Bogi number 12 / بوگی نمبر بارہ

by Mehrulnisa Shahmeer

Genres: Fiction

228 pages, ebook

Reviews

[Minalreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

So you're saying there are people out there who don't know about this book. I don't think you can call yourself an avid reader if you haven't read this masterpiece. Because this right here is perfection. It's a work of art. And it's the best novella out there up-to-date. I'll keep coming back to this book from time and time and if it's not clear enough. GO READ THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW BECAUSE YOU'RE MISSING OUT ON SO MUCH.
Recommend always. Recommend infinity times.

[A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved it.
Totally recommended!

اداس کردینے والی کہانی ہے

[Palwasha Here · Rating 4 out of 5]

آپ کی کہی بات پہ، آپ کی بتائی جگہ پہ رک جاؤں تو پھر گل رعنا کیسے کہلاؤں

[Ain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be a MUST-READ in all academic curriculums across Pakistan!

Hum bhool Gaye hen wo qurbaniyan. Hum bhool Gaye hen apna maqsad. Azaad sirf wolog hue the Jo shaheed ho ga. Hum Jo peechey reh Gaye, or Jo baad me aaye, hum aaj Bhi ghulaam hen. Zehni ghulaam.

[Aisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished it month ago ab kya hi review likhon agar finish kar ke foran review likhti tb details mai hi likhti
but it was okayish like achi thi lekin iska writing style mazeed historical fiction wali books wala hota to zayada maza ata

[kanwal Fatima · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good to read this topic and remembering those strong souls and selected martyrs for jannah, really this book touched that spot that is solely for the PAKISTAN ❤️. Its really a short novel and its a must for everybody I believe(Muslims,Pakistan).

I have read all those things that mentioned in this book in pak studies books till matric and reading this book really was a good fortune to revise all those things.

[Roha Mumtaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without a second thought, this is a 5-star read for me! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I completely fell in love with it. Bogi No. 12 is a perfect short story that beautifully captures love, regret, tears, and sacrifice.

Hats off to the writer! 👏

It took me an hour to read, but it will stay with me for much longer...

[Kainat Ish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly cannot describe the way this book has affected my brain chemistry. The passion with which it's is written is clearly reflected in the story .
Mujhey NAHI lagta ke Maine kabhi umeed li hogi ke itne mukhtasir se novel main itna dam Hoga!
They way the pain is described in this I was bawling my eyes out.
Honestly every character was written with so much dephth.
14 اگست 1940 یہ ریڈیو پاکستان لاہور ہے۔ اپ کو پاکستان مبارک ہو۔۔۔۔۔
Sirf yeh BAAT sune ke Liye na janain Kitne logon ne Apne jaan ,maal aur aulad ki qurbaaniyan di Hain .
As for kamil I don't even feel bad for him , I feel bad for gul. She deserved the world. So strong , so determined.
Mujhey yeh characters hamesha haunt karain gay aur kamil aur Gul ki adhuri daastan hamesha Mera peecha karegi .

[Nabtahil Laraib · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ive read a book bout the independence movement after a long time, and it really got to me. I found myself tearing up and couldn't stop thinking about all the lives and loved ones sacrificed for our country.

[Ayesha Ayaz · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only thing I liked about this book was the writing style. The way the author has used the words was beautiful but this book lacks proper research, it is based purely on emotional appeal and biased opinions and shallow characters with no proper development. The ending didn't make me feel anything. It was like out of nowhere I was rewatching Om Shanti Om where the character thinks his deceased lover is back or their soul is here but in reality that's just a doppelganger. It could've had a much better ending, it deserved a well written ending but this was just not it.
The characters were not speaking according to their backgrounds, only small scenes had such dialogues but usually they were talking like modern day Pakistanis.
The narrative that because living in a Brahmin neighborhood Kamil was more familiar with that religion than his own was stupid, so stupid and shallow. When you coexist with ither religions you do exchange minor traditions but if your house is strict about your upbringing this doesn't happen then. Especially the kind of household he was from, it was unrealistic until and unless parents used to kick him out of the house and he'd spent his time with those people learning their religion.
The book showed the Muslims who decided to stay back because they didn't want the bloodshed at the hands of the people they had been living with for centuries, because they cared for their sons' lives and their daughters' dignity, as villains!
That was a very wrong narrative.
I understand that revolution and freedom requires sacrifices and those who sacrifice are indeed heroes but those who didn't want that and had a different idea of peace were not villains.
Fareeda Hassham had a balance perspective but her views were overshadowed by her character. Every character that had that perspective was then turned into a villain kind of person in other way.
There are other problematic and incorrect narratives in this book and the rating I have given it solely because of the writing style and the dialogues from it. They were good enough to convince me that I should try reading other books by this author.
The main character Gul e Rana's death wasn't impactful. Her character needed alot of work. she was meant to be strong but strong female characters are not those who are self absorbed and think only they are right and only they can express themselves, Gul e Rana was judgemental yet she didn't want to be judged, her idea of ‘right deeds’ was that as long as you are open about it, it is not wrong. She was also unaware of what it means to sacrifice yourself for freedom and deemed anyone against these sacrifices as weak or wrong until she experienced that herself and realised how hard it is to loose your loved ones infront of your own eyes!
The politics was main part of Kamil's character but not an ounce of it was shown and then it ended by a lecture on politics??? It wasn't clear if the romance was supposed to be the primary or the subplot either.
The romantic feelings between characters were developed too quickly to be that strong as well.
The author also states in the beginning that she finds it hard to write short stories and maybe that's why the plot and characters here were weak, maybe her long novels will be different and that's why I will try them because I see potential in her writing!
If there is any chance of me rereading this book, it will be only because of some dialogues and lines!

