Dulla Bhatti’s Legacy Celebrated During Panjab’s ‘Lohri’ Festivities

In Panjab’s annual Lohri celebrations, the legend of Rai Abdullah Khan Bhatti—popularly known as Dulla Bhatti—stands central as elders pass on stories of his defiance against Mughal rule in the 16th century. A folk hero often likened to Robin Hood, Dulla is said to have looted imperial caravans and redistributed wealth among the needy, aiming to disrupt Emperor Akbar’s authority and avenge the executions of his father and grandfather. Folklore holds that he famously rescued two Brahmin (dominant upper caste) girls, Sundri and Mundri, from being forced into Akbar’s harem, later arranging their weddings with great pomp. Born shortly after his father Farid Bhatti was killed and his corpse displayed to the populace as a warning by the Mughals, Dulla initially remained unaware of his lineage until provoked by a villager who mocked him for minor mischief, prompting him to confront his mother Ladhi and embrace his father’s weapons. Historically, the Bhatti clan had resisted Akbar’s revenue reforms, which centralized tax collection in ways that threatened local chieftains’ influence. Dulla’s guerrilla raids and sabotage in the Bari Doab region forced Akbar to recalibrate his approach, offering land revenue exemptions to maintain stability. Dulla was ultimately captured and publicly hanged in Lahore in 1599, refusing to yield even at the gallows. Dulla is often immortalized in popular Panjabi folk music, such as Sundar Mundriye, written in the Vaar (ballad) style of poetry—a war ballad-style of writing—song on the Lohri festival. Dulla is a contemporary of the Sufi saint Shah Hussain and the fifth founder of Sikh religion Guru Arjan. Today, his saga transcends religious lines as Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs jointly revere him for his bravery and benevolence, reaffirming the spirit of unity at every Lohri (WD Vol 2, Issue 3, Story 10).