The legends of the Panjâb

THE SONG OP
No. XITI.
NEGI BAHADIJR,
AS SUNG IN JUNGA, THE CAPITAL OF THE KTONTHAL
STATE.
[This is a love-song and probably refers to some intrigue in the hills about
Simla which attained to local notoriety. Bah4dur or Sabdfi, as he is called
in the song, is described as having been a Negt, or Military Commander
in the Kyonthal State, but when he lived I have been unable to find out.
There is nothing in this song which would give the least clue to his date.]
[The geography of the song is local as usual, excepting as to one place which
I was told was near Srinagar in Garhw^l.]
[It is valuable for its grammar and vocabulary, but its disjointed and spasmodic
nature has made it very difficult to render the doubtful words and
passages. It seems to consist of a, long string of locally familiar images
and proverbial expressions, which it would require a native of Kyonthal
to adequately explain, could one be found to do so.].
TEXT.
Rag Nigt Bahadur.
Nigi gawanda na Bah§,dur gale pare roya shoka :
Chhoti rakam ri laichi live thande pani ra lota.
Bahadur re ghartu dhishu dura da Dilli.
Ishi raM jiu di mere jtshi dahm khi billt.
5 Ghyo bharmiri gtiire, tel bharmin kuppe.
Mana silgi maniye, dhuan honda na loe.
Kothi pari Shimla,* Naliyet talao.
Gujji lagi bedno, honda pagra na ghao.
Jongo re bere da hola pathar rk miro.
10 Ohatro rove jio da, murakh dio sarli lire.
Devi re mandar di holi ghungru re m^la.
Koe bhari akhti shigi lime sambhalo.
Mahari biro kho soan dhiso Kanhar.J
Dhire hoe bhalre, teri bhMi na naviro.
* SHmla, tte local pronunciation of Simla,
t Near Simla. J 25 miles from Simla.