Noori Jaam Tamachi

Noori Jaam Tamachi is one of the seven love stories written by Shah Abdul Latif Bhitaj in his poetic book, Shah Jo Risalo. This is also another love story from Sindh.  This love story potrays how Noori was able to sustain Jaam Tamachi ‘s love with her obedience and domicile behavior. It is the only story of love fulfillment and happiness among the seven

Noori was the daughter of fisher man who lived in a straw hut near Keenjhar Lake. Noori means “light” and she was as beautiful as a full moon.  She was not only beautiful but also good mannered unlike other fisherwomen who were uncouth and dark as they had to spent lot of time selling fish caught by their menfolk.  Fishermen live in small hut with straw roof as they relocate based on fish availability. The fishing was only means of livelihood for people around Keenjhar Lake.  Noori used to catch fish or play in the waters of the lake or she was completely lost in the blue mesmerizing waves of the lake. She wanted to live near the Keenjhar Lake so much that she wanted to spend a lifetime.

Jaam Tamachi was the ruler of Sindh, Thatta, Pakisthan . He belonged to the Samma dynasty.  Between Jherruk and Thatta there were three lakes – Keenjhar, Chholmari and Sonahri.  Jaam Tamachi was fond of hunting and travelling. Once he went on a luxury trip to Keenjhar Lake. 

The woods surrounding the lake were good hunting grounds. Jaam Tamachi was  a good hunter so he spent a fair lot of time in woods and was ready to relax in lake before returning to Palace.

Noori was helping her father unload some nets and catch of the day. There was an sudden uproar in the silent village and everybody were shouting that “king is coming”. Noori had never seen a king in her lifetime. She was wondering if he was wearing clothes made of gold. She wanted to see how the king dressed. But as soon as the handsome King came near to Noori , She forgot about everything and it was love at first sight for both of them. It was strange for a King to fall in love with a poor fisherman’s daughter but many in the fishing village weren’t shocked as she was a beauty.

He asked for hand of Noori in marriage through his minister’s inspite of their vast social difference. The Royals never mix with someone who lived in poor village. The fisherfolks were too happy to oblige. Jaam Tamachi gifted the lake to the fisher folks as ‘jaagir’ and exempted them from paying taxes.

Jaam Tamachi brought his new bride to his palace. Jaam Tamachi used to favour Noori and spent most of the time with her and used to take her on boat rides to Keenjhar Lake in royal boat. Noori was given all luxuries but she used to be humble and simple as she was before marriage. She used to thank him for marrying her and she would love him always.

Noori ‘ s married life was good in the beginning but people in the palace looked down at her as she was a poor fisherman’s daughter. The six queens did not like her much and started poisoning the King’s mind against her. A lie if told repeatedly it would become truth . similarly the King started believing the rumours that the six queen spread. The queena had been repeatedly telling the King that Noori was stealing Jewels from various rooms of the palace and giving them to her brother whenever he visited so he could take it back to their village. Infact King also heard from his trusted aides that she was secretly handing a wooden box to her brother as he was leaving the Palace. The King was eaten with worry what if she was a thief. He wanted to clarify it himself.  The King and his guards jumped out of shadows as Noori was handing a small wooden box to her brother. King ordered Noori to handover the box to the guard. Noori heart felt heavy and she couldn’t believe her ears . she felt betrayed. King moved to see what was in the box. He was taken aback when he opened the box he saw a few fish bones and bread crumbs.

Jaam Tamachi asked in complete surprise,” what is this ?”

 Noori could sense a kind of relief in his voice as he turned with a smile. She explained that she was afraid that if she got used to lavish food in the palace she would no longer enjoy what she had eaten in her childhood days. So she had asked her mother to send her fish and bread which they have at home whenever her brother came. She kept this as a secret as she din’t want the King to think that she was a ungrateful wench. The king’s faith in her was redeemed and he no longer listened to rumours from his other wives. He saw how Noori missed the lake and her village. He took her to visit as often as possible. As he loved her he also came to love the Lake and the little village.

Noori was famous because of her humbleness  and when she died the King had her buried in a white tomb in the middle of the Keenjhar lake where they met for the first time.  Till today many people visit the tomb of Noori to celebrate the kind of love that she and the king had for each other.

The tomb of Noori 

Some people are mesmerised by what Noori would have seen in the lake, some people take photos, Some people pray , some people throw rose petals but all of them reminisce the sweet love of Noor Jaam Tamachi.