MULTAN, Jan 25: A sum of Rs 2 million has been released by the Punjab government for conservation of mausoleum of Baloch folk hero Mir Chakar Khan Rind at Okara district under a Rs3.566 million scheme.

According to Punjab archaeology department officials, work on the conservation scheme is likely to begin by the end of next month.

According to a book by S.A.J Shirazi, the Baloch king from 15th century, Chakar Khan, also known as Chakar-i-Azam, lived in Sevi (Sibbi) in Balochistan and became the head of Rind tribe after the death of his father Mir Shahak Khan. He had founded a kingdom which, however, proved short-lived due to civil war between Lashari and Rind tribes of Balochistan.

He is the centre of Balochi love lore and war ballad. Mir Chakar Khan and Mir Gwaharam Khan, the head of Lashari tribe, fought a long war that spanned over many years and the ballads that are still the part of Baloch oral literature, commemorate the personal gallantry of the two heroes.

After the war, Mir Chakar Khan Rind settled in Satghara area in Punjab in 1518. Afghan king Sher Shah Suri had sought help from Mir Chakar Khan Rind but he refused. His forces, under the command of his son Mir Shahdad Khan joined Humayun when after a long exile in Persia, the Mughal king came back, recaptured Delhi, and ousted Suri dynasty in 1556. Emperor Humayun, as a reward, conferred a vast land holding upon him and Mir Chakar Khan ruled there till his death in 1565. His followers who had accompanied him to Satghara, built a tomb after the death of the hero. — APP