Muharram at Maler Kotla-A Miracle of Masoomeen

'Miraculous' Muharram of Maler Kotla in Indian Punjab

 Imambara Ahsaniya in Malerkotla, Punjab

  By Dr. Mazhar Naqvi

The observance of Muharram ceremonies in the only Muslim dominated pocket of Indian Punjab Malerkotla is as miraculous as the roots of communal harmony in the town itself. Despite a very less population of Imamis, the town surpasses even some of the better known centers of azadari in terms of grandeur, devotion and participation of people from all walks of life. Devotees of Imam Husain converge at Malerkotla from other cities during Muharram in large number, for it is perhaps the only city in Punjab with a fully functional Imambara and two very active Anjumans( Societies formed to preserve and observe Muharram rituals).

During ‘Ashra-E-Muharram’ (Ten day Mourning), a number of processions are taken out in Malerkotla and the observance attain its climax on ‘Yaum-E-Ashura’ when a grand procession in memory of martyrs of Karbala slowly march through the streets from one end of town to the other amidst the chanting of dirges and self-flagellation as a sing of mourning. Although only Imamis primarily perform Matam and are the largest constituent of the procession, non- Muslims also participate in large number. Hindus especially regard tazias and alams possessing divine powers to fulfill vows. They encourage their children to pass under tazias and kiss alams for their protection from all sorts of troubles. Sikhs and Sunnis also did not lag behind in participation and they along with Hindus also make provisions for providing beverages and food for the precisionists despite knowing very well that Imamis don’t eat on Ashura. It is an evidence of the arrival of people from outside during Muharram in vast numbers and the tendency of the locals to play host to them.             

Malerkotla, a Muslim majority state was established in 1454 A.D. by Sheikh Sadruuddin-I-Jahan from Afghanistan and its last ruler Nawab Iftikhar Ali Khan merged it with Indian union in 1947. Surprisingly, the town city had remained an oasis of peace during the worst ever riots and bloodshed witnessed as an aftermath of partition. When whole of Punjab went up in flames, and hundreds of thousands perished at the hands of their own neighbors, not a single life was lost in Malerkotla. The town also exhibited sheer tolerance during post-Babri Mosque demolition riots and outbreak of communal violence in Gujarat after Godhra incident.   

The reason for peaceful co-existence of people of all faiths and  communal harmony dates back to 1705, when Mughal Governor of Sirhind Vazir Khan directed Nawab of Malerkotla Sher Mohammad Khan to brick alive the sons of Guru Gobind Singh namely, Sahibzada Fateh Singh and Sahibzada Zorawar Singh of  9 and 7 years of age respectively but instead of complying with the instruction Nawab  vehemently protested the execution of the children. He described their killing against the glorious tenets of Quran.  Wazir Khan nevertheless tortured and killed Guru’s both sons and Nawab walked out of the court in protest. Upon coming to know about the incident thanked Sher khan and gifted him with his Hukamnama and Kirpan. The Sikhs always remembered the humanitarian approach of Nawab Sher and refrained from any kind of bloodshed during the partition riots. As a sequel to their gesture, Muslims of Malerkotla did not migrate to Pakistan while other pockets of Indian Punjab witnessed large scale killings and mass departure of Muslims.

 There are five Imambaras in Malerkotla. Of these, two were erected by Sunni Nawabs. The most elegant Imambara is known as Sarkari or Riyasati Imambara. Mother of Nawab Sikandar Ali Khan, who died in 1881, had built this Imambara after she was blessed with a son following fulfillment of her vow to Imam Husain. The building contains a photo of Nawab Ahmad Ali Khan and Ayatollah Khomeini and enjoyed royal patronage till the merger of Malerkotla with Indian Union.

Another significant and well-maintained Imambara is Ahsaniya. it was  commissioned by  a close relative of Nawab Ahsan Ali Khan who is also credit with introducing ‘Duldul’(Horse of Imam Husain at Karbala) procession as a part of muharram ceremonies. . This is located opposite Deewankhana ( place for public audience of rulers).In late 19^th century, Khojgan Biradari, who represent Sheikhs of town, built its own Imambara followed by construction of an Imambara by Anjuman-e-Husaini  recently across from Imambara Khojgan.

In Nawabi era, two influential members of the royal household Daler Khan and his son Ghulam Husain Khan gave much patronage to Muharram ceremonies. The efforts of Daler Khan to enhance Muharram processions by including Duldul and other relics were vehemently opposed by anti-Ahle-Bait forces and commissioner of Ambala had to intervene to resolve the issue. His son Ghulam Muhammad Khan went one step further and did not pay heed to anyone in adding grandeur to azadari rites. He had no reservation about the reaction of anti- Ahle-Bait activists of Malerkotla. Nawab Sikandar Ali Khan avoided any disturbance due to over zealousness of Ghulam Muhammad by determining the route, relics and order of various Muharram processions. Since then, Muharram has been a peaceful affair and it is observed with solemnity by all sections of the society. The caretakers of Imambaras proudly reveal that Begum Mujawwar Nisa, wife of last Nawab Iftikhar Khan, always participated in the Majlises organized at Riyasati imambara and she used to listen Marsiyas and Nauhas with rapt attention. Her husband also patronized Imambara by providing financial assistance for observance of rituals and distribution of Tabarruk. They attribute exciting participation of Hindus to their firm belief in the effectiveness and generosity of Imam Husain in granting children to supplicants. One can easily find Hindu women placing Kheer on the land of Malerkotla Karbala on Ashura as a mark of fulfillment of their vows by the king of martyrs.   

With Nawabs gone and their palatial palaces reducing to ruins gradually, it is the twin Anjumans Haideri and Hussainia that are carrying the legacy with full devotion .they have also undertaken renovations of Imambaras and remain active throughout Muharram to ensure its observance with traditional Harmony. They are able to garner support from everyone because of their sincere efforts and Malerkotla continues to be a great place for azadari with handful of followers of Ahle-Bait.( Reference available on request)