[Hadiqa Imran · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Tareekh dan likhty hain 1947 me fisadat huy thy...jhoot likhte hain...1947 me tareekh Ki badtareen nasalkashi hui thi..1947 me genocide hua Tha"....Khwab khatam nahi hoty, ankhain tabdeel hojati hain ❤️‍🩹...highly recommended

[Izzfa · Rating 2 out of 5]

تاریخ پر مبنی کتاب میں تاریخ غائب ۔
کتاب کی محض چند سطروں کی بنا پر کتاب کو اچھا نہیں کہا جاسکتا۔اور میں اِس کتاب کو ہرگز اچھا نہیں کہہ سکتی۔ کہانی کرداروں پر مبنی ہوتی ہے ۔آپ اسباق کرداروں کے ذریعے دیتے ہیں۔اور صرف آزادی آزادی کا نعرہ لگانے سے کچھ حاصل نہیں ہوتا ۔آپ کے اعمال اور الفاظ میں تضاد ہو تو کہانی اپنا منفرد پن کھو دیتی ہے۔ چند اموات دکھا دینے سے آپ دکھ کو حقائق پر برتری نہیں دے سکتے۔

کرداروں کی بات کہ جائے تو مجھے دونوں مرکزی کرداروں سے مسائل ہیں۔
"گلِ رعنا" جو آزادی کے لیے لمبے لمبے خطبے دے سکتی ہے۔ہر کسی سے آزادی کے متعلق لڑ سکتی ہے چونکہ وہ آزاد ہے۔

کبھی کسی بڑے نے مجھ سے کہاتھا کہ "علم اور دولت دو ایسی چیزیں ہیں جن کو دکھانے یا بتانے کی ضرورت نہیں پڑتی ۔یہ دونوں چیزیں لوگوں کو خود نظر آ جاتی ہیں۔"

مگر رعنا چونکہ اپنا اخلاقی فرض سمجھتی تھی کہ سب کے سامنے بولے جو کہ بدتمیزی ہی معلوم ہوتی تھی اُس کو اُس کا حوصلہ اور ہمت دکھا دیا گیا۔

"کامل ہشام" اِس کردار کے ساتھ بالکل انصاف نہیں کیا گیا۔ نہ اُس کا ماضی واضح ہوا نہ اُس کے مقاصد واضح ہوئے ۔بس اُس کے دل نے رعنا کے حق میں دلائل ہی دیے۔باقی اُس کا دل نہ دین کی محبت کے لیے جاگا اور نہ ملک کی۔

باقی کرداروں کا اختتام واضح ہی نہیں کیا گیا۔"فریدہ حشام" کا کیا ہوا؟گل ِ رعنا کے والد کہاں گئے؟ نورالعین کیسے بچ گئی؟ وہ وہاں تک کیسے پہنچ گئی؟ مجھ اِن چیزوں سے ہرگز اعتراض نہ ہوتا کیونکہ یہ ایک مختصر تحریر تھی مگر محبت کے متعلق بتادینے کے بعد اِن اہم نقاط کو نظر انداز کردینا مجھے عجیب لگا۔

تاریخ ایک پیچیدہ چیز ہے۔اِس کو اِس طرح سے صرف ایک طرف کی کہانی سنانے کے لیے استعمال نہیں کیا جانا چاہیے۔

