Qadir Yar: The Poetic Pioneer of Punjab’s Social Tragedies

By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam 20 September 2025 Qadir Yar (1802–1892), a luminary of the Sikh Empire, transformed romantic kissa poetry into poignant social tragedies. His masterpiece, Puran Bhagat, explores psychological depth and fate, earning him acclaim and an award from Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Main Points: 1. Revolutionised kissa poetry with social tragedy themes. 2. Puran Bhagat delves into psychological character analysis. 3. Born in Machhi-ke, later settled in Sheikhupura. 4. Embraced Islam under Muslim saints’ influence. 5. Authored six works, including Raja Rasalu and Sohni-Mahiwal. ------ Qadir Yar (1802–1892), born Qadar Baksh, was a distinguished Muslim Sandhu Jat poet of the Punjabi language, celebrated for his evocative qissas during the Sikh Empire. Hailing from Machhike village in Gujranwala, Punjab (now in Pakistan), he belonged to an agriculturalist family. Educated at the village mosque, Qadir Yar rose to prominence as a court poet in the Lahore Darbar under Maharaja Ranjit Singh. His masterpieces, such as Kissa Puran Bhagat and Kissa Raja Rasalu, redefined Punjabi poetry by blending romantic traditions with profound social tragedies, leaving an enduring legacy in Punjabi literature. Qadir Yar stands as a shining star of the Sikh Empire during Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s reign, revolutionising the romantic kissa tradition. Before him, love stories dominated poetic narratives, but Qadir Yar transformed this trend by infusing social tragedy into his works, offering a deeper psychological exploration of human emotions and societal dynamics. Born in Machhi-ke village, Gujranwala district, Qadir Yar, a Sandhu Jat by caste, later settled in Sheikhupura. Under the influence of Muslim saints, he embraced Islam, a significant turning point in his life. His literary genius earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his masterpiece, Kissa Puran Bhagat, which brought him a prestigious award from Maharaja Ranjit Singh. As he himself wrote: The composition of Puran Bhagat, Brought him the award of a well from Ranjit Singh. Qadir Yar’s Kissa Puran Bhagat is a poignant social tragedy that delves into the psychological depth of its characters, Raja Salwan, Rani Luna, Puran Bhagat, and Rani Achhran. His lyrical brilliance vividly portrays their emotions and conflicts, offering a nuanced perspective on human nature. Unlike traditional narratives, Qadir Yar’s work reflects a vision that evolves with time, as later poets like Shiv Kumar Batalvi offered distinct interpretations of these characters. The ballad captures the heart-wrenching maternal love of Rani Achhran, Puran’s mother, who is devastated by her son’s separation and loses her sight in grief. When she learns of a saint’s arrival in Puran’s garden, which miraculously blooms again, hope rekindles in her heart. She exclaims: Puran has left no hope for me, No source of consolation, I too should seek the divine remedy for my blind eyes. Puran, unjustly punished by his father, Raja Salwan, due to the manipulations of his stepmother, Rani Luna, is later revealed to be the saint in the royal garden. When Salwan, enraged by Luna’s deceit, attempts to kill her, Puran intervenes, displaying profound wisdom: O King, it is not her fault, We are mere toys in the hands of destiny, Uncertain of what to do or what not to do. Before departing, Puran blesses Luna, prophesying that she will bear a brave son but will ultimately face the same sorrow as his mother, Achhran. Qadir Yar’s second notable work, Kissa Raja Rasalu, tells the story of Raja Rasalu, Luna’s son, born with Puran’s blessings. A courageous and valiant king, Rasalu succeeds Salwan but meets a tragic end on the battlefield in his prime. Luna’s grief mirrors Achhran’s, fulfilling Puran’s prophecy and underscoring the cyclical nature of fate. Much like John Keats, Qadir Yar was a poet of beauty, weaving vivid imagery into his works. In Puran Bhagat, the enchanting beauty of Prince Puran captivates both Queen Luna and Queen Sundran. Sundran, in particular, is so mesmerised by Puran’s charm that she is “carried away by the finger of beauty,” as Qadir Yar eloquently describes. Other Notable Works Qadir Yar’s literary repertoire includes six major compositions: 1. Kissa Puran Bhagat 2. Kissa Raja Rasalu 3. Kissa Sohni-Mahiwal 4. Var Hari Singh Nalwa 5. Mehrajnama 6. Rajnama While Puran Bhagat remains his crowning achievement, Kissa Sohni-Mahiwal is another gem. Qadir Yar’s originality shines through in his vivid depiction of nature’s fury on the fateful night when Sohni sets out to meet Mahiwal. The stormy weather, thundering clouds, and dark, ominous night are portrayed with remarkable clarity and intensity. Like his contemporaries Hashim and Mukbil, Qadir Yar’s style is concise yet powerful. However, Qadir Yar’s portrayal of women often reflects the biases of his time. In Sohni-Mahiwal, he cautions: Let not women be held too dear, Lest they become a headache later. First, they destroy their lovers, Then weep for them in remorse. Qadir yar is at his best when he describes the love-affair of Sohni and Mahiwal. He has laid stress on the various aspects of their sacred and sincere love. His reticence of style, however, gives way to voluptuous description when he delineates Sohni’s beautiful figure. Like a master sculptor he chisels her features step by step - Her teeth were like stringed pearls Her voice was sweet like the Koel’s Her chin had the form of an almond Her mouth was narrow Her arms had been chiselled artistically Her fingers were delicate like pea-pods Her torso had been shaped expertly Out of the solid slab of crystal Her breasts were heavenly apples Full of the nectar of juicy pomegranates Her belly, was the abode of Love The very mention of which intoxicates the mind But the one who gets a glimpse of it Loses his senses altogether. The poet has made use of Dohras (rhymed couplets) in this poem. Two Dohras form a Chhand (a unit of two rhymed couplets). There are 171 Chhands in it. (Qadir Yar by Niranjan Singh Tasneem, page 16-17) Qadir Yar’s ability to blend social commentary, psychological depth, and poetic beauty has cemented his place as a literary giant of the Sikh Empire. His works, particularly Puran Bhagat, continue to resonate with readers for their emotional intensity and timeless themes of fate, love, and tragedy. ---- A regular contributor to New Age Islam, Sahil Razvi is a research scholar specialising in Sufism and Islamic History. He is an alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia. URl: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/qadir-yar-poetic-pioneer-social-tragedies/d/136909 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism