Purukh Pant: Folktale of a Courageous, Brave, Valiant Legend of Kumaon
Folklore, Folk Legends, Folk Myths, Jagar of Kumaon-Garhwal –Haridwar (Uttarakhand) -39
Chivalry, Gallantry, Graciousness Folklores, Folk Legends, Folk Myths, Ballads of Bravery of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar, Uttarakhand –23
By: Bhishma Kukreti
Usually, Rajput had been brave fighters in Uttarakhand. However, Purukh Pant was a Brahmin Bhad (brave man).
Bhuwas Pant fathered two sons –Maha Pant and Purukh Pant. Purukh Pant was brought in his maternal uncle home in his childhood. His forehead was wide and ear were as 'Soop'. There in the village of his maternal uncle, Purukh Pant used to look after herds of animals in Nimathi forest. There he used to lay with his friends who used to build small houses by stones and mud. Purukh Pant used to take buffalo milk directly from buffalo.
Chand King was the ruler of between Kali Ganga and Ram Ganga Rivers. The kingdom was big. Kafaliya of Hat used to pluck 'Kafal' fruits for the king. Dahlila people used to make baskets. Bhandaris were store keepers. Kanyal used to clean spikes. Mahar used to look after domestic animals.
The King Narchand was a cruel king. To enter the court, a person had to salute the court dog. Nobody was allowed for performing the deity rituals and Pitar Shradh.
One day, Purukh Pant took his caws to Sundhunga forest. Purukh Pant came back home without 'Gajali' caw. Purukh pant went back to forest for searching the lost caw. Purukh saw that the Dotiyal soldiers of the king taken the caw and tied there. Those soldiers too Purukh Pant to the king. The king ordered to cut the 'Choti' of Purukh and blacken the face. The king also ordered to cut the caw tail.
Hopelessly, Purukh came back from the court. Purukh Pant was very angry on the king. Purukh Pant took the vow to finish the king and kingdom.
Purukh Pant collected Akoti, Gaida, Mahar, Kafaliya communities and founded an army. There were seven hundred army men with Purukh Pant. The army of Purukh Pant made hard sticks by Ghingara, Clubs by Katauj. They took axes and Basula. Lead by Purukh Pant, the army marched in night.
They all took blessing from Malaynath temple. The surrounded the Rajkot hills. The army burnt the houses of Dotiyal soldiers. The dog of king started barking. The king ordered his army to slip big stones from top of Rajkot hill. Army did so. Purukh and his army had to flee. The King ordered to capture Purukh pant and also declared reward on the head of Purukh Pant. Nobody could find Purukh Pant.
Purukh Pant changed his dressing and became as Jogi. In the form of Jogi, Purukh started campaign against the rule of King.
Purukh went to his maternal uncle village. Purukh met his grandmother. His grandmother did not recognize him but offered Kheer to Jogi on 'pattal' (leave plate). Purukh started taking kheer but Kheer came out from 'pattal'. His grandmother told "You don't know to take Kheer and Purukh Pant does not know winning Seerakot."
Purukh Pant asked the technique of winning Seerakot. His grandmother told that Purukh Pant should capture water source that armed forces die by thirst.
Purukh Pant went to the capital Seerakot in jogi (sage) form. His fame was reached to the king. The king called Purukh Pant (Jogi). The king asked Purukh Pant (Jogi) to get something from him. Jogi form Purukh demanded water from water source for his Sandhya. The king accepted the demand thinking that it would be only a liter or so.
When the army went to take water from water source, the Jogi told that now, he was the owner of water source. Jogi asked money for water. Due to fear of cursing by Jogi, the king started paying money for water to Purukh Pant. This way Purukh Pant got money and again he built his huge army by that money from king.
Now, the king understood that Jogi was Purukh Pant.
Purukh pant attacked to king Narchand. Purukh pant won the war and became king.
After some time, Purukh Pant went to Kedarnath temple. There, Bhotiya women cook were cooking meal for him. Purukh Pant insulted Bhotiya women.
F While returning from Kedarnath, for some reason Purukh Pant was alone. The widows of Chand king army men of Seerakot battle killed Purukh Pant by drawing him into pond.
Source; Kumaon ki Lok Gathayen
Copyright (Interpretation) @ Bhishma Kukreti, 29/5/2013
Folklore, Folk Legends, Folk Myths of Kumaon-Garhwal-Haridwar (Uttarakhand) to be continued…40
Chivalry, Gallantry, gracious Folklores, Folk Legends, Folk Myths of Garhwal, Kumaon, Uttarakhand to be continued…24
Curtsey and references:
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Notes on Purukh Pant: Folktale of a Courageous, Brave, Valiant Legend of Kumaon; Purukh Pant: Folktale of a Courageous, Brave, Valiant Legend of Pithoragarh, Kumaon; Purukh Pant: Folktale of a Courageous, Brave, Valiant Legend of Askot, Kumaon; Purukh Pant: Folktale of a Courageous, Brave, Valiant Legend of Bageshwar, Kumaon; Purukh Pant: Folktale of a Courageous, Brave, Valiant Legend of Champawat, Kumaon; Purukh Pant: Folktale of a Courageous, Brave, Valiant Legend of Almora, Kumaon; Purukh Pant: Folktale of a Courageous, Brave, Valiant Legend of Nainital, Kumaon; Purukh Pant: Folktale of a Courageous, Brave, Valiant Legend of Udham Singh Nagar, Kumaon
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Bhishma Kukreti
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