Waris Shah (Punjabi: وارث شاہ) was a Punjabi Muslim poet, born in what is now Pakistani Punjab, living from 1722 – 1798. He is best-known for his seminal work Heer Ranjha, based on the traditional folk tale of Heer and her lover Ranjha. Heer is considered one of the quintessential works of classical Punjabi literature. The story of Heer was also put to paper by several other writers, including Damodar Das, Mukbal, and Ahmed Gujjar, but Waris Shah's version is by far the most popular today. Shah who was born in Jandiala Sher Khan is popular in India and Pakistan, especially in the Punjab region. Waris Shah was born into a reputed Syed family,...