How Zuljinah Became Part of Muharram Processions?

Zuljinah of Jaunpur Inside Gomti River.

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Zuljinah, the loyal horse of Imam Hussain, has been accompanying Muharram processions for centuries in Indian sub-continent. However, there is no authentic research work so far as to who introduced the ritual as a part of Marasim-e-Azadari in the sub-continent. In major cities of India and Pakistan, Zuljinah processions are quite famous and attract huge crowd of devotees. In Kolkata, non-Muslims form beeline to feed the steed and take the leftover as ‘Tabbarubk’(Prasad or offering).In olden days, landlords used to purchase horses for Muharram processions and no one was allowed to ride it.Taking care of Zuljinah was a collective responsibility and caretakers were also retained to train them how to wal in the processions.

While recently browsing on Muharram rituals in Jaunpur district of  Uttar Pradesh, the blogger found an interesting account of the introduction of  Zuljinah as part of Ayam-E-Aza processions. The legend has been prominently displayed on the website dedicated to Azadari in Jaunpur –A city that is the second  largest center of Muharram ceremonies after Lucknow. The legend attributes the inclusion of Zuljinah by a warrior of Mughal emperor Humayun. His name was Syed Ahsan Akhwind Mir. He was in the service of Shah Tahmasp of Iran. Humayun had won back the crown of Hindustan with his help. Shah had also sent some of his brave warriors and commanders to help Himayun in strengthening his empire.

Syed Akhwind settled in Jaunpur.He is also credited with erecting a number of Imambaras in the city and some of them still exist.Later, he introduced Zuljinah as part of Muharram procession on the pattern of Iran where he had witnessed as to how much significance was attached to the faithful steed of Imam Hussain in view of its exemplary role at the battle of karbala. Every Imami knows how the wounded Imam had urged Zuljinah to bow down so that he could place himself on the arid land of Karbala for his last Sijda and how the loyal animal had spread its legs in response despite hunger and thirst. It is narrated that Imam had even apologized to Zuljinah for not being able to provide water and food to him. Apart from this account, the blogger has not seen any other mention about the history of Zuljinah’s participation in Muharram processions in Indo-Pak.If anyone wants to supplement and wish to make this article more readable, please fell press to comment and enlighten.(References available on request. Photo Courtesy Googles Images )