Sálbán

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Sálbán (or Salbahan) was a Raja (king) who founded the fort and the city of Sialkot. Raja Salbahan had two wives: Lona and Achran. Rani Lona Chumba was the daughter of the Raja of Jammu while Rani Achran belonged to a middle-class family who lived in a small village called Roras near Ugoki.

Raja Salbahan had a great respect for Rani Achran and loved her very much. He built a very attractive palace for her which was (approximately) 9 miles per square and was designed and constructed by architects and engineers from Greece. A wonderful road was built from the Fort to Rani Achran's palace that passed through Bazar Kalan, Tehseel Bazar, Shahaban, Adalat Garh and Ugoki.

As Rani Achran's palace was close to completion, she was blessed with a beautiful child who was Raja Salbahan's first son and, most likely, was going to be the next Raja. The people of Sialkot were very happy and they celebrated his birth. The palace was decorated with lights for many weeks. People visited to see the palace from all parts of the country. On the advice of the Hindu pandits and palmists, the young Prince's name was chosen to be Puran. Rani Lona was the first wife of Raja Salbahan but she had no child. So as Raja Salbahan became more close to Rani Achran, Rani Lone felt jealous of her and did not lose any chance to insult Rani Achran and Puran.

With the passage of time, Prince Puran grew up to be a handsome young man. Rani Lone Chumba felt attracted toward the young prince but he was a gentleman. Rani Lone tried to seduce the prince with all her feminine charms but he managed to escape from her room. Rani Lone felt so ashamed and angry that she lied to Raja Salbahan by telling him that Prince Puran had attempted to rape her. Raja Salbahan became so infuriated that he ordered his soldiers to cut off Prince Puran's hand and feet and throw him in a well. The soldiers carried out Raja Salbahan's orders and threw the Prince in a well outside the city.

Incidentally, a Guru who lived beside the Chenab river, Guru Gorganath, came to pass by that well with his companions. While they were resting beside the well they found the injured Prince and rescued him. After the Prince had partially recovered and related his story, Guru Gorganath invited him to join his group and started his physical recovery and spiritual training.

After few years of stay, Guru Gorganath ordered the Prince to stay beside the well, built him a camp for his residence and departed to Jehlum. Prince Puran stayed there for many years and gave spiritual advice to the people of the area. With the passage of time, he became quite famous among the people and came to be known as Puran Bhagat and his appearance changed completely.

When Puran Bhagat's fame reached the palace of Rani Lone, who was still childless, she visited him along with Raja Salbahan and requested him to pray for her. Puran told them that he would pray only if Rani Lone would tell him whether Puran was guilty or innocent. This shocked Rani Lone who revealed the truth.

Raja Salbahan was further shocked when Puran revealed his identity. He requested Puran to forgive them and accompany them to his palace but Puran refused and told them that they might be forgiven by the Lord and might get blessed with a son who should be named Rasalu.

Later, Raja Salbahan built a place for worship and arranged free distribution of food at the camp of Puran Bhagat. When he died, his samadhi (Hindu cremation ceremony) took place on a mound in front of the place where he used to dwell and a beautiful small tomb was erected in his remembrance.

Puran's well is still a famous historical place just outside the city of Sialkot. According to "Mutiny in Sialkot", there were many signs of Puran's tomb in 1857 but now there is no tomb but for a small building, a small place for worship and a running well.

Raja Rasalu was born after the death of Raja Salbahan. Sialkot prospered greatly during his rule. A war was fought between Raja Rasalu and Raja Bahoor in which Raja Bahoor was murdered.

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