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Virender Singh Dhillon
The historical shrines of erstwhile Damla in present day Yamunanagar district are in a shambles due to the indifferent attitude of the state government.
Damla is a small township, 9 km from Yamunanagar on the state highway No. 6 which connects Kurukshetra to Yamunanagar. Old Damla, which houses cenotaphs of Pirs and ruins of various mandirs are a testimony to the fact that fairs, haats and bazaars were organized regularly at this site during those times. After Partition, a majority of the Muslim population migrated to Pakistan in 1947, leaving behind their dwellings. The remnants of their culture and habitat are still visible in Damla through a number of ‘Pir’ shrines such as Kila Wala Pir, Pir Sammuddin and Pir Syed Hyder Shah. Besides, the old Hanuman Mandir, commonly known as Shibu Mal Temple, Prachin Shiva Mandir and Krishna Mandir are also in a dilapidated condition.
The founder is said to be Syed Hyder Shah, a saint who flourished in the fifteenth century during the times of Lodhis. He was an ‘alim’ (Muslim religious scholar) and a ‘Pir’ (teacher) who used to inhabit in the forest area. The legend says that Syed Hyder Shah procured the land of old Damla from some Gujjar chief of the neighbourhood. The name is said to be an abbreviation of Dam Liya, or bought with a price. The ‘Pir’ won the gratitude of a Gujjar Raja by casting evil spirits out of his daughter. The elated Raja promised to bestow on him whatever he coveted for. In recompense, the 'Pir' yearned for the land where he resided, and was vouchsafed by the Raja instantly. The 'Pir' declined the offer of free land and took out a handful of ‘Dams’ (copper coins) and solicited the Raja to handover the ‘sanad’ of the land (Laa)… ‘LEY DAM……AUR LAA’. The Raja agreed and the jungle was bought for a handful of coins. Thus, the place was named DAMLA.
The ‘Pir’ Shah happened to be a friend of some Tarin Pathans of Sirhind, who often halted for the night near his hut on their way to Haridwar to sell horses. After acquiring the jungle he sent for the Tarins and settled them on the spot. They became his devout disciples, and were rewarded with the promise of future prosperity. They built forts for themselves and became mercenary soldiers, selling their services to the highest bidder. On the demise of the ‘Pir’, his followers built a shrine, but, according to his behest, no dome was erected. The shrine of Syed Hyder Shah, who is commonly called as Pir Haider Shenshah in Damla, is known as Panch Pir Dargah or Paanch Pirron ki Dargah locally. The shrine of the ‘Pir’ is still venerated, and an annual fair is held. The shrine at present houses five cenotaphs; the chief is of the ‘Pir’. With passing time the deeds of the ‘Pir’ have got popularity. Devotees from different places flock to the dargah for his blessings. “The tradition of offering sharbat in an earthen pot to the dargah of the pir evolved as the fame of the ‘Pir’ spread. Every year, on the second day after the night of Shab-i-raat, an urs (death anniversary of saint) ceremony and a fair takes place at the dargah and people congregate with earthen pots in their hands packed with variety of sweets to please the pir for getting their desires fulfilled,” says Akbar Ali, the present custodian of the shrine, who connects himself to the ‘Pir’ and had stayed back after the exodus of the Ghadar. Still that myth is prevalent among the people of Damla that whenever anyone starts any business the land takes its price i.e Pay the Price (Dam…la).
(The writer teaches
History at Maharaja Agrasen College, Jagadhri)
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