Jhajjar’s Bua ka Talab whispers 390-yr-old love story

Located on the Bahadurgarh road in Jhajjar city, a quiet pond called ‘Bua ka Talab’ is not just a water body, but it is a lasting symbol of a 390-year-old love story between a high class girl named Bua and a poor woodcutter named Hasan.

As per the local legend, Bua was the daughter of Mustafa Kalol Khan, a high-ranking official under the Nawab of Jhajjar. One evening, while riding her horse through the forest, Bua was attacked by a tiger. She screamed for help, and Hasan, who was cutting wood nearby, came rushing to her rescue. With great courage, he killed the tiger using his chopper and saved her life.

Hasan later took the injured Bua to her palace where the indebted family offered him to stay for a night. In return of the gratitude, Bua’s parents offered him gifts, but he refused and instead expressed his wish to marry her.

Though hesitant, her parents agreed. Over time, Bua and Hasan began meeting often near a peaceful pond in the forest, the same place where their story had started but their happiness was short-lived.

It is believed that Bua’s father believed Hasan was not the right match due to his poor background. He sent Hasan to war as a soldier under a conspiracy, where he died in 1635. Heartbroken, Bua buried him near the pond, built a small tomb for him and later had the pond properly constructed in his memory.

Unable to bear the loss, Bua too passed away within two years. She was buried beside Hasan. Since then, the pond has been called ‘Bua ka Talab’, in memory of their love.

‘Bua ka Talab’ is now part of Shaheedi Park. In earlier times, the pond used to fill naturally with rainwater. However, over the years, the natural drainage channels have become blocked, so it is now refilled with rainwater.

“At present, rainwater is the primary source for filling Bua ka Talab. Although its water level drops significantly by the time the next monsoon arrives, it never completely dries up. I have observed this pattern for nearly five decades,” said Zile Singh Saini, Chairman of the Jhajjar Municipal Council.

A few years ago, the ‘Bua ka Talab’ was also chosen as a unique venue for staging a special episode of Ramleela, the scene where Lord Rama crosses the sea in a boat.

“We had been performing Ramleela for many years, but that year we wanted to do something different hence we decided to stage this particular episode at the pond to give it a more realistic touch and make it more entertaining for the audience,” said Ankush Duhan, president of Shri Prachin Ramleela Committee, Jhajjar.

He said, “Proper lighting arrangements were made for this episode, and a large number of people came to watch. However, we could not continue the practice in the following years, as it required a lot of preparation. Also, one of the pond’s boundary walls has collapsed, and the water is no longer clean.”

Jag Bhan Lamba, a retired Army officer and a regular visitor to Shaheedi Park, expressed concern over the lack of awareness about the pond’s history.

“This pond holds great historical significance, but unfortunately, there is no board or signage explaining the story behind it. Visitors, especially the younger generation and those coming from outside, have no way of knowing its background,” he said.

Lamba believes that with proper attention from the authorities, the pond could be developed into a local attraction. “Jhajjar is known for its historical milieu. If promoted and beautified, this site can become a tourist spot,” he added.

Hansraj, a retired Subedar and a resident of Dev Nagar locality, highlighted another unique aspect of the pond. “As per local belief, the water of this pond was effective in curing skin allergies. Even today, people from nearby areas and sometimes even from Delhi come here, especially on Saturdays and Sundays, to bathe in it as a medical treatment. Before that, they also worship this pond,” he shared.