"Ho Jamalo, Wah Wah Jamalo!" These words are more than just a catchy phrase or a line from an old folk song. For many of us, they carry memories of celebrations, dances, and shared moments. But for me, they’ve taken on a new meaning. For years, I knew the song but not its story, never guessing how it connects us not only to our roots but also to the challenges of today.
My journey into Jamalo’s story began at a recent conference at IBA Sukkur. A colleague from LUMS insisted that I attend the event’s gala night—a night that would feature Ho Jamalo performed live. “You can’t miss it,” he said. And he was right. The song and the story behind it gave me a window into a rich history and a unique moment of courage and resilience in Sindh’s past.--- Dr. Arif Rana
The Hero Behind the Song: Jamalo Khoso Baloch
Ho Jamalo is more than a tune; it’s the story of a man named Jamalo Khoso Baloch, also known as Jamalo Sheedi, who lived in Sukkur under British colonial rule. His tale could have ended quietly if not for an extraordinary act of bravery that changed his fate—and inspired his people. Sentenced to death by a British officer, Jamalo was given a single way out: to test-drive a train across the newly constructed Sukkur Bridge over the Indus River.
The bridge was untested, and many believed it would collapse under the weight of a train. Yet Jamalo agreed to the challenge with one condition: he wanted freedom if he survived. As he drove the train to the midpoint of the bridge, the structure sagged, lowering by about 4.5 inches—a tense moment that must have made everyone hold their breath. But the bridge held, and Jamalo crossed it safely. His wife, overcome with relief, composed the song Ho Jamalo to celebrate his bravery and survival. From that moment, Jamalo became more than a man; he became a symbol of Sindhi courage, a reminder that the human spirit can rise even under the harshest of circumstances.
The Sukkur Bridge: A Colonial Legacy and a Local Symbol
Jamalo’s story is deeply tied to the Sukkur Bridge—also known as the Lansdowne Bridge—a landmark with its own complex legacy. Completed in 1889, this bridge was a marvel, spanning the Indus at a crucial point. For the British, it was a means to move goods efficiently from Punjab to Europe through Karachi, making it a vital colonial link.
For the people of Sindh, however, it represented something different. The bridge, with its towering steel and cantilevers, was both a marvel and a reminder of the immense power the British held over their land. Its construction cost six lives and 2.7 million rupees, built without modern machinery, entirely through human labor. For local Sindhis, it was a symbol of both opportunity and exploitation. Jamalo’s journey across that bridge was a story of individual defiance, but it was also part of a larger narrative of Sindh’s resistance and resilience.
Echoes of CPEC: A Modern Reflection
As I learned about the history of the Lansdowne Bridge, I couldn’t help but think of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Today, CPEC is designed to connect China with the world, much as the British sought to connect their empire. In a way, it feels like history is repeating itself: a great power builds an infrastructure across Sindh, hoping to secure a path to prosperity.
But who truly benefits? Just as the British built the Sukkur Bridge primarily to serve their interests, CPEC’s gains are largely expected to flow back to China. It’s a reminder that “development” can sometimes come with strings attached. And, just as the British involved few locals in their bridge-building project, CPEC might risk missing out on the wisdom and needs of the people who live along its path.
The Legacy of Ho Jamalo: A Living Celebration
Today, Ho Jamalo continues to echo at weddings, festivals, and gatherings across Sindh. It has become more than just a song; it’s a celebration of resilience. It represents the strength that the people of Sindh carry within them, a spirit that can’t be shaken even by the toughest of trials.
Ho Jamalo reminds us that bridges are more than just physical structures; they’re symbols of connection, unity, and strength. The Lansdowne Bridge is a testament to both the hardships and the incredible willpower of those who built it, just as Jamalo Khoso’s story is a reminder that resilience can be found in the most unlikely of places.
In Ho Jamalo, Sindh celebrates not only a brave individual but also the enduring spirit of its people—a spirit that finds a way to thrive, to resist, and to carry forward a legacy of strength. The bridge between history and modernity, past and present, is still being crossed. And as long as Ho Jamalo rings out across Sindh, that bridge will remain unbroken.
