Historical Background

Every culture in the world has its own collection of stories. These stories are vivid recollection of great deeds of moral decisions, love, bravery, betrayal as well as lucid narration of extraordinary events. These small stories generally fuse to narrate the actual history of the culture. One common trait of many folk stories is the declaration of a ‘hero’. Heroes are usually ordinary humans who step out of their way and do extraordinary deeds. They generally are role models to the intent listener. Sindh has its own array of heroes. The Heroes of Sindh included poets, adventurers, mystics, saints and singers as well as defenders of the land against foreign invaders. One such hero was Dooleh Daryah Khan. Dooleh Daryah Khan was a servant-cum-regent of the Samma Dynasty’s ruler Jam Nizamuddin the Second. He was a brilliant tactician, strategist and warrior. Along with his fealty to Jam Nizamuddin-II, Dooleh Daryah Khan had in fact sworn fealty to his homeland, Sindh. He was the spearhead to fend off Mughal invasions during the reign of the Jam Nizamuddin the Second.

After Jam Nizamuddin the Second’s death, Dooleh Daryah was commanded to retire by the Jam Feroz as Daryah Khan continued to be influential in the court which was always a concern for a new timid ruler. On compliance, Dooleh Daryah retired to his privately owned land west of the River Indus known as ‘Ghaha’. However, he was summoned by Jam Feroz to aid him in reclaiming Thatta which had been taken from him by his rival Jam Salah-ud-din due to his own incompetence. Dooleh Daryah obliged due to the shear love of Jam Nizamuddin the Second even though he had no sympathy for the successor. Upon being reinstated, Jam Feroz showed ineptitude yet again by allowing Mughal settlements in the vicinity of the capital despite vehement opposition by Dooleh Daryah. Dooleh Daryah had already fought a war against these foreigners and he still did not trust them. In disgust, he retired once again to his land. Dooleh Daryah Khan’s anxieties came to life when the Afghan Arghuns under Shah Beg Arghun launched their assault on the throne at Thatta. Jam Feroz conceded without a fight and fled. Dooleh Daryah, out of fealty to his land, mustered an army and met the invaders in fiery combat. The battle was won by the invaders and the Dooleh was martyred. Sindh’s golden age thus came to an end with the Dooleh’s death. His selfless love for his land is still scattered across the province as tales, stories and myths.