Taziadari in Fatehgarh Cantonment

 

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Fatehgrah Cantonment has a unique association with Taziadari. During Muharram, Tazias were kept in the central hall of the old building of the military hospital. The confirmation comes from the official website of Indian Army and official blog of Rajput regiment.It states “ The present Military Hospital, Fatehgarh was the palace of Nawab Hakim Mehdi Ali Khan. He was several times Vazir (Prime Minister) of Oudh. He raised himself from the condition of a soldier of fortune to the high post, and made himself a millionaire. The center room with its mass columns was used by Nawab Hakim Mehdi Ali Khan as his 'Tazia Khana' where he kept the tazias or models of the tomb of king Husain, for displaying at religious festivals. The Palace was self sufficient with all requirements for a Nawab including a bathing pool. The palace was converted to a military hospital on reoccupation of Fatehgarh by the British.”

Hakim was  One of the most influential persons in the court of Oudh during the rule of Nawab Saadat Ali. His successor Badshah Ghazi Udddin Haider dismissed him and deprived was deprived of all his public offices, much of his property and even imprisoned.On his release, he settled at Fatehgarh and developed business interest in indigo plantation. Hakim spent almost 15 years at Fatehgarh from 1822 to 1837.He twice served as Prime Minister of Oudh. His second term lasted for about two months only. Hakim died in Lucknow.   

Reference :rajput-regiment.blogspot.com/2017/10/fatehgarh-cantt-and-fatehgarh-

Image Courtesy:Farrukhabad.nic.in  

Panjatan Pak on Buland Darwaza

 

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Buland Dadrwaza, a masterpiece of Mughal architecture and one of the highest gateways in the word, has the names of holy ‘Panjatan Pak’ inscribed on it. It has remained a little known fact among the lovers of pious FIVE, for it is not promptly displayed like the famous quote of Jesus Christ written in Persian. It  reads "Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary) said: 'The world is a Bridge, pass over it, but build no houses upon it. He who hopes for a day may hope for eternity, but the World endures but an hour. Spend it in prayer for the rest is unseen.'"

Built by Akbar-The Great to commemorate his victory over Gujrat at Fatehpur Sikri near Agra,the gateway is  a UNESCO world heritage site. The Mughal architecture seems to be at its best simply by a close look. It is perfect in symmetric and reflects a judicious mix of Persian and Hindu style of architecture, besides reflecting the secular outlook of the Mighty Mughal Emperor. Another unique feature of the gateway is the religious teachings from the holy Quran carved on its walls and roof. A visitor also gets details of Akbar’s achievements from the words inscribed on the walls. The religious teachings through calligraphy is attributed to a disciple of Sheikh Salim Chishti whose shrine welcomes visitors as one passes through the gateway from southern side of Fatehpur Sikri complex. However, name of one Ahmad Ali appears as calligrapher who carved the names of the Panjatan on one of the stone tiles of the gateway.

Reference; Available on request.

Image Courtesy Google 

Rowzat al Shohda was Composed by Shia or Sunni?

 

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

It may surprise majority of Shias that Mulla Hussain Vaez Kashefi who wrote ‘Rowzat- al- Shohda’(Garden of the Martyrs) was a Sunni with tremendous love for Ahlebait-E-Athar.His work is considered to be instrumental in institutionalizing Muharram ceremonies not only in Iran but also in Indian sub-continent. Another noteworthy feature is that ‘Rowzat al Shohda’ predates the Safavid dynasty that had adopted and promoted it for popularizing Azadari and allied rituals after declaring Shiism as state religion.   

In fact, Sunni ruler Sultan Hussain Bayqara (1469-1506) had commissioned Kashefi to compose ‘Rowzat al Shohda ‘.He too loved family of the holy Prophet immensely. It was not surprising .Till the emergence of sectarian divide between Shias and Sunnis from 19^th century onwards ,both the communities held Ahlebait in high esteem. The tradition continues in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh and even in Iran till today.    

Kashefi was born in Sabzvar in 1420 CE. Being influenced by the shrine of 8^th Shia Imam Raza in Mashhad, he spent sometime there. Then he settled at Nishapur and moved to Herat permanently. In due course, he developed intimacy with Naqshbandi Sufi Abdul Rahman Jami who initiated him to the order that attributes its origin to the first Muslim Caliph after the Prophet. Remaining Sufi orders trace their lineage to Maula Ali. Kashefi may be an enigma for scholars but it is an undenying the fact that he wrote a Shia hagiography and lived happily in Herat, Khorasan, Afghanistan  and Eastern Iran, considering himself simply as a lover of Ahlebait and a devout Muslim. Similarly, his patron Sultan Bayqara never tried to conceal his love for Ahlebait and even got renovated Mazar-E-Sharif –considered by Afghans as the last resting place of Hazrat Ali.

The work continues to enjoy a canonical status as Shia hagiography even as the scholars keep debating whether Kashefi was a Sunni or Shia. Rowzat al-Shohda is an ‘Alid martyrlogy’, containing ten chapters with a conclusion. It describes at length the tragic events at Karbala, martyrdom of Imam Hussain and his companions in a language that resulted in its extreme popularity in Persian speaking belts beyond Iran. Kashefi spent his last days in Heart and lies buried close to the grave of Jami..

Reference : Based on the inputs taken from Karen G.Ruffle’s Ph.D. dissertation titled  -‘A Bride of One Night’.

Image Courtesy :Google

 

Dah Majlis by Mir Alam

 

Mir Alam Tank

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Mir Alam, one of the prominent Prime Ministers Hyderabad ever produced is best remembered for the water reservoir or tank he built for supply of water to southern part of the city. But he should also be remembered for composing ‘Dah Majlis’(Ten Majlises) for popularizing Muharram ceremonies among those not proficient with Persian or chaste Urdu. He composed the manuscript in 1781.

Mir Alam served as the Prime Minister of Nizam Sikandar Jah from 1804 and 1808.He composed his work in the form of ‘Qasida’ and it is believed that his preoccupation with state affairs refrained him from composing any other Shia hagiography. His work from Indian context the first of its kind after 17^th century ‘Karbal Katha’.

He was born to Syed raza who had moved to Deccan from Shustar region of  Iran. Raza settled a few metres away from Charminar in an area popularly known as Irani Gali or  Burqa Gali now among the Hyderabadis. He studied Persian deeply and developed a great devotion towards Ahlebait from his childhood.Alam began his as a vakil in Nizam’s court and rose to prominence when he got the chance to lead forces against Tipu Sultan in 1799.

In his composition, Alam has followed the pattern of ‘Rauzut Shohda’-a 16^th century Iranian work that has served as the basis of Karbala literature produced in India be it Hyderabad or Lucknow –two prominent centers of Azadari in India. Dah Majlis is known for the description of the marriage of Hazrat Qasim and Janab-E-Fatima Kubra. Mourners all over the world take out mehndi procession  7^th night of first ten days of Muharram to commemorate the wedding. Even though a number of Shia scholars have repeatedly questioned the authenticity of rituals associated with the tradition, the popularity of the Mehndi processions and Majalis have not diminished.

He is also credited for developing a bustling market which is still functional and known as Mir Alam Ki Mandi. After leading an eventful life,he died in 1808.Mir Alam lies buried in Daira Mir Momin-the oldest graveyard of Hyderabad.

References : Available on request

Photo Courtesy:Google/Indian Express/Serish Nanisetti      

Mehndi Ki Majlis

 

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Hyderabad has been a great center of Muharram ceremonies since the founding of Qutub Shahi dynasty in 1512.Be it Shia ruler or his Sunni counterpart or for that matter even Hindu nobles and ministers all ensured their participation in commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain. They erected Ashurkhanas and introduced Alam processions all over the state. The ceremonies and accompanying royal patronage inspired poets and authors to produce devotional literature. Some devotees excelled as Sozkhwan,Marsiyakhwan and Zakirs(Orators).Lovers of Imam Hussain also formed Matami( Chest Beating) Anjumans(networks).It is these Anjumans and their members who spill their blood on the streets of Darulshifa,Purani Haveli, Yaqutpura and Dabirpura while observing Muharram rituals in old city –the center of Azadari marasims.

Among those who encouraged Azadari in Hyderabad include Syed Abbas Sahib.He  moved to Hyderabad from Madras(Now known as Chennai) in 1860.He was an expert exponent of Marsiyakhwani. He sought patronage of Fifth Nizam Afzal Ud Daula Bahadur(1857-1869) and earned a dignified position.He initially settled in Abbas Manzil on the bank of Musi river.He began hosting Hazrat Qasim’s Majlis on 7^th Muharram every year. It became extremely popular in successive years. Majlis used to begin after culmination of Alam procession dedicated to Hazrat Qasim, the son of Imam Hussain and known as Groom of Karbala at Abbas Sahib’s mansion. It earned the title of ’Abbas Sahib Ki Mehndi Ki Majlis’ among local parlance. The family continued the tradition even after his death. In 1905,the family moved to Yaqutpura locality on a large plot of land near Alawa Hazrat-e-Qasim. At the instance of Abbas Sahib’s daughter, the family began hosting Mehndi ki Majlis in Yaqutpura. The crowd stretches from the house to Alawa. It is a little known fact now that Azakhana  Zohra was built by Mir Osman Ali Khan in early 20^th century where Abbas mansion once stood in Darulshifa.The  Nizam acquired the Mansion and other properties from Hyderabad Improvement Trust to erect an Ashurkhana dedicated to martyrs of Karbala in memory of his own mother .

References: Available on request

Image Courtesy: Google

Ahmad Shah-The First Shia Ruler of India

 

Tomb of Ahmad Shah Wali

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Ahmed Shah I, the ninth king of the Bahmani dynasty, who was the first Shia to rule in India i.e., 1422-1436. His conversion was a matter of personal choice. He never made any attempt to force his subjects to follow the faith adopted by him. He is believed to have converted to Shiism due to growing influence of Persia in Deccan.He is popularly known as Ahmad Shah Wali and was a great devotee of Sufi Gesudaraz Bandanawaz.

It is stated that Ahmad Shah heard about a Shia saint Shah Nimatullah of Mahan near Karman in South Persia. He sent a mission to him, comprising Sheikh Habibullah Junaidi, Mir Shamsuddin of Qum and others to request admission of the king as one of his disciples. Shah accepted the request. Ahmad then sent a second mission with the prayer that Shah should send one of his sons to India to act as his spiritual guide. Instead of son, Shah sent his grandson, Mir Nurullah. After the death of  Saint in 1430 C.E. his son, Khalilullah with two other sons visited India. They took up  permanent residence in the Deccan.

After the break- up of the Bahmani Kingdom, the rulers of the rival dynasties took an active interest in laying foundations for the establishment of the Shia religion in south India. The first was Yousuf Adil Shah of Bijapur. He had lived in Persia where he turned a zealous Shia. On accession to the throne in 1490 C.E. he declared Shiism as sate religion. However, his move caused much heartburning. He found  a combination of other Muslim rulers pitted against him.

At Ahmednagar, the second ruler of Nizam Shah dynasty, Burhan by name, openly professed the Shia religion, when he became ruler in 1509 C.E.Three years later, when the Turk, Quli Qutub Shah  founded his dynasty at Golconda, he introduced the Shia faith into his dominions without much difficulty. Shia kingdoms of the Deccan and the Shia Sufwid dynasty of Persia were all founded within a comparatively short time of each other, towards the close of fifteenth and the beginning of sixteenth century. This much is clear, however, that Shah Ismail, who was the first ruler of the Sufwid dynasty took great interest in India. In the year 1511 A.D. when Musaffer 11 ascended the throne of the petty kingdom of Gujarat, he was greeted with a splendid embassy from Shah Ismail.The Shia rulers of Deccan had far more than casual relations with the Shah of Persia is abundantly evident from the fact that frequent embassies arrived at the court of Tahmasp of Iran from the princes of southern parts of Indian Peninsula. These were sent especially from Nizam Shah of Ahmednagar; Qutub Shah of Golconda; Ali Adil Shah of Bijapur. The latter even went to the extent of informing Shah that he had ordered the Khutabh of Shias to be read in all the mosques of his dominion in the illustrious name of His majesty, the King of Persia. The king was so delighted that he expressed his satisfaction by presenting all manner of royal gifts to the ambassadors. The change of religion by Qutub-ul-Mulk, of Golconda turned his brothers and nobles against him.Then, Qutub-ul-Mulk behaved with moderation. He publicly let his subjects know that whatever he might believe, he was not going to interfere with their beliefs. 'Mv faith far myself and your faith for yourselves' was his tolerant maximum, and the result was that, although a few of his officers, withdrew from his service, majority remained loyal. In 1543 Qutub-ul-Mulk was assassinated whilst offering prayers in the mosque at Golconda as a sequel to a plot hatched by his son, Jamshed Quli who succeeded him. The first Golconda Sultan had ruled for sixty years, for sixteen years as Governor and forty-four, as independent prince. He was ninety years of age when he died. The new Sultan's first act was to change the State religion from the Shia to the Sunni. His next action was to dismiss all the  foreigners such as Turks, Persians and Mughal from his service with the exception of 400 men, whom he retained as a special Guard. In their place, he enlisted Deccanees and Abeyssinians.

References available on Request

Image Courtesy Google

Piece of Imam Hussain's Sword in Bijapur !

 

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

For want of authentic research, it remains a little known fact that a piece of Imam Hussain’s sword is part of the famous Hussaini Alam (Standard) of Bijapur. On the basis of interview with the caretaker of the Alam, Dr. Sadiq Naqvi who has done monumental work on Azadari and Ashurkhanas of Deccan, it is said that the piexce of the sword with which Imam pushed back Yazidi soldiers whenever they attempted to reach near his tents (Khemagah) reached Bijapur during the reign of Ali Adil Shah. It was placed as central Jeebe( Called Bijli in local parlance) of the Hussaini Alam.The holy relic was not the piece of the sacred sword Zulfiqar but from another sword, the account of the renowned historian has clarified.

The Alam is a metal pinnacle shaped like a hand, representing the  eminence of Panjantanpak viz. Prophet Muhammad, Hazrat Ali, Hazrat Fatima, Imam Hasan and Imam Husain. Over the front and back of the clip that holds the flanking and central Jeebes is engraved with the Kalma.The centre of the Alam has perforated inscription amidst the designs of flowers and creepers. It contains five lines of legends. The first verse of a Chapter Ikhlas of the Holy Quran finds place in the top.The names of Holy Five appears more than once in the Alam.                                        

The historic Alam figures in the couplet No-30 in the description of the Aashura in Ali Namah of Mulla Nusrati-the court poet of Ali Adil Shah. The legendary poet hints that the king made a vow to organize the Majlis (gathering) of elegies every year and  would erect the Husaini Alam. He fulfilled his vow after scoring victories and outsmarting his enemies. The existence of a piece of martyr of humanity Imam Hussain at Bijapur has failed to become a popular lore as no contemporary or near contemporary record supports the claim of caretaker.

Serious research work can unravel the mystery. The arrival of the holy relic should not be surprising at Bijapur.It is an established fact that Ali Adil Shah-II was a great devotee of Imam Hussain. His Kuliyat (poetical composition) contain verses dedicated to Imam Husain.

Moreover, it is also recorded in the history that  King Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah had received Naal Mubarak(a piece of the shoe of Imam Hussain’s horse) in his regime. The relic is preserved at Ashurkhana Naal Mubarak in Hyderabad.

References available on request.

Image Courtesy Google