84/ "tree and pragmatics") As the two friends journeyed through Sind, they came to hear the fame of Nigar’s beauty and courage.[85](85/ "tree and pragmatics") Straightway they hastened to Nerankot and one evening Shah Makai saw the lovely girl astride of her lion, riding outside the walls.[86](86/ "tree and pragmatics") He fell madly in love with her.[87](87/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he heard that she had vowed not to marry anyone, unless he could tame and mount a lion.[88](88/ "tree and pragmatics") Shah Makai as a true and devout believer, had but little difficulty in performing this feat and the next time that Nigar rode abroad, she saw to her surprise and pleasure Shah Makai astride of a maned lion, hardly less majestic than her own.[89](89/ "tree and pragmatics") She asked him who he was; and learning that he had broken in the lion for love of her, she vowed that she would wed him and no other.[90](90/ "tree and pragmatics") Shah Makai sought an audience of Neran Raja and asked for his daughter’s hand.[91](91/ "tree and pragmatics") Nigar, too, pressed her father to give his consent to the marriage.[92](92/ "tree and pragmatics") But the proud king’s heart was as hard as stone and although he heard the full tale of Shah Makai’s courtship, he refused to give his daughter to one who was not a Hindu, but a Mleccha.[93](93/ "tree and pragmatics") With contumely he drove Shah Makai from his Court.[94](94/ "tree and pragmatics") When Nigar vowed that in spite of her father she would wed the bold Arabian, Raja Neran threw her into a well and had a huge stone put over its mouth.[95](95/ "tree and pragmatics") The evil news reached Shah Makai.[96](96/ "tree and pragmatics") He tried to move the stone; but it was so big, that even he, saint though he was, failed.[97](97/ "tree and pragmatics") He implored the help of Haidar Ali.[98](98/ "tree and pragmatics") To that pillar of Islam the task was light.[99](99/ "tree and pragmatics") He mounted his white mule Dhul Dhul and made it dance on the top of the stone.[100](100/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he dismounted and throwing himself at full length on the ground, he prayed Allah to remove it.[101](101/ "tree and pragmatics") He had hardly finished his prayer, when the stone rolled aside and Nigar with Haidar Ali’s help was able to climb out of the well.[102](102/ "tree and pragmatics") He gave her to Shah Makai, who carried her off in triumph.[103](103/ "tree and pragmatics") But Haidar Ali cursed the wicked Neran; and stretching wide the five fingers of his right hand made the bhundo sign at him.[104](104/ "tree and pragmatics") Not long afterwards the curse was fulfilled.[105](105/ "tree and pragmatics") The Arabs landing on the sea coast of Sind swept through the land, stormed Nerankot and killed Raja Neran.[106](106/ "tree and pragmatics") For many centuries Nerankot lay in ruins.[107](107/ "tree and pragmatics") Then the wise and pious Ghulam Shah Kalhoro came to the spot and deeming it well fitted for the site of his capital city, he rebuilt Nerankot.[108](108/ "tree and pragmatics") While the new fortress was building, he raised a small mud stronghold close to the spot where Shah Makai and the beautiful Painted Lady were in their old age buried side by side.[109](109/ "tree and pragmatics") When Nerankot was finished, Ghulam Shah Kalhoro went to live in it and renamed it Haidarabad after Haidar Ali.[110](110/ "tree and pragmatics") He gave his mud stronghold to the Fakirs who guarded Shah Makai’s tomb.[111](111/ "tree and pragmatics") Up to Burton’s time a lion—said to be a descendant of Nigar’s riding lion—used to be kept in a cage under a tamarind tree, close to Shah Makai’s last resting place.[112](112/ "tree and pragmatics") The tree still stands, but the lion has vanished.[113](113/ "tree and pragmatics") The rise in the price of lion’s food was no doubt the cause of its disappearance.[114](114/ "tree and pragmatics") **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg76982/10/page/2/) [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg76982/10/page/3/) - ← previous: [Jinda Pir.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg76982/9/) - next →: [page 2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg76982/10/page/2/) - ↑ back to [Folk tales of Sind and Guzarat](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg76982/)