'Choti Sarkar'- Imambara With Mojizati Alam

Imambara Choti Sarkar with Spectacular Illumination 

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Imambara ‘Chota Sarkar’ is to Zaidpur what ‘Chota Imambara’ is to Lucknow. Like Chota Imambara of Lucknow, Choti Sarkar is also well-decorated and a faithful carrier of traditional Muharram rituals in Zaidpur- a small town but a great center of Azadari since the arrival of Syed Abdulla ‘Zarbaksh’9Gifter of Gold  in  the middle 11^th century. History reveals that Choti Sarkar was completed in three years after its foundati0n stone was laid down by Mir Syed Jafar Husain in 1276 Hijri (1859- 1860 AD). Also known as Imambara Garhi jaded, it is located in south of the town with a beautiful mosque near main entrance. Spread over a sprawling complex, Imambara has one large,four small Shahnasheen with two big halls. A large platform with a spacious lawn adds grace to the elegance of Choti Sarkar. Like its senior counterpart Bari Sarkar, Imambara Choti Sarkar too is creation of local masons and no architect was retained for its design.

Choti Sarkar Imambara’s most noteworthy relic(Tabarruk) is Alam of Hazrat Abbas, popularly known as ‘Mojizati  or Bara Alam’ among devotees. Imambara hosts its most popular and historic majlis on the night of 8th Muharram. The taking of Mojizati Alam in memory of Hazrat Abbas also marks the occasion. Late Syed Ali Hashim had miraculously found Bara Alam from the store of Holy Shrine of Hazrat Abbas in Karbala(Iraq) in 1295 Hijri (1878-1879).After getting the Alam, he was directed in a dream by a divine personality to take the relic to Zaidpur and display it with reverence every year on the night of 8^th Muharram so as to enable common people to have its glimpse and invoke intercession of Maula Abbas for removal of their problems. Being a popular ‘Ziyarat’ for over 150 years, devotees of all caste and creed in large number to see Mojizati Alam and pray before it for fulfillment of their desires.

Besides Mojizati Alam, Imambara is also home to scores of  Alams of gold, silver, bronze and coppers, Mahi-Maratib(Royal Insignia), beautiful wooden Zareeh that looks like famous Rumi-Gate of Lucknow, Bimari Bistar (Bed for Imam Husain’s ailing son Zainul Abedin, very costly Belgium Chandeliers. Imambara Choti Sarkar is profusely illuminated on Shab-e-Ashur (night preceding Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram).Under the watchful eyes of sincere trustees, Imambara is not only decently maintained but also meeting its all obligations related to Ayam –E-Aza.(Reference :1- Doctoral Thesis on  Azadari of Zaidpur 2-Inputs provided by  senior azadar Janab Qamar Abbas Zaidpuri. Photo Courtesy Google Images)