[Yusra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tale set during the Pakistan–India Partition, a time marked by immense tragedy and even greater sacrifice. The story begins in pre-partition Lahore with a strong-minded, principled, and resolute protagonist: the 18-year-old Gul e Rana. She possesses a clear worldview and firmly stands by the values she considers important, often finding herself in heated debates with people of all ages, particularly those who deny the Two Nation Theory, a trait far from appreciated in the social context of the 1947 subcontinent.
She travels to Amritsar to attend a family wedding, where she meets the 32-year-old Kamil Hasham, an active member of the All India Muslim League and the son of her maternal uncle. Kamil Hasham’s mother rejects the Two Nation Theory, believing the creation of Pakistan to be unnecessary and a catalyst for widespread bloodshed. The ideological contrast between her and Gul e Rana becomes a recurring source of altercations. Despite being a flag bearer of the All India Muslim League and a strong proponent of the need for a separate state, Kamil Hasham fails to convince his mother of the same.
Kamil takes an instant liking to Gul because of her zealous, self-assured attitude, while Gul is immediately infatuated upon learning of his involvement in the movement for the creation of Pakistan. They form a bond rooted in shared ideals, and feelings of love naturally follow.
However, as circumstances change, ideological differences surface more starkly. What was once a loving bond turns bitter as they fail to see eye to eye, leading to a tragic tale of separation and heartbreak.
This was the first work of Mehrulnisa Shahmeer that I read, and I was immediately drawn in by her writing style. The characters are superbly crafted, and she does complete justice to the plot, offering a glimpse into one of the bloodiest chapters of our history. Stories of Partition are bound to move readers to tears, and that is precisely why I believe they should be read more often. It is easy to absolve ourselves of responsibility and place the blame solely on ruling elites for the dire state of our country. While they do play a major role, the persistence and worsening of these conditions are also the result of a stagnant society that has accepted them and refuses to question or strive for improvement. Lastly, I don’t think the character of Gul e Rana is going to leave me anytime soon.

[Izhar Hussain · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Bogi Number 12" is an emotional masterpiece set against the backdrop of the 1947 partition of Pakistan and India. This short novel, spanning just about 95 pages, manages to encapsulate a heart-wrenching tale of love, sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of freedom.

The narrative plunges readers into the turbulent times of partition, showcasing the tensions between Hindus and Muslims and the generational divide within a Muslim family. The elders’ skepticism about a separate nation contrasts starkly with the younger generation's fervent desire for freedom. This nuanced portrayal makes the story not just a recount of historical events but a profound exploration of human emotions, ideologies, and the cost of independence.

The female protagonist is a particular highlight—her stolen glances and shared smiles brought a delicate sweetness to the story. Despite the heavy themes, her moments of love and tenderness added a beautiful, desi vibe to the narrative. Her character stays with you, making the devastating ending all the more impactful.

The writing is evocative, drawing vivid images of the era. It’s a testament to the author’s skill that readers are transported to a time they’ve never lived, feeling the pain, struggles, and hopes of the people. The emotions are raw and genuine; there were moments I had to bite my lips and close my eyes to stop myself from crying.

However, the book does lean toward a one-sided narrative, primarily showcasing the suffering of Muslims migrating to Pakistan. While this portrayal is deeply moving and authentic, it misses an opportunity to equally highlight the pain endured by Hindus and Sikhs during their migration to India. A balanced perspective could have elevated the story further, making it a more holistic account of partition.

Despite this, "Bogi Number 12" is an exceptional work that deserves greater recognition. It’s a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made for independence and a somber reflection on the stark contrast between the aspirations of 1947 and the reality of today. A must-read for anyone seeking an emotional journey into history.

[Saba · Rating 3 out of 5]

بوگی نمبر بارہ مہرالنساء شاہ میر سے میرا پہلا تحریری تعارف تھی۔ یہ تحریر دو اہم انسانی اوصاف کو اجاگر کررہی ہے۔ جن میں سے ایک حق گوئی ہے۔ گل رعنا کا کردار حق بات کہنے سے پہلے سامنے والے کا منصب، رعب یا عمر کا لحاظ بالائے طاق رکھتا ہے۔ وہ تمام بندشوں کو اپنے پاؤں تلے روندتی چلی جاتی ہے جو اسے حق بیان کرنے سے منہ پھیرنے پر مجبور کریں۔ وہیں اس کے تضاد میں کامل ہشام کا کردار منافقت،دوغلے پن اور بزدلی کا مظاہرہ کرتا نظر آتا ہے۔ کہانی قارئین کو یہ بتلاتی ہے کہ یہ دونوں خصائص ہم میں موجود ہیں مگر ہمیں گل رعنا کو اپنے اندر چھپے کامل پر حاوی رکھنے کی تگ و دو کرنی ہے۔

