Haqiqat Rai

Who is Haqiqat Rai?

Veer Haqiqat Rai, commonly known as Haqiqat Rai, was born at Sialkot to Durga and Bhag Mal, Kshatriya of the Puri subcaste. He Belongs to Hindu Community.

While at school he heard Hindu gods or goddesses being abused by Muslim classmates, and in return was rude about Muhammnad. For this he was sentenced by a Qadi for execution. Here the sources disagree again, some saying that the Qadi's sentence provided the option of conversion to Islam instead of execution, others that an appeal was lodged with Zakriya Khan, governor of Lahore, who decreed that he could be pardoned only if he accepted Islam as punishment for blasphemy. Haqiqat Rai refused conversion and was executed. Haqiqat Rai was executed on 20 January 1735. The day of his execution used to be marked by a 'mela' on Vasant Panchami day in Lahore, around his 'samadhi', before India's partition. It appears his 'samadhi' was wrecked during riots in Lahore.