Moran Sarkar

Moran Sarkar (Punjabi: موراں سرکار) was a Punjabi Queen who married Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab in 1802.[3] She was a nautch girl before she became a queen. Maharaja was tied to slings by Akali Phula Singh for marrying with her.[4]

Moran Sarkar
A miniature painting of Moran.
Born1781
Died1862 [1]
Burial placeMiani Sahib Graveyard, Lahore [2]

Life

Mai Moran was born in a Muslim family in Makhanpur, near Lahore and Amritsar[5] She later married Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a year after he became the maharaja of Lahore at the age of 21 and was officially given a name as Maharani Sahiba. She was a nautch girl. Maharaja Ranjit Singh used to meet her in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan. She used to dance for him at the Baradari of Maharaja Ranjit Singh halfway between Amritsar and Lahore. The place was since called Pul Kanjri but now its name has been changed to 'Pul Moran'.[6] She later married Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a year after he became the maharaja of Lahore at the age of 21 and was officially given a name as Maharani Sahiba.[7] He struck a coin in the name of Rani Moran.[8] Because of this the people of Lahore began to address her as Moran Sarkar.[9]

She was considered to be very learned in arts and letters. She was known for her philanthropic[10] acts and in bringing Maharaja's attention to many problems.

The Maharaja at Moran's request, built a mosque called as Masjid-e-Tawaifan, which was renamed in 1998 as Mai Moran Masjid in Lahore.[11] This is located in Lahore's bazaar now called Pappar Mandi near Shah Almi Gate.[12]

٘٘٘٘Mai Moran Masjid in Lahore
The dilapidated Baradari at Pul Moran on the India - Pakistan border

Play

Her life story with Maharaja Ranjit Singh was made into a play by Manveen Sandhu and directed by Kewal Dhaliwal.[13]

See also

References
  1. "Mosque of Moraan Tawaif — built by the beloved wife of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh - Daily Times Pakistan".
  2. "Mosque of Moraan Tawaif — built by the beloved wife of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh - Daily Times Pakistan".
  3. "Moran, the mystery woman". Tribune India. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  4. "HARKING BACK: Mai Moran and ever-changing face of Pappar Mandi". Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  5. "Mosque of Moraan Tawaif — built by the beloved wife of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh - Daily Times Pakistan".
  6. "Memories of a Dancing Peacock - Indian Express".
  7. "The man with 20 wives". Telegraph India. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  8. "Two emperors in the same mould". Tribune India. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  9. "Mosque of Moraan Tawaif — built by the beloved wife of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh - Daily Times Pakistan". Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  10. "Fame and infamy". Business Line. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  11. "Maharaja-Moran relationship in new light". Tribune India. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  12. "HARKING BACK: Mai Moran and ever-changing face of Pappar Mandi". Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  13. "The Sunday Tribune - Spectrum".
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