Dr.Mazhar Naqvi
The heritage of Hyderabad surely remains in news. Be it restoration of the mausoleum of Mahlaqa Bai Chanda or repairs of Ashurkhanas or Nizam’s palaces. But there is certainly dearth of material about Eidgahs (Idgahs) of Hyderabad. It may be because of the fact that Eidgahs are used only twice a year for prayers on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr and Ed-ul-Azha.
In terms of popularity, Eidgah Mir Alam surpasses its counterparts in Hyderabad. But neither Mir Alam Eidgah nor Purani Eidgah were in news for Eid-ul-Fitr prayers recently. It was Eidgah inside the Qutb Shahi Tombs that remained center of attraction through Ramadan. They had a reason to look forward to be at Qutb Shahi Eidgah on Eid-ul-Fitr day following its restoration by Agha Khan Trust.The 16th century Idgah had lost much of its sheen and grandeur due to vagary of weather and apathy of State Archaeology Department. The layers of paint and the intricate work on Eidgah had turned greyish. Likewise, the minarets and the turrets on either side were also on the brink of collapse as a result of self-imposed restriction by State Archaeology department to give Eidgah a whitewash once in a year.
When Agha Khan Trust decided to restore the lost glory of 72 monuments in a span 10 years at a cost of Rs. 100 Crore, it included Eidgah also under its ambitious project and pressed into service craftsmen drawn from Rajasthan and Delhi to restore to its original glory. They chipped off the green and white paint on Eidgah’s wall with great care to expose elaborate flower design and craftsmanship bearing Turkish-Iranian influence on minarets that had also tilted alarmingly and now straightened. Craftsmen worked for over six months to diligently replace the cement with lime plaster to overcome destruction caused by humans and the vagaries of nature in the past 400 years.
The Idgah is just a small part of Ibrahim Bagh near Qutb Shahi tombs, containing 40 mausoleums, 23 mosques, six step wells, pavilions and gardens. Devotees were dazzled when they reached Eidgah to offer prayers, finding it spotless and done up in ornate stucco plaster patterns.There are seven arches with ‘mihrab’ in the centre in the Eidgah. Imam leads the prayer from mihrab and a huge scaffolding is erected to