Mirza Sahiban is another popular romance story from the province of Punjab. Mirza; the son of Wanjal Khan Ruler of the Kharral tribe was a handsome young man. They lived in Danababad, a village near present day Faisalabad. The beautiful Sahiban was the daughter of Khewa Khan the chief of the Sayyal tribe.
The parents of both were distantly related making Mirza and Sahiban cousins. Much of Mirza’s childhood was spent at Sahiban’s place. As the two playmates grew up, they realised that they were actually soul mates. Sahiban was known for her dazzling looks while Mirza enjoyed the reputation of being a bold brave person, a remarkable horse rider and an accomplished archer who never missed a target.
The deep love of both soon became the talk of the town and Khewa Khan quickly arranged Sahiban’s marriage with Tahir Khan; a young man of his tribe. Desperate, Sahiban sent a message to Mirza to come and rescue her. Mirza obliged and the two of them eloped on the wedding day. When Sahiban’s brothers and the bridegroom came to know about this, they chased the couple.
Meanwhile Mirza, thinking that he had gained sufficient lead, decided to rest under the trees for a while. Sahiban implored him not to but he was so confident of himself that he did not pay any heed to her pleas. He assured her that it will only take a couple of arrows to get rid of her brothers. Mirza slept while Sahiban kept a watch.
Now Sahiban found herself caught between the devil and the deep sea. On one hand was the love of her life and on the other her brothers; her own flesh and blood. Thinking that even they (her brothers) cared for her and would forgive the runaways once they saw them, she took Mirza’s arrows and broke them.
Mirza woke up with a start when he heard the thundering of the hooves and reached out for his arrows but couldn’t find them. Sahiban’s brother showered arrows which struck Mirza, to shield him from the arrows, Sahiban threw herself over Mirza’s body and was struck by arrows too. The two lovers died leaving behind a tale to be told for centuries to come.