تقسیم ہند کو آج تک سرحد کے دونوں جانب اکثریت غلط پیرائے میں لیتی ہے۔ یہ تقسیم صرف مذہبی آزادی یا اقوام کی اکثریت کو دو حصوں میں بانٹنے تک محدود نہیں تھی۔ نسل در نسل مسلمان ان تمام اقوام کے بیچ میں ہی بستے رہے تھے۔ وہ نمازیں، روزے، زکوۃ وغیرہ شاید ہم سے بھی بہتر طریقے سے انجام دیتے رہے تھے۔ لیکن ایک نسل ایسی آئی جو یہ سمجھ گئی کہ یوں ہی ہندوؤں اور سکھوں کے بیچ بسے رہنے سے ہند ایسے مسلمانوں کو جنم دینے لگے گا جو اسلام کو کفر سے الگ نہیں رکھ پائیں گے۔ جو نمازیں تو پڑھیں گے لیکن گوشت کی طرف بڑھتے ان کے ہاتھ ہچکچائیں گے۔ جو زکوۃ تو دیں گے لیکن سود لینے پر ان کا دل بھی مچلے گا۔ یہ وہ وجہیں تھی کہ برصغیر کے مسلمان اپنے خون کے ایک ایک قطرے کو بہاتے رہے اس آس میں کہ شاید پاکستان ان کی نسلوں میں بسے اسلام کو زندہ رکھ لے گا۔

اگر انسانوں کی درجہ بندی کی جاتی تو سب سے نچلے درجے کا تاج کامل ہشام کے سر پر سجتا۔ آج تک مجھے کسی کردار سے اتنی نفرت نہیں ہوئی۔زندگی میں کردار برے بھی ہوتے ہیں مگر گھٹیا کم کم ہی ملتے ہیں۔ اور وہ گھٹیاپن کیسا ہی ہوگا جو محبت تک کو نگل لے۔ لوگوں کی نظروں میں اپنی چمک برقرار رکھنے کا جنون انسان کو بہت خوار کرواتا ہے۔ یہی جنون کامل کو آخری سانسوں تک ذلالت میں ڈبو گیا۔ خدا کسی گل رعنا کے حصے میں کامل ہشام جیسے کی محبت نہ لکھے 💔

مہرالنساء شاہ میر کا قلم بہت رواں تھا لیکن جو چیز دل کو سب سے زیادہ بھائی وہ مکالموں کی مضبوطی تھی۔

[Benish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bogi Number 12 is a hauntingly beautiful novella set against the painful backdrop of the 1947 partition — a time when a single train journey could change destinies forever. Mehrulnisa Shahmeer captures the chaos, fear, and heartbreak of migration with such honesty that you feel every bruise the characters carry on their souls.

The story unfolds inside a crowded train bogi, yet it holds an entire world of human emotions: mothers clutching their children, young men tasting fear for the first time, strangers turning into family, and people carrying memories heavier than their luggage. Through simple but powerful writing, the author brings to life the terror and hope that travelled together during partition.

What makes the book unforgettable is its human touch. Shahmeer writes grief with tenderness and courage with dignity. The characters are ordinary people thrown into extraordinary circumstances — and their stories remind us that the price of freedom was paid with tears, blood, and unimaginable sacrifices.

Several lines from the book and readers stay with you long after you close it, like:
“خواب ختم نہیں ہوتے، آنکھیں بدل جاتی ہیں…”
Dreams never end — only the eyes that carry them change.

The novella also serves as a tribute to those who left everything behind — homes, land, friends, childhoods — just to step into a new country that only existed on paper. It is emotional, raw, and deeply rooted in historical reality.

If you love stories that make you feel the weight of history, that remind you of the human cost behind independence, Bogi Number 12 is a must-read. It’s not just a book — it’s a memory, a wound, and a prayer for all the lives lost in the journey of 1947.

[Javeria Matin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐
scenes like the killings and bloodshed of 1947, nor is it focused on presenting historical events or political leadership in detail. There is nothing like that in this novel.

It is the story of two ordinary households and how common people thought about the creation of Pakistan—how some people supported it deeply from their hearts, and how some lacked the courage to openly express their opinions in front of others.

The story revolves around Gul-e-Rana, who was not only intelligent and wise but also courageous. She wanted Pakistan to come into existence and wished to help the people of that era in every possible way.

On the other hand, there is Kamil Hasham, who was internally conflicted because he had lived among Hindu people. Still, he wanted Pakistan to be formed and wanted to play a role in it so that people would consider him respectable and honorable.

I did not find anything wrong in anything Kamil said. He simply wanted respect as a Muslim, and to me, there was nothing negative in that
....it is a very normal human desire.
the love between Gul-e-Rana and Kamil was left far behind.

