Bada Imambara Bilgram and Its Renovation

An Old Photograph of Bara Imambara-Bilgram's Renovation

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Bilgram has not received the attention it deserves from Muharram mourners. The history of Azadari in Bilgram dates back to the Mughal period and it has not lost its sheen till today, thanks to arrival of Bilgramis from all over the world to observe Muharram ceremonies at their native place. Bilgram is a historic but small town of district Hardoi. But it was an important settlement before the advent of Lucknow. Imamis have been inhabitants of Bilgram since 13^th century. They trace their lineage to Syed Muhammad Sughra who had arrived in India during the period of Sultan Iltutmish. He commanded a well-trained army and conquered the area in and around Bilgram from local rulers called  ‘Bharas’ in 1217-18 AD. They made Bilgram their headquarters and emerged as important power brokers in southern part of Awadh. Due to their scholarly pursuits and command over warfare, they developed Bilgram both as a center of Muharram ceremonies and seat of learning. Apart from producing affluent landlords, Bilgram also produced eminent scholars and personalities like Allama Azad Bilgrami (1704-1786), Syed Ali Bilgrami(1851-1911), Imad-ul-Mulk Bahadur Syed Hussain Bilgrami(1842-1926), Sursuba of Malwa and Isagarh estate Khan Bhadur Syed Ali Bahadur Bilgrami.

The Historic Tazia of Bilgram with dome of Dargah Hazrat Abbas in the Backdrop

Descendants of Syed Sughra also introduced Marasim-e-Azadari and Taziadari in Bilgram for two month and eight days at a time when Muharram observance in most of the parts of India was restricted to first 12 days.They also built an impressive Bara Imambara in Bilgram much before the construction of world famous Bara Imambara by Nawab Asaf- Ud- Daula in Lucknow by the end of 18^th century. They also built a Dargah of Hazrat Abbas that is believed to be 300 years old.  Important  Muharram processions and ceremonies take place in Bilgram on  6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th of Muharram , followed by  Chehllum, Bahattar Tabut and Chup Tazia processions of Bilgram are also quite famous and draw crowd of devotees from far off places to pay tribute to the martyrs of Karbala. Being very sensitive to their Muharram legacy, they began renovation of Bada Imambara after vagary of weathers left it in a dilapidated condition. The renovation began in 2006 and continued for several years. The untiring efforts of Imamis have restored the lost glory of Imambara and the new complex easily accommodate the crowd of devotees during each Muharram. Imamis have also given a facelift to Dargah of Hazrat Abbas and its dome and minarets seem to a replica of his shrine in Iraq. Bada Imambara complex also contains the grave of Syed Ali Bilgrami in its front courtyard.Notably three Anjumans, Committees formed especially to conduct Muharram ceremonies namely Anjuman Bazm-e- Hussainiya Qadeem, Bazm-e- Azaay-e-Hussain and Gulzar-e-Hussaini supervise and organise programs related to Ayam-E-Aza. (References available on request.Photo Courtesy Google Images )