Imambara Muzaffar Ali and Its Landmarks

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Imambara Nawab Muzaffar Ali Khan in Patkapur locality of Kanpur City indeed has many landmarks to its credit. Popular as Mahal Ka Imambara among the devotees, the Imambara is not only one of the oldest in Indian province of Uttar Pradesh but also has a sacred relic associated with Karbala –E-Moella. The relic turns red on Shab-E-Ashur is preserved a beautiful show case. Devotees are allowed to have a glimpse of the relic on the 9^th night of Muharram. Built about 150 years ago by Nawab Muzaffar Ali who was an affluent trader apart from being a landlord, the Imambara also has the largest pulpit of the city. It was erected especially for recital of marsiya by Mir Anees. The pulpit is made of wood and has a raised platform with ornamentation. A Zari is permanently kept at Imambara and on 1^st day of Ashra-e-Muharram another Zari is brought here by Anjuman-E-Rizviya from Shivala area. This Zari is taken out in a procession on Yaum-e-Ashura by the Anjuman and it reaches Gwaltoli Karbala after passing through Ram Narayan Bazar, Shivala, Parade, Chunniganj and Souterganj areas. It is buried there by the descendants of Nawab Muzaffar Ali. Throughout the route, Anjuman performs nauhakhwani, Sinazani,  Qama zani and Zanjeer Jani. On an average, more than 100 members of Anjuman perform matam with Sword. 

The Imambara has striking similarity with some of its counterparts in Lucknow. It has a separate enclosure for installation of Zari and Alams during Muharram on a raised platform. Just below the enclosure is the hall for audience with the  pulpit. There is provision for women to listen Majalis or watch Muharram ceremonies in the form of balconies on both sides of the hall. After the hall, there is open space with an Alam installed in a small bricked enclosure. Imambara also boasts of Patkas and Alams dating back to Nawabi era. Nawab Mumtaz Sahib, a descendant   who takes keen interest in the upkeep of Imambara told the blogger that Nawab Muzaffar Ali was married to one of the daughters of Mutmuddaula Bahadur Agha Mir who was Prime minister of Awadh and settled in Kanpur after his removal from the post. He was a very good poet also and used to compose couplets in praise of 14 infallibles but his work is not traceable now. 

(Article is based on the inputs given during the  personal visit of the blogger to Imambara. All photos are also by the blogger himself.)