Moran Sarkar


Moran Sarkar was a Punjabi Queen who married Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab in 1802. She was a nautch girl before she became a queen. Maharaja was tied to slings by Akali Phula Singh for marrying with her.

Life

Mai Moran was born in a Muslim family in Makhanpur, near Lahore and Amritsar She later married Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a year after he became the maharaja of Lahore at the age of 21 and was officially given a name as Maharani Sahiba. She was a nautch girl. Maharaja Ranjit Singh used to meet her in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan. She used to dance for him at the Baradari of Maharaja Ranjit Singh halfway between Amritsar and Lahore. The place was since called Pul Kanjri but now its name has been changed to 'Pul Moran'. She later married Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a year after he became the maharaja of Lahore at the age of 21 and was officially given a name as Maharani Sahiba. He struck a coin in the name of Rani Moran. Because of this the people of Lahore began to address her as Moran Sarkar.
She was considered to be very learned in arts and letters. She was known for her philanthropic acts and in bringing Maharaja's attention to many problems.
The Maharaja at Moran's request, built a mosque called as Masjid-e-Tawaifan, which was renamed in 1998 as Mai Moran Masjid in Lahore. This is located in Lahore's bazaar now called Pappar Mandi near Shah Almi Gate.
- Pakistan border

Play

Her life story with Maharaja Ranjit Singh was made into a play by Manveen Sandhu and directed by Kewal Dhaliwal.