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Preface
This is the eighth book، in serial order،
compiled under the Sindhi Adabi Board's Folklore
and Literature project،
approved in 1956،
for the collection،
compilation and publication of sindhian
folklore.
The work on this project was started in January
1956،
and the first two years were devoted mainly to
the collection of the oral tradition and the
written record. The oral tradition was reduced
to writing through a net-work of field workers،
one stationed in each taluka area. The
compilation and publicaton work commenced from
1959. So far 36 volumes have been published and
this is 37th volume published under this
project.
JANgnama
(plu) or War Ballads is the subject
matter of this book. These ballads (mainly the
bait compositions) pertain to the fights and
Forays between various opposing parties،
the more orgnized battles between groups and
tribes،
or the wars between the ruling chiefs. The texts
of have been recorded from oral tradition
current in different parts of Sindh and some of
the adjoining areas. The earliest brief
composition that has come to light pertains to
the year 970 A. H. (1562 A.D) when Murid Khan
Baloch killed Mirza Muhammad Saleh،
the Tarkhan ruler of Thatta. The latest
composition are those pertaining to the period
of British rule on Sindh،
mainly the 19th century.
Besides its literary value، the material
which has been collected and compiled in the
present book is of historical importance. It is
an entirely new source of information which
throws light on a number of events not recorded
in historical works.
Hyderabad،
Sindh
N.A. Baloch
18th March 1984
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