وارث شاہ کے قصے ہیر رانجھا میں عورت کی مزاحمت اور نسائی شعور کا تجزیاتی مطالعہ

An Analytical Study of Female Resistance and Feminist Consciousness in Waris Shah’s Heer Ranjha

Abstract

This paper presents an analytical study of female resistance and feminist consciousness in Waris Shah’s Heer Ranjha within the cultural, historical, and literary context of Punjabi classical poetry. The character of Heer emerges not only as a lover but as a powerful symbol of defiance against patriarchal, tribal, and socio-religious oppression. Through her choices, voice, emotional strength, and moral autonomy, Heer challenges the structures that seek to control a woman's body, desire, and freedom. Waris Shah’s poetic narrative, rich in symbolism and cultural commentary, amplifies Heer’s agency and positions her as an early representation of indigenous feminist thought in South Asian literature. This study argues that Heer Ranjha is not merely a tragic romance but a profound socio-political text where a woman uses love, courage, and selfhood as tools of resistance. The analysis highlights how Heer’s struggle continues to shape modern feminist discourse and remains relevant to contemporary discussions on gender, identity, and freedom.