Hussaini Langar and Begum Hayat Bakshi

History of Hussaini Langar and Its Founder- Begum Hayat Bakhshi

 

 Tomb of Hayat Bakshi Begum in Hyderabad- India
 
By Dr. Mazhar Naqvi

Langar (Feeding devotees and destitute) in memory of martyrs of Karbala is a significant constituent of Muharram ceremonies .Historians have however never pondered over as to who and when the custom of Hussaini’ Langar’ was started. As a result its founder Begum Hayat Bakshi simply remains as one of the most influential lady of Golconda kingdom. She was the only child of Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah, the founder of Hyderabad. She looked after the palace administration early as daughter, then wife and ultimately as Queen Mother during the regime  of three Qutub Shahi kings.

Like her father, she had ardent love for Imam Husain in her heart. Being a true follower of Ahle-E-Bait she was compassionate, generous and considerate towards the needy.  Her subjects addressed her as ‘Ma Sahiba’ out of reverence. How she became founder of ‘Hussaini Langer’ is linked with the fulfillment of her’ Mannat’(wish) for the safety of her only son Abdulla?. He was impulsive and hot headed by nature.Opnce he wished to ride ‘Murat’ a favorite elephant of his emperor father Sultan Mohammad.

The tusker was in a foul mood that day. His attendants warned him not to ride Murat ,the animal being in a state of  ‘Masti’. Abdulla  did not pay any heed to his retinue and rode the elephant he commenced his ride from the royal stables located in Hussaini Alam area .Upon reaching the bank of river Musi ,Murat turned uncontrollable. The Mahout  tried his best to persuade Murat to cross the bridge.He miserably failed in his bid as the swollen river and the roar of flood water  startled Murat.The furious elephant knocked down the Mahaout , trampled few other persons and entered  the nearby  forest with Abdullah. Upon coming to know about the incident, Begum  rushed troops but no trace of Murat and its royal rider could be found for next three days. She even made provisions with the help of her subjects  by hanging bags containing  water and food with branches of trees so that Abdulla could grab one of them if Murat happened to pass close to any such tree. As hapless mother awaited her son, the Muharram moon was sighted.  The distraught mother  prayed to  Imam Husain and took pledge to  present her missing son bound in chains at the doorsteps of the Hussaini Alam Ashurkhana if he returned  safety.

Her vow evoked positive result as Abdulla miraculously arrived at the gate of fort much  to the delight of his  grieving mother. Begum  however  forbade his entry into the palace until the honoring of her pledge. She summoned all the goldsmiths of Golkonda and asked them to prepare a gold chain( Langar) of  40 ‘maund’ weight . Then, she took her son, bound in golden chains, barefoot on the red carpet, from  fort to the Ashur Khana.

After his appearance ( Haziri) at Ashur Khana  , the golden  chain was  broken into pieces and distributed among the poor along with food and sherbet. Begum continued the tradition in the following years during muharram. Thus a tradition of feeding the poor or ‘Zaireens’(Devotees) was born. From Hyderabad, the tradition spreads to other corners and cities and distribution of food and sherbet  is considered to be an essential part of muharram Ceremonies, especially on Yaum-E-Ashura across the globe.( References Available on request)