A Forgotten Story of Karbala- 'Gul-i-Maghfirat'

An Old Photograph of Fort William where Gul-i-Maghfirat was Wrtitten.

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

‘Gul-I-Maghfirat’(The rose of forgiveness) remains unknown to Imamis by and large. It is surprising, considering the fact that it was first published way back in 1812 in Calcutta, now known to the world as Kolkata. The work is summary of the translation of Persian work ’Rauzat-ush-Shuhuda’. It was written by Haider Baksh Haideri who worked as Munshi in Fort William College, Calcutta. His summary contains 16 majlises that deal with the sufferings of Hazrat Imam Hussain and his companions at Karbala. Renowned 19^th century French Indologist ,Gracin de Tassy has given due acknowledgement to the work of Haideri in his ‘Memoire sur des particularities de le religion,Musulmane dans I,Inde,dapre’s les ouvrages Hindustanti’. He has also mentioned that the work has not yet been translated even though it was printed in 1812.Gracin’s memoirs were published in Paris in 1831.The indologist was surprised over non-translation in view of large scale observance of Muharram ceremonies in India in early 19^th century by all sections of the society.

Available historical evidences suggest that Haideri was born in Delhi in 1768 and he reached Calcutta via Benaras(Now Varanasi).After retirement ,he returned to Benaras and breathed his last there in 1828. It is believed that he worked under the guidance of john Gilchrist who was Professor of Hindustani at the college. Popular ’ Tota Maina ki Kahani’ is also attributed to Haideri. Upon search, the blogger found that a translated version of  Gul-I-Maghfirat was published  in Lahore(Pakistan) in 1965 but its copies are not available.Gul-I-Maghfirat  needs attention from Imamis and they can search and get it translated during ongoing Ayam-E-Aza.it will be a befitting tribute to Haideri  who produced the work out of his sheer devotion to martyrs of Karbala.(References Available on request. Photo Courtesy-Google Images)