'Nawab Shaeed Ka Maqbara' -Imami Shrine of Patna

Muharram Procession on Way to Karbala in PATNA 

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Nawab Shaheed Ka Maqbara (Tomb of Martyred Nawab) is a popular Imami shrine of Patna, the capital of Indian province Bihar. Imamis hold the tomb complex in high esteem in the wake of an old Imambara’s existence with a mosque adjacent to it. The place also finds place in the promotional literature of Bihar tourism department but the blogger failed to find its picture despite extensive research on material available on the history of Patna on internet. The blogger has requested one of his relatives based in Patna to forward a photograph of the tomb and Imambara and Insha Allah will upload on receipt. There is scarcity of material even on the emergence of tomb as a popular Imami shrine and how it came to be revered by devotees of Imam Hussain ?       

In fact, the tomb contains the grave of  Nawab Zainuddin Haibat Jung, the Governor of Bihar (1740-48) and father of Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah whose defeat at the battle of Plassy in 1757 had paved way for the establishment of British rule in India . Haibat Jung was most treacherously murdered by Murad Sher Khan, a  Rohilla Afghan as a revenge for killing another Rohilla in a battle. Haibat's body was cut into  two pieces and suspended on the eastern and western gates of Patna. After killing Nawab, Rohillas had also plundered and destroyed  Patna. One Isphahani buried the martyred Nawab in Begumpur locality near Patna city station. It is also not known as to how constructed the tomb, Imambara and mosque. It is widely believed that Nawab Siraj Ud Daula might have provided funds for the construction after becoming the ruler of Bengal.It is also an established fact that Siraj Ud daula had visited Patna after losing the battle. He was however captured and later on put to death by Miran, son of Mir Jafar. The tomb has beautiful jail work on black stone .Imambara and mosque however need renovation as the large garden surrounding the place has turned virtually into a field .The place buzz with activity during Muharram when Tazia and Alam processions wend their way to maqbara from various localities of Patna City.The authopr of Tarikh e-Muzaffari has also given a detailed account of the beauty of Nawab Shaeed ka Maqbara .(References available on request. Photo courtesy Google Images)