An Old Picture of Lucknow's Second Imambara -Agha Baqir
Dr.Mazhar Naqvi
Jaunpur, the former capital of Sharqi kingdom, surpasses Lucknow, a leading center of azadari, in observance of Chehlum. Though Jaunpur had emerged as a center of azadari after establishment of Sharqi kingdom in 15th century but it reduced to the status of an insignificant town after the devastation by Bahlol Lodi. The town boasts of several Imambaras and known for its azadari also but it is the observance of Chehlum that makes the city unique throughout the world.
Chehlum is commemorated in the memory of Imam Husain on the 40th day
of his martyrdom on the plains of Karbala in Iraq in 680 AD. In Arabic,
it is known as Arbaeen while in Persian the term for 40th day
is called Chehlum (20th Safar- The second Islamic month). In Indian
Sub-continent, preference is given to Chehlum over Arbaeen in the wake
of Persian influence on Muharram ceremonies and contribution of Awadh
Nawabs who also hailed from Neshapur town of Iran. How important is
Chehlum for the devotees to Imam Husain could be gauged from the fact
that about 15-20 million people from all over the world visit the shrine
of Imam Husain at Karbala every year. The congregation is believed to
be the largest all over the world and people simply watch the arrival of
devotees with a sense of amazement.
A
similar kind of sad atmosphere engulf Jaunpur during Chehlum as people
start reaching the city close on the pattern of Karbala from nearby and
far off places alike to offer tributes to Imam Husain. The population of
the city records a rise by almost 100 per cent as a sequel to the
arrival of devotees in large number to attend Chehlum ceremonies. While
in Lucknow and other places, Chehlum observance begins from the evening
of 19th Safar, In Jaunpur it lasts for three days due to a miracle witnessed in the 18th century
in connection with the main attraction of Chehlum processions known as
Islam Ka Tazia. It is named after a devotee of Ahle-Bait Sheikh Mohammad
Islam who was a well- known wrestler of his times. He won many a prizes
for his excellence in wrestling. He was a devout Muslim too and used to
address Majlises at the Imambara Chamman.
Once during ‘Ashra-E-Muharram’( First ten day phase of two month and eight days long muharram ceremonies ) , Sheikh Islam went
to address a majlis at Imambara Chamman after placing his tazia on the
Imam Chowk in front of his house on Shab-E-Ashur.. Then, he visited
Azakhana of Madad Ali and offered Nazr before the Tazia and Alams
(standards) kept there. While returning home, he was taken into custody
in Bazar Alif Khan on the orders of Qazi Jaunpur Mulla Khaliullah. He
was accused of inciting people to create disturbance during the
observance of Yaum –E-Ashura the next day. All the influential persons
tried for his release but he was not let off by the rigid Qazi.
The
disappointed wife of the wrestler tried to bury tazia of her Chowk On
Yaum-E-Ashur but sheikh did not allow her to do so. His tazia remained
at the Chowk unburied as his wife followed the instruction of her
husband. She started prayed for the release of her husband in front of
tazia and immersed herself in prayers. Sheikh Islam also himself
dedicated his days and nights to prayers and supplications for his
release on the false charge. He remained in the prison till 19th Safar.
In the evening, Sheikh Islam who had become very weak and exhausted due
to hardships of prison became semi unconscious while offering prayers.
He saw a dream and heard a loud voice, asking him to get up and go back
to his house as he was a free man. His wife too heard the same words and
she brought it to the notice of Sheikh’s brother. On regaining
consciousness, he found the chains tied to his feet broken and the door
of the prison open. While emerging out of prison, the soldiers on duty
stopped him and one of them narrated the incident to Qazi. Strangely
Qazi quietly lend ears to the narration and ordered the release of
Sheikh Islam.
After his
release, Sheikh Islam did not show any haste in reaching home. Rather,
he tried to inform the locals about the divine intervention behind his
release and asked them to attend a majlis which he wished to hold before
arranging the burial of tazia that was kept still unburied at his Chowk
since Shab-e-Ashur. Entire population of Jaunpur rushed to the Chowk to
take part in the burial of tazia upon coming to know about the miracle
happened with Sheikh Islam.
Traditionally
tazia used to originate from Islam Chowk and buried at nearby Sadar
Imambara. In the wake of large gathering and desire of everyone to have a
glimpse of tazia, the route of procession was extended to cover almost
all the localities of the city. The new route covered areas known as Bazaar
Bhua Sae, Chatatar, Kothia Tola, Bara Duariya, Hamam Darwaza, Sheikh
Mahamid, Ajmeri Mohalla, Bazaar Alif Khan, Qazi ki Gali, Umar Khan,
Zaer-E-Masjid Masjid Qalan, Muhalla Arzaq, Naqi Phatak, Bagh- e-Hashim,,
Daliyana Tola, Sheikh Buhanuddin Pura, Bada Maqdoom
Shah, Bazar Tola, Rani Bazaar, Nasir Khwan, Chatri Ghat, Nawab Ghazi Ka
Kuan, Jagdishpur and Begumganj. Everywhere the procession was received
with great reverence and devotees offered nazr and bedecked tazia with
flower and garlands. Amidst a large gathering and thundering ‘Matam’,
the procession reached Sadar Imambara and tazia was buried in a sad and
somber atmosphere punctuated occasionally by the wailing of devotees.
Since
then, Jaunpur has become one of the most the most popular centers of
Chehlum in whole of India with Islam Chowk as main hub of activities.
The organizers over the generations have not only developed the scale of
Shabbedari and standard of Majlises by inviting prominent Anjumans and
Zakirs but also retained the old traditions and rituals intact. There
has been no change even in the route. After the miracle, Tazia of Islam
Chowk has assumed the most significant position among the tazias.
Devotees who keep tazias at other Imambaras and Chowks also
join the procession. Sheikh Islam’s tazia however leads the procession
that culminates at Sadar Imambara in the evening in presence of
countless devotees. There has been just an amendment since the happening
of miracle in early 18th century. Instead of Shab-E-Ashur , this tazia is now kept on 18th Safar and Anjumans
recite Nauhas and perform matam throughout the night The tazia is known
for fulfilling wishes hence, people from all faiths visit Chowk for the
fulfillment of their wishes from the time of its placing on the Chowk
till its departure . On 19th Safar, a majlis is held after
Sozkhwani and then the procession begins. A Tabut also accompanies the
tazia and it is also believed to be an outcome of another miracle of
Masoomeen. Anjuman Sajjadia and Ali Mission Committee Jaunpur have been
organizing the observance of Chehlum every year. The sincere efforts of
the office bearers have given Shiraz-e-Hind, the title given to Jaunpur
for having been capital of Sharqi Rulers, an exalted status in the
context of Chehlum observance as compared to other leading centers of
azadari like Lucknow and Hyderabad. Besides Islam Chowk, Imambara Kallu
Marhoom also hosts Chehlum rituals which give fillip to Jaunpur Chehlum.
The city also has several other Anjumans that also organize Shabbedaris
and perform Zanjeer ka Matam in such a way that the blood oozing out
from the bodies of matamdars presents a spectacle of battlefield. The
almost dried river Gomti’s water also reminds the mourners of Euphrates
that was declared out of bound for Imam Husain by Yazidi force. As an
outcome, Imam and his followers had to laid down their lives for the
sake of Islam with three days hunger and thirst. ( Reference Available on Request) 
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