Kunwarpur Karbala and Its Unique Distinction

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Karbala Kunwarpur  has the unique distinction of having maximum numbers of shrines dedicated to martyrs of Karbala under one roof. Kunwarpur Karbala has fallen prey to vagary of the weather and turned into an earthen mound. One  Nusrat Hussain Sahib under a divine command   happened to settle at Kunwarpur with his wife in 2007.He began digging the mound and Karbala resurfaced .Nusrat Sahib claims that Karbala was built under the orders of  King of Samthar State. The ruler was directed to erect a Karbala after he was blessed with a son due to prayers of Mir Kalbe Ali Shah who was known for his miraculous powers and had been residing at Kunwarpur in 19^th century. The original Karbala had shrines of Bibi Fatima,Hazrat Imam Hasan,Imam Husain, Hazrat Ali Akbar, Hazrat Abbas, Hazrat Ali Asghar, Habeeb Ibne Mazahir,Hazrat Qasim,Bibi Zainab, Bibi Umme Kulsum, Hazrat Muslim,His two son, namely Muhammad and Ibrahim.

Located at Kunwarpur on Fatehpur-Bindki road about 60 kms from Kanpur city,Karbala is being re-erected by a lawyer Jafri Sahib and is nearing comp0-letionm.He claims that shrines dedicated to  Prophet Hazrat Muhammad,his Wife Hazrat Khadija and Hazrat Ali were also under one roof when the Karbala was built around 1850 AD . He told the blogger that he will also add the shrines of the three holy personalities after completion of the dome.The blogger is posting images of the shrines under one roof at Kunwarpur Karbala for the perusal of the viewers.For more details of Karbala ,plz read the article under the title “Kunwarpur Karbala and Its Miraculous Discovery” on Muharram Mirror.

Al photos by Blogger.

Kunwarpur Karbala and Its Miraculous Discovery

Karbala Kunwarpur at Sunset

A Karbala buried under an earthen mound has been discovered at Kunwarpur village in district Fatehpur of Indian province Uttar Pradesh. Once a sprawling complex, the Karbala is being constructed with the support of not only Muslims but Hindus as well. The discovery of Karbala is miraculous. It so happened that one Mr.Nusrat Hussain returned from Allahabad to settle at Kunwarpur around 2007. He started a madarsa for all Muslims and devoted himself to prayers and teaching. Upon coming to know that a Karbala once existed on the outskirts of the village, he began searching for its exact location. He found an earthen mound and began digging it on his own. His wife too joined him later. Villagers initially laughed him at his endeavor but started extending him   support after finding him persistent and passionate. The relentless efforts yielded the desired result. A number of old graves were found and signs of Imambara like structure surfaced. Inspired by the success, Mr.Nusrat looked for the revenue records and even found a registered document. It, indicated that King of Samthar had purchased the land and built a sprawling Karbala as a token of gratitude to Syed Kalbe Ali Shah, one of the direct descendants of   prominent Saint Shah Wilayat Sahib of Amroha. The King had no issue and blessed with one with the prayers of Syed Kalbe Ali. He wanted to give wealth to the saint to express his gratitude but Syed Kalbe Ali refused and asked him to built Karbala.

Shrine of Hazrat Imam Hasan, Imam Hussain and Hazrat Ali Akbar at Kunwarpur Karbala  

The King fulfilled his desire and built Karbala with shrines dedicated to Imam Hasan and Hussain, Maula Abbas , Hazrat Ali Akbar, Hazrat Ali Asghar, Hazrat Muslim and his sons, Habeeb Ibne Mazahir and Hazrat Zainab and Bibi Umme Kulsum. Lack of maintenance reduced to rubbles the entire complex in a few decades and people forgot about Karbala. The miraculous arrival of Nusrat Sahib changed the scenario. He not only excavated Karbala but also began its construction. He also discovered the grave of Syed kalbe Ali and got it erected. He also found support of a Hindu trader who got erected golden grills around each shrine and grave. In a meeting with the blogger, Nusrat sahib said” I came to know about the location of Karbala and replica of holy graves of martyrs in dreams. After each dream, I began digging only to found the grave identified to me in dream”. Kunwarpur has very few Imamis.Hence, the reconstruction began on a slow pitch but got   encouragement when a lawyer of Allahabad High Court Mr. Jafri  took interest.

The author had the honor of visiting Karbala on August 9,2016.He found the main dome over the shrines of Hazrat Imam Hasan, Imam Hussain and Hazrat Ali Akbar under construction.Mr. Abrar, the caretaker,revealed that the grills around the shrine dedicated to the children of Hazrat Muslim will also be installed shortly.