Unfazed Hindus of Mahmudabad Azadari

Zuljinah of Mahmudabad

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Among the princely states of colonial India, Mahmudabad still retains to a great extent regal touch of Azadari and Ganga- Jamuni Tahzeeb(Culture) in true sense. Mourners and devotees from all walks of life can be seen jostling together for a glimpse of ‘Zuljinah’(the faithful Horse of Imam Hussain) procession on 8^th of Rabi-Ul-Awwal, the last day of Two Month and Eight day long period of mourning observed by Shia Muslims all across the globe.

Azadari begins at Mahmudabad after sighting of moon with Ex-ruler and his family decorating Imambara well in advance. But Mahmoodabad is famous for its 8^th Rabi- Ul- Awwal procession of Zuljinah and Alam of Hazrat Abbas. On this day, one can see Sadhus praying before Alam and Hindu women striving to feed Zuljinah with milk and Jalebi’ and applying ash along with their ‘Sindoor’.

Dalits of the town have been volunteering themselves to carry flags of the procession for centuries and no one has ever objected to their participation. Rohit Valmiki, who is in his late twenties, reveals his father ad grand father also used to be flag bearers in the procession that is known for its grandeur with Elephants, Camels, Horses and gold and Silver relics giving an idea to devotees as to how grand must have been the procession during heydays of Mahmoodabad state.

In a joint effort by Waqf-e-Maharaja and Shoulder to Shoulder Foundation, The Qila of Mahmudabad hosted ‘Karbala: Beyond Religious Boundaries’, a one-of-a-kind programe to give everyone an opportunity to experience Mahmudabad’s unique way of commemorating Muharram, on 8 October. The programe was aligned with Mahmudabad’s juloos of 6th Muharram, which is known the world over for its grandeur and elaborate traditional rituals. In a heart-warming showcase of Awadh’s composite culture,people from all faiths not just participated but also took actively mada arrangements. In fact, participants included even foreign nationals from as far as Switzerland and US.  For many, it was the first experience of Azadari and Taziadari.All of them appreciated the initiative and considered themselves lucky for having been part of Mahmudabad Azadari.  

The occasion also offered the participants to have a glimpse of several dying arts associated with Muharram, like nassari, sozkhwani and shehnai recitals. Raja Mahmudabad and his son Ali Khan Mahmudabad briefed the guests and participants about the role played by princely states and ordinary people in keeping the memory of Imam Hussain and his sacrifices for centuries. The attendees included several well-known personalities like Wajahat Habibullah, Amarul Habibullah, Masood Ahmad, Mehru Jaffer, Mrs Shabi-ul-Hasnain, Zeba Siddiqui, Iqbal Kidwai, Tahira Hasan, Shanney Naqvi, Ashfaq Khan, Afzal Maududi, Husain Afsar, Trilochan Kalra, Abhineet Seth, Praveer Singh, Syed Farooq Rizvi (UAE), and Mohammad Asif (Saudi Arabia).   

In 2017, Raja Mahmoodabad invited 25 students from Haryana based Ashoka university to expose themselves to Muharram rituals and message of Karbala. The participants included a number of Hindu girls who were wonderstruck when tragedy of Karbala was narrated before them.They came to see muharram ceremonies at the invitation of their history teacher who works with university and also son of Raja Sahib.   

Mahmudabad  was one of the largest states Of Awadh Kingdom.During the rule of Nawab Ali Khan who was better known by his title Muqeem- Ud Daulah, Azadari flourished. Like Nawabs of Awadh,Muqeem Ud Daula made Muharram observance into a mass movement. Cutting across religious boundaries, caste, creed and religion, people from all faiths considered Imam Hussain as their own.

While in Lucknow participation of Hindus have subdued for a variety of reasons, Mahmudabad is still keeping the tradition alive, thanks to the presence of Raja Sahib who ensures his visit to Mahmoodabad from his Qaisarbagh house in state capital in all the important processions and customs related to Azadari. Raja Sahib proudly acknowledges the devotion of his cooks Bihari and Hazari for Imam Hussain and recalls how them excelled in the art of preparing Tabarruk for Majalis. Both of them used to participate in all the rituals like a Shia.

Another unique feature of Azadari of Mahmudabad that devotees are hosted by ‘Qila’(Fort)-the palace of Raja Sahib ,irrespective of caste, creed and faith. To ex-ruler, all are guests of Qila being a devotee of Imam Hussain. Raja sahib has very significant holy relics and a large number of Hindus specially visit Mahmudabad to have their look not only in Muharram but on other days as well.  

    

Source: Mili Gazzette/Local Newspapers/Personal interaction/Photo Courtesy Google Images