In Balochistan, sharing its border with Iran to the West, and neighboured by the districts of Washuk to the North, Awaran to the East, and Kech to the South, lies the district of Panjgur. What makes Panjgur truly fascinating, besides its date palm groves, of course, is that its name is steeped in rich legend and history, a narrative that has been passed down through generations.
According to the recorded accounts of Henry Field, one of the tales that shroud the origins of Panjgur is an epic one, dating back to a time when the third Khalifa, Hazrat Usman (R), dispatched an army to the east to confront a wild and lawless tribe.
The annals of tradition might have left us in suspense about the battle's precise outcome, but what remains crystal clear is the intensity of the conflict that unfolded. It was a fierce and valiant struggle in which five Sahaba, revered companions of the Prophet, embraced martyrdom.
It is at this very location, where today lush date groves gently sway in the breeze, that these noble Sahaba found their eternal rest. This sacred ground, sanctified by the sacrifice of these five companions, lent its name to the place - Panjgur, which literally translates to "The Five Graves." With the passage of time, this name expanded in scope, no longer referring solely to the resting place of the Sahaba but coming to encompass the entire district of Panjgur itself.
Panjgur's etymology, thus rooted in the profound valour of its history, stands as a testament to the enduring power of legends in shaping the identities of places, carrying forward tales of bravery and sacrifice for generations to come.
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