The one thing I did not like, and because of which I am giving the novel 3.75 stars, is that in some dialogues there was a lack of clarity. I had to read certain lines again and again, and even after rereading some of them multiple times, I still could not fully understand them.

[Meen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Single PAKISTANI needs to read this book !!!!!!
and when I say Every, I mean EVERY SINGLE PAKISTANI-


after reading this book, I realized this one thing that: we lost all the true, real, actual LEADERS during the Pakistan's struggle for Independence and and the year following freedom
And from then till now we're just left with coward people like "Kamil Hasham"

and ohh GUL E RANA my brave strong girl . We Pakistanis have failed you & all those precious people , people who had such a strong faith and belief in Allah and themselves , who didn't think twice before sacrificing their lives for this country .

We have failed all those people bad , really bad 💔

[hibareads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is written in the setting of 1947. the clashes between races Hindu Muslim controversy telling in the story where Muslim family is shown with different perspectives.The elders and old generation of the family is not in favor of separate nation while the new generation is very determined to get freedom.The scenarios in this novel really taken me to that time even when I haven't existed.This story was so pure and enriched with truth of the nation people sacrificed to get in the past vs what it has become today.Short novel with enrichment of emotions words behaviors and feelings.

[Summayya Adnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5
A brilliant piece of writing. I loved reading it. Not going to lie, it greatly reminded me of the Pakistani television drama, Daastan but that's just a positive thing. The writing style of this book is by far the most organized and best written by Mehrulnisa. The main character is a beautiful representation of the women that laid out their lives for freedom. The plot and especially the ending is thought provoking. Perfect for people who love devouring history.
🎀 Forbidden romance
🎀 Moral dilemmas
🎀 Prison of ideas
🎀 Strong FMC
🎀 Heartbreaking story

[Mi Tu · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this was my third read by this author. Not a big fan of her writing style and the way she portrays her FLs.
But here I have to say the storyline was perfect, the FLs was not over annoying but a sensible girl with self-respect. The story reminds me of Daastan drama. And the last message the author gave, just played the role of the cherry on the top.

Everything was perfect, its short length must be a reason that it seemed to be bearable to me.
(Overall a good read).

[Deeme_614_Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is about partition of India and Pakistan. The character of Gul-e-Rana, Her courage and bravery is inspiring. On the other hand, you have Kamil Hisham, a Muslim League leader, he has served his people. Our main leads have good chemistry, however their ending lefts you with tears. The story is about sacrifices for your freedom, freedom of your people, freedom of your spirit and mind.

[Sana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is beyond exceptional! This book deserves much more recognition. It is an absolutely mind-blowing and heart-wrenching story of the partition of 1947 (Pakistan and India) and the sacrifices of the people. It’s heartbreaking that today’s Pakistan is not even near to the Pakistan for which those people sacrificed everything!

[Ayesha Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 starsssss.
This book was so good. It was so short, yet had a great message of the partition. I think every Pakistani should read this book once in their lifetime to actually see the sacrifices that the Muslims did in 1947.
This book was so emotional, yet it had parts where I was literally giggling.

[Saadi Shaykh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally Goosebumps. The author has beautifully explained each and everything that our ancestors went through at the time of separation. Our grandparents went through a lot for their survival.
At the same time, it is time to think about what we are doing for the country, for which our forefathers had to go through many things. What is our role?

[Eshal Rizwan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 or 4 ig.
I liked the book.
It was a good one.
Rana’s character was litrrr soo good.
But I wanted a happy ending. Kaamil and Raana should have had a happy ending.
They had an awesome chemistry.
I didn’t like how they ended and how everything happened in their love story towards the end.
Their scenes are my favv

I know in few cases Kamil was wrong but he wasn’t that bad of a person

[ೃ⁀➷ Mrs. Wali (سپیکنگ)⋆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sad.Totally recommend!!!!
But honestly, Kamal lost her. His regret now or later doesn’t matter
He was a coward while she was strong and always ready to sacrifice whether it was her heart or her life💔

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not ready at all.
اس کتاب نے میرے اندر گہرائی میں کچھ بدلہ۔ میں نہیں جانتی تھی کہ مجھے اس طرح جاگنے کی ضرورت ہے۔ گل رانا سے نور تک میں ہنسی، مسکرائی، چیزیں نوٹ کیں لیکن زیادہ تر روئی.
"خواب ختم نہیں ہوتے لیکن آنکھیں بدل جاتی ہیں۔"
Something along the line~~~~

[Imsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

😭😭😭💔💔💔🍒

[Nabila Junaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreakingly beautiful novelette