Hussaini Maharaja Mewa Ram

Badshah Naseer Uddin Haider who sent Maharaja to Karbala

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Maharaja Mewaram is yet another great but forgotten azadar. He used to spend two to three lakhs every year on azadari during the reign of King Naseer Uddin Haider who ruled Awadh from 1827 to 1837.Maharaja was a non- Muslim but he surpassed even Imamis in his fervor for azadari. He also built an Imambara where celebrated poets like Mir Zameer and Mirza Dabeer recited marsiyas. Mewa Ram was Dewan of Nasser Uddin Haider with titles such as Iftikhar-Ud-Daulah, Afzal Mulk, Maharaja and Salabat Jung. His titles indicate that the King held Maharaja in very high esteem. Naseer Uddin had appointed Mewa Ram as his Dewan to fill the position that had become vacant following the demise of his father.

Mewa Ram was indeed a worthy son of a worthy father. He served the King with loyalty and dedication. His fervor for azadari was also an outcome of his company with the King. Naseer Uddin Haider is described as an impulsive person but his love for Imams and azadari has never been in doubt. It was he who extended the period of Muharram mourning from Ashura to Chehlum. The tragic story of the martyrs of Karbala also stirred the emotions of his Dewan and turned him a great devotee of Imam. He not only started performing azadari with grandeur but also erected a majestic Imambara. It is ironical that the Imambara figures only in historical accounts and its exact location is not known to anyone in Lucknow. The King had so much faith on his Dewan that he had authorized him to ensure smooth conduct of azadari during Muharram in his kingdom. It was the directive of Naseer Uddin Haider to Maharaja that at least 100 chaprasees should be deployed for Muharram ceremonies and Syeds and destitute should be treated generously during Marasim-E-Azadari.

While information about the Imambara is scarce but there is enough material to suggest that his fervor for azadari earned him an exalted status that even no King of Awadh could get for himself. Maharaja as a reward for his azadari found his last resting place near the shrine of Hazrat Imam Hussain. An article by Akbar Haideri published in 1993 in a popular Urdu magazine published by Information department of Uttar Pradesh Government reveals that Maharaja died in Karbala in July 1867.

Munshi Ram Sahai Tamanna in his work “ Ahsan- Ut -Tawareekh” has blamed one Subhan Khan for his visit to Karbala. According to him, Khan wanted to occupy the position of Maharaja Mewa Ram. He on his own told the King that Maharaja wanted to visit Karbala for the ziarat of Imam Hussain’s shrine. The king being aware of his love for Imams immediately granted him permission. Maharaja then proceeded to Karbala and breathed his last there. Tamanna has hinted in his story as if Maharaja left unwillingly for Karbala whereas if his devotion to Imams is any indication it becomes obvious that he would have left for Karbala gladly. Everyone knows that one who loves Imams never bothers about worldly positions and material. (Reference available on request)