Lado sakhan Ka Tazia in Lucknow

Shahi Julus of Muharram  in Lucknow

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Nawabs of Lucknow are credited with making Muharram ceremonies into a mass movement in 18^th century but contribution of economically marginalized women in commemoration of martyrs of Karbala  remain unnoticed. Lado Sakhan is one such woman. She was poverty stricken yet she kept a Tazia at her house without fail.

It is on historical records that when Nawab Asaf Ud Daula wanted to erect world famous Bada Imambara, Lado’s house proved to be a barrier. The lady refused to sell her house when royal employees approached her. Nawab then visited her personally and asked as to what was preventing her from selling the house even at exorbitant price. The lady replied as to how could she sell house where she has been keeping Tazia of Imam Hussain for several years.

When Nawab informed her that he intended to built an Imambara ,she agreed to shift elsewhere with the condition that her Tazia will be part of the procession not only in Asafud Daula’s life time but by her successors as well.She refused to accept a single penny for leaving the place. Finding her unrelenting, Nawab included the name of her Tazia in the royal decree.    

Since then, her Tazia is being kept at Bada Imambara on 28^th day of Zilhij,two days prior to commencement of Muharram.On 1^st of Muharram, Tazia of Lado Sakhan is taken out as part of Shahi(Royal) Muharram procession. As a mark of respect to the commitment made by Nawab Asaf ud Daula, Hussainabad trust takes care of Tazia. But devotees consider it as Tazia of Nawab as no one ever mentions name of Lado Sakhan.

Her name is preserved only in records and there is urgent need to create awareness about the origin of Lado Sakhan ka Tazia.The religious scholars of Lucknow can do sobut it is suprisinfg that they have not paid any attention to the contribution of an eccnomically marginalized woman or acknowledges the fact that despite her poverety, she did not accept money for vacating her house for the sake of Azadari.

Source :Personal observation and visit/talks with officials of Hussainabad Trust/Photo Courtesy Google images