Front view of Agha Meer's Karbala at Narahi-Lucknow
Dr.Mazhar Naqvi
Nawab Mutmuddaula Bahadur Agha Meer, the Prime Minister of Awadh, had built many shrines dedicated to martyrs of karbala and holy Imams in his life time.He lies buried in Kanpur where he was banished after the death of his patron King Ghazi Uddin Haider. His tomb is in Gwaltoli locality and famous as Maqbara. Anjuman Muhammadi Moin- Ul- Aza takes care of his mausoleum and converted into an Imambargah.
In Lucknow too, Agha Meer had built Imambaras, Karbalas and Palaces.Ironically, none of his buildings has survived in Lucknow and fallen prey to either land grabbers or government sponsored organizations.
Only Karbala built by him in Narahi area has remained in somewhat satisfactory position. It is not because of Imamis or any NGO working for the upkeep of old monuments but Freemasons have been responsible for the upkeep of Karbala.Gifted by the British, Freemasons used Karbala as their headquarters and not vacated it till date despite protests from Lucknow Imamis.
It is stated that Agha Meer had erected Karbala on almost 11 acres of land and decorated it richly. Karbala had four imposing minarets and a small mosque in the middle.It is unfortunate that Karbala built by Agha Meer after remaining under British possession is still away from the reach of devotees of Imam Hussain due to rigidity of Freemasons.The organization is notorious for its mysterious activities and often blamed for spreading hatred. In view of the secretive nature of the organization, locals call Karbala even as Jadughar(House of Magic).
(References available on request.Photo Courtesy Google Images)
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