Chandu Ka Tazia of Fatehpur -India
Dr.Mazhar
Naqvi
‘Chandu Ka Tazia’ is not only the most
revered constituent of Muharram rituals in Fatehpur City but also a successful
model of micro-financing. Made of gold and silver, this Tazia is taken in the
form of a procession by ‘Sabzi Farosh’ (Vegetable Seller) community on ‘Shab-e-Ashur’
and cooled down on 11th Muharram instead of Yaum-e-Ashura. It passes
through its traditional route and attracts large number of devotees from all walks
of life and faiths different faiths.
Started by Chand Shah Sahib over a
century ago, Tazia became a source of micro-financing when its popularity grew
as a wish-fulfilling relic and people started making offerings of gold and
silver ornaments as a token of gratitude. As Tazia already had enough gold and
silver on its blessed structure, its managing committee introduced a novel method
of utilizing the offerings for socio-economic uplift of the community. They started
getting the gold and silver offerings melted after each Muharram a few decades
ago. They generated cash by selling the gold and silver gained through melting
and began offering interest free loan to needy with the clause of penalty in
case of default in payment beyond the specified period.
The arrangement proved too beneficial
for the community as a number of people started their own ventures with the
loan granted by Imam. It is believed that vegetable sellers of Fatehpur have
expanded their business up to Mumbai and Kolkata and they have their outlets in
these cities. They also supply vegetable to neighboring districts like Kanpur, Allahabad,
Kaushambi and Banda in the past few years. It is estimated that Chandu Ka Tazia
receives offerings worth Rs. 10 Lakh at least every year. As the beneficiaries return
the principal amount with a part of their profit as token of gratitude to Imam,
the initial amount has become manifold. The number of beneficiaries has also
swelled with the availability of more funds.
The most noteworthy feature of the
scheme is the recovery rate. There has been not even single case of bad debt. The
committee maintains complete transparency and favoritism has never been
reported. The committee members consider it their solemn duty to ensure that
each and every rupee of Tazia is accounted for judiciously. Beneficiaries too
don’t dare to play any trick with Tazia’s money. It is not fear but sheer
devotion that propels them to return the loan without fail. Those who falter due
to unavoidable circumstances pay the specified penalty without any flinch. An
idea about devotion of the community can be gauged from the fact that hundreds
of women surround the Tazia immediately after it is kept at the Chowk. They fan
it with Morchals (feathers of Peacock)till its burial on 11th on
rotation basis. No member of the community sleeps till the burial of Tazia that
moves in procession for about 72 hours. The Chowk is profusely illuminated and mobile
lights and bands playing mournful tunes accompany the procession throughout. More
than Muslims, it is non- Muslims who offer gold ornaments and their
participation makes Chandu Ka Tazia a symbole of communal harmony.(Article is
based on the inputs provided by Fatehpur lawyer Janab Saeedul Hasan Naqvi)
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