LAHORE, May 6: Whether Dulla Bhatti, who was executed by Emperor Akbar, was a hero or a villain? This is the question that haunts the officials who have been directed by the information minister to build his mausoleum and an academy after him.

Shaukat Ali Bhatti belongs to the clan of Dulla Bhatti, a Rajput, and his desire to build a mausoleum over the grave in Miani Saheb graveyard and an academy at his ancestral Pindi Bhattian is being considered as the first major decision he has taken since he became the culture minister.

According to history books and scholars, Dulla Bhatti annoyed Emperor Akbar, who then executed him outside the Delhi Gate, where a flea market now exists. He was a disciple of Shah Behlol, along with Shah Husain, and considered as the real son of the soil who stood against tyranny of a monarch.

Much has been written in praise of his bravery, mentioning him as a hero in the folklore. Some historians say the emperor also executed the then Lahore police chief, Ali, after he reported him the last words of Dulla Bhatti against him (Akbar).

Dulla Bhatti was buried in the Miani Saheb graveyard without leaving any traces of his grave. But it was later located by people of his tribe. According to the official version, Dulla Bhatti annoyed the emperor by intercepting some gifts from Kashmir and then opposing the Hindu Rajputs in the area.

"It is better to determine whether he was a hero or an outlaw before projecting him," an official said. Sources said the government has prepared a Rs5 million plan for the construction of the mausoleum and sent it to the planning and development board for approval. The issue of establishing an academy would be considered afterwards, they said.