Hussaini Eunuchs(Kinnars) Repeat History

Imam Chowk Erected by Eunuchs(Kinnars) at Kunwarpur

Dr. Mazhar Naqvi

History has repeated itself in a moderate way at Kunwarpur village of district Fatehpur. Adjacent to their existing mosque, Kinnars, called as Khwajasaras and eunuchs, have erected an Imam Chowk to keep Tazia every year during Muharram. They are also planning to build an Imambargah in and around Imam Chowk in days to come. The state President of Kinnars Iqbal Bhai and his close aide Nabbu Bhai have primarily been responsible for the erection of Imam Chowk and introduction of Taziadari in Kunwarpur that happens to be a famous headquarter(Gaddi) of Kinnars from Nawabi era.

As Iqbal Bhai and his associates are not nobles or influential courtiers like their illustrious predecessors like Almas Ali Khan, Jawahar Ali Khan, Tahseen Ali Khan and Javed Khan, they have not been able to erect imam Chowk like Imambaras and Dargahs  built by Khwajasaras of Awadh Nawabs but their spirit surely reflects that they are not at all inferior to anyone as far as love for martyrs of Karbala is concerned. The idea of erecting Imam Chowk came to the mind of Iqbal Bhai after the renovation work of Kunwarpur Karbala started a about two years back.kinnars had also heard a story that there used to be a Tazia procession from their mosque on 10^th of Muharram. The mosque too was in a ruinous condition. Then, Iqbal Bhai got the mosque reconstructed and after it decided to reintroduce Tazia procession from this year.

Nusrat Hussain, who took keen interest in the reintroduction of Tazia procession told the blogger that Imam Chowk was completed in few days and Kinnaras from far off places came to take part in Tazia procession. Even Non-Muslims and other communities residing in Kunwarpur attended the procession with reverence. The procession started from Imam Chowk and culminated at Karbala Kunwarpur on yaum-e-Ashura. Iqbal Bhai and Nabbu Bhai remained present on the occasion.

It is worth mentioning here that Khwajasaras like Almas Ali Khan and Jawahir Ali Khan were great azadars(mourners). Imambargah built by Jawahar ali Khan is a famous azakhana of Faizabad city. Khwajasaras like Javed khan and Tahseen Ali Khan also built Imambaras and complex like Shah-e-Mardan of Jorbagh in New Delhi. Almost all Khwajasaras promoted Azadari but their role diminished once they lost royal favors and become jobless during British era. They started eking out their living through the collection of ‘negs’ from the families of newly born children or by dancing at wedding ceremonies and praying for the welfare of the copuple. Majority of Kinnars live in poverty and hence, erection of Imam Chowk is to be seen against the backdrop of their present condition. Their efforts need appreciation from devotees of Imam Hussain as they have not repeated history in a moderate way but also created it by showing their magnificent spirit.(References available on request.)