Prophet & Imams on the Walls of Hussaini Mahal

Outer View  Hussaini Mahal- Bijapur

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

In the previous post, the blogger has written about the history of Hussaini Mahal of Bijapur. It was revealed in the post that Hussaini Mahal was erected as an Imambara for observance of Azadari rituals  during the first 10 days  of Islamic month of Muharram by an Adil Shahi ruler and people wrongly call it as Pani Mahal. Not to make the post very lengthy, the blogger had not mentioned a unique feature of Hussaini Mahal. To set the record straight, now the blogger is going to discuss the existence of the epigraphs on the elevation of the inner walls of Hussaini Mahal , containing  the Persian poetry in praise of the Prophet,  Imams and the martyrs. While details of each epitaph is being given as under, it is worth mentioning here that two of them are no longer readable:

In the right line of the left flank, from top to bottom epitaphs says ,

Muhammad ,the Prophet) is the head of Prophets, the trustworthy messenger and friend of God

To the extent He the Prophet) is the fountain head of seven and four.

Hazrat Fatima  is light of Prophet’s eyes.She was what a celebrated wife of "King of the Braves, Hazrat Ali'.

Imam Hasan was selected from God, he was imam of the creatures. 

In the left line of the right flank, from bottom to top, it is mentioned :

From him(Imam Hussain) the moon of religion received light and brilliance.Imam Husain is a leader of religion, he is  "King of Karbala. He is light of eyes of the Prophet, a friend of God.

Ali, son of Imam Hussain is a strong and powerful man.

In the right line of the right Flank from bottom to top, the verses describe :

Imam Baqar is a skyof reward and protector of religion.

The astray seek path from him.

From the learned Imam Jafar Sadiq.In the world, entire religious Knowledge came to be manifested.

In the left line of the left Flank from top to bottom, it is written:

The King of World and religion Muhammad Taqi.Whose doors of virtues are equivalent to sky.

Ali Naqi is a famous guide or counsel of sanity. He is Imam of the World and King of the treasure of pearls

 Between the lines on the top of the right Flank, it is figured out :

Hasan Askari is chief of the braves and courageous. From him the virtuous get honor and prestige.

Between the lines on the top of the left flank, Imam Mahdi, the awaited one, has been eulogized :

World’s Imam, a man of Holy Quran. Imam Mahdi Who guides the men and jinne and follows the right path

 In the bottom of left flank, the calligraphist has taken credit if his work:

It has been written by the slave of the court Naqi al Husaini, AH. 1081 corresponding to AD. 1670

Hussaini Mahal is probably the only Imambargah of  pre-Mughal period where so many verses are on the interior walls of the holy structure  in praise and greatness of the Prophet, his family and  the  Imams. (References available on request-Photo Courtesy Google Images)