Makhdoom Bilawal: The Immortal Symbol of Sindh’s Resilience and Martyr of Freedom
Makhdoom Bilawal Shaheed by caste Samo was not only a revered Islamic scholar, Sufi, and poet but also a hero of Sindh who sacrificed his life in resistance against foreign invaders. Born in 1451 AD (856 AH) in Sindh, he is also known as Makhdoom Bilal or Bilali Makhdoom. and widely as Makhdoom Bilal Ghane Waro (بلاول گهاڻي وارو)
He was son Jam Hassan Samo, and a disciple of Shaykh Dost Ali Sistani, who was a direct disciple of Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani, a renowned Sufi scholar and saint. His unwavering commitment to his homeland and his ultimate sacrifice make him an immortal symbol of Sindh’s resilience.
The Warrior Saint of Sindh
Makhdoom Bilawal was not just a spiritual leader but also a warrior who stood against the invasion of Sindh by the Central Asian Argun rulers. When the Arguns sought to seize Sindh, he became a powerful voice of resistance, encouraging the people to fight against the oppression. His call for defiance and freedom made him a threat to the invading forces, who sought to silence him.
Martyrdom for Sindh’s Freedom
After the Battle of Talti, Makhdoom Bilawal was captured by the Argun rulers for his strong opposition to their rule. Instead of surrendering, he remained steadfast in his principles, choosing martyrdom over submission. He was crushed alive in a seed grinder, a brutal execution ordered by the invaders to instill fear among the people of Sindh. However, his sacrifice only strengthened the spirit of resistance, and he became an eternal symbol of bravery and patriotism.
بلاول گهاڻي وارو کي ارغون حملہ آورن جي مخالفت ڪرڻ سبب سزا طور گهاڻي ۾ پيسي شهيد ڪيو ويو. هو 30 صفر 929 هجري (1522ع) تي گهاڻي ۾ پيسجي پنهنجي جان سنڌ تي قربان ڪئي. سندس قرباني سنڌ جي بهادري ۽ مزاحمت جي علامت بڻجي وئي.
Poetry and Teachings: A Voice of Resistance
Makhdoom Bilawal was also a gifted poet, expressing his mystical and revolutionary thoughts through Persian and Sindhi poetry. His verses reflected themes of divine love, self-sacrifice, and devotion to justice. One of his Persian quatrains encapsulates his philosophy:
Surrender yourself to God
Lose your will into His
Self-assertion is blasphemy
Shun the Self and merge into Him
His poetry was not just about spirituality but also about standing against injustice and remaining devoted to truth and righteousness.
Shrine of Makhdoom Bilawal: A Symbol of His Legacy
Today, the shrine of Makhdoom Bilawal stands in ‘Baghban’ near the town of Dadu, Sindh, Pakistan. It is a sacred place where people gather to pay homage to his sacrifice and seek spiritual blessings. The mosque at his tomb was built by one of his devoted followers, Sardar Sakhi Mahboob Khan Wagan, the chief of the Wagan tribe. His shrine remains a beacon of Sindh’s resistance, courage, and spiritual heritage.
The Everlasting Legacy of a Sindhi Hero
Makhdoom Bilawal’s name is etched in history as a warrior, a martyr, and a guardian of Sindh’s sovereignty. His defiance against foreign rule and his ultimate sacrifice for the people of Sindh make him a timeless hero. His legacy continues to inspire generations, reminding them of the importance of standing against tyranny and upholding justice.
Conclusion: Bilawal Ghane Waro – The Unyielding Son of Sindh
Sindh has given birth to countless brave warriors like Raja Dahir, the Doda warriors(دودا)who fought invaders and never surrendered, even when their heads were cut off. Makhdoom Bilawal, known as (بلاول گهاڻي وارو)Bilawal Ghane Waro, stood as a symbol of unwavering courage and defiance.
Makhdoom Bilal, was martyred on January 17, 1522 (30 Safar 929 AH). Each year, on this date, devotees gather at his shrine in Baghban, near Dadu, Sindh, to honor his sacrifice and legacy.
His brutal martyrdom in a seed grinder is a testament to his unbreakable spirit and commitment to Sindh’s sovereignty. His sacrifice continues to inspire the people of Sindh, reminding them to uphold justice, resist oppression, and honor the legacy of those who gave their lives for freedom.
بلاول گهاڻي وارو انهيءَ ڪري سڏيو وڃي ٿو جو هن ارغون حملہ آورن جي ظلمن خلاف آواز اٿاريو. 1522ع ۾، کيس ظلم جي علامت بڻائيندي گهاڻي ۾ پيسي شهيد ڪيو ويو. سنڌ جي آزادي لاءِ پنهنجي جان قربان ڪندڙ هيءُ بهادر هميشه لاءِ سنڌ جي دلين ۾ زندهه رهندو.