Shahdad and Mahnaz

Shahdad and Mahnaz () is one of the popular tragic romances of the Balochistan, Pakistan.

Love story

Mir Shahdad Rind was the eldest son of Mir Chakar Khan Rind, a mythical leader, a larger then life figure of Sibi. Shahdad was a brave noble warrior who helped Mughal Emperor Humayun recapture his throne from Suris. The love of his life was Mahnaz, his second wife. They were inseparable and exchanged poems as token of love. Murgo his first wife overcome with jealousy and conspired to bring AbOUT Mahnaz's downfall. By intrigues while disguising herself as a man, she succeeded in convincing Shahdad that Mahnaz, is in love with the shepherd Umar. Shadad got infuriated and cursed Mahnaz and accused her character. She pleaded and implored her innocence but Shahdad remained unmoved by her pleas. Mahnaz left Shahdad with a broken heart and returned to her family.

To prove her innocence and restore her family honor Mehnaz undertook a trial in the presence of witnesses from both families. In the trial, Mehnaz has to retrieve a ring from a pot of boiling oil, if she does this without scalding herself she will prove her innocence. Calmly she puts her hand in the pot and removes the ring, without injury. Shadad is overjoyed and rushes to embrace her, but she turns away. He begs forgiveness, but now Mahnaz has lost her faith in his love and insists that Shahdad divorce her. He is shattered but faced with no option, complies with her request.

To further wound Shahdad's pride she married the shepherd Umar. This distresses him deeply; Mahnaz has chosen a shepherd and rejected him. Shahdad having lost his love repents his folly for the remainder of his life.

See also

• Mir Chakar Khan Rind
• Rind
• Pakistani folklore