<P> The earliest Punjabi literature is found in the fragments of writings of the 11th Nath yogis Gorakshanath and Charpatnah which is primarily spiritual and mystical in tone . Notwithstanding this early yogic literature, the Punjabi literary tradition is popularly seen to commence with Fariduddin Ganjshakar (1173--1266). whose Sufi poetry was compiled after his death in the Adi Granth . </P> <P> The Janamsakhis, stories on the life and legend of Guru Nanak (1469--1539), are early examples of Punjabi prose literature . Nanak himself composed Punjabi verse incorporating vocabulary from Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian, and other South Asian languages as characteristic of the Gurbani tradition . Punjabi Sufi poetry developed under Shah Hussain (1538--1599), Sultan Bahu (1628--1691), Shah Sharaf (1640--1724), Ali Haider (1690--1785), Saleh Muhammad Safoori and Bulleh Shah (1680--1757). In contrast to Persian poets, who had preferred the ghazal for poetic expression, Punjabi Sufi poets tended to compose in the Kafi . </P> <P> Punjabi Sufi poetry also influenced other Punjabi literary traditions particularly the Punjabi Qissa, a genre of romantic tragedy which also derived inspiration from Indic, Persian and Quranic sources . The Qissa of Heer Ranjha by Waris Shah (1706--1798) is among the most popular of Punjabi qisse . Other popular stories include Sohni Mahiwal by Fazal Shah, Mirza Sahiba by Hafiz Barkhudar (1658--1707), Sassi Punnun by Hashim Shah (1735?--1843?), and Qissa Puran Bhagat by Qadaryar (1802--1892). </P> <P> Heroic ballads known as Vaar enjoy a rich oral tradition in Punjabi . Prominent examples of heroic or epic poetry include Guru Gobind Singh's in Chandi di Var (1666--1708). The semi-historical Nadir Shah Di Vaar by Najabat describes the invasion of India by Nadir Shah in 1739 . The Jangnama, or' War Chronicle,' was introduced into Punjabi literature during the Mughal period; the Punjabi Jangnama of Shah Mohammad (1780--1862) recounts the First Anglo - Sikh War of 1845--46 . </P>

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