What can I do for you? A stern voice from a Buddhist Monk has shaken Lawik. The legendary Hindu warrior in the era around 920 AD in Hindu Shahi Dynasty of Afghanistan.

Lawik was standing barefooted, motionless in remorse, while narrating the news of destruction of Moastaries of Balkh by Saffarid Muslim. Zublistan the paradise on earth and the Sheet of Learning has been destroyed. ” I am So sorry”. The Hindu Shahi commander led a vicious battle but was outnumbered by the deceitful and treacherous enemy.

In deep anguish and pain, the Monk could murmur recalling the great King Kallar (843 AD – 850 AD), Vakkadeva (850 AD – 895 AD) and Kamalavarman (895 AD – 921 AD), whose martial grandiose took Buddhist and Vedic tradition up to Bukhara at the bank of Caspian Sea. Yes We enlighten the masses up to Bukhara.

Lawik, Generation to come will not forgive if the Soldier fails to protect Civilization. Your sense of defeat has finished my all attachment for any worldly life. Promise me my mortal remains will be respected and submerged to nature earth. Motionless Lawik could not understand the Monk word, until he saw Monk swallowing a poison pill and lurching to the far corner.

A shaken Lawik was flabbergasted in disbelief. A soldier is a soldier. Lion heart yet it melts for a while. Lawik was a warrior, a soldier, a man of giant height and muscular Bull built. He returned to the palace before the Hindu Shahi King Bhimdev (921 AD -964 AD) urging for revenge.

Story of an able king who was called as Fearless Bhim by Albaruni and his Chief army commander Lawik has been widely recorded by travelers like Masudi and albaruni and in Persian literature.

Lawik, a fearsome commander, whose vicious military campaign is still being sung in the Valley of Zublistan. He made a successful foray into Jublistan, defeating Saffarid. The battle was heroic. Saffarid were either killed or ran away for safety. The destroyed city of Zublistan was brought under Hindu Shahi rule. The local Muslims were reconverted, temples and Matt were restored and Monasteries were restarted.

The memory of Monk and his resounding words had incited fire in him. He was restless when awake and could rarely get relief from sleep.

The indomitable Commander of King Bhimdeva, The legendary Lowik spirinted and galloped to the surrounding of valley. The pride of Ghazni, Bamiyan were restored. The famous caves and spiritual monasteries in Bamiyan were restored and handed over to the Scholars.

It is said Lawik never slept in his garrison, rather waited outside the gate of monasteries in the hope to see his Monk returning once to forgive and embrace him.

Some of the Persian references do mention he was anointed as the Hindu Afghan King, but local folklore recounted Lawik as faithful commander of King Bhimdeva. Lawik was now a stoic living in his solitary world only in pursuit of his Monk. The work of Monk has not yet been erased from his memory-“Grandiose of Buddish and vedic tradition from Jublistan to Bukhara ”. And he decided to proceed to Bukhara. 

A Turkish Slave Alaptagin and his Son Abu Ishaq were ruling Bukhara. Upon learning that Lawik had started with his mighty military, Alptain approached his Turkish master for assistance. It is said Lawik reached Bukhara before any imagination. And in the ensuing battle, half of the city was destroyed. Countless death. It is said that the battle of Bukhara was among the bloodiest battles fought along the Capsian Sea in Uzbekistan. Though Afgani reference does not survive but Persian reference about this war and Lawik still survives. Lawik the name itself was frightening for the Enemy.  His martial ability became the pride word for the mother in folklore while raising their children. The Hindu Shahi army went on to subjugate Bukhara. Lawik as a faithful commander ionizes King Bhimdeva as the Hindu Shahi king of Bukhara (Uzbekistan).

Lawik was wandering in the mountain ridge and caves in pursuit of Monk. He had no interest in waging any more battles or ruling as Vassal. He had surrendered his all plutonic pleasure and was just hoping to meet his Monk.

No one knows where Lawik went. It is said Lawik never returned to Jublistan. Historical records of Persian literature and traveler’s narrative of the contemporary era are silent about the Lawik end. Folklore says, Lawik is alive and wandering in search of his Monk. Remembered in local tradition, his bravery, his sacrifice and his devotion finds no alternative.

The Lawik story has so many historical references and archeological truth.  But his pursuit of Masterly Monk is anecdotal and is surviving in folklore. Ghazni is still alive, surviving and thriving in the memory lane of those storytellers.

Lawik will come back one day to secure the peace and prosperity of Ghazni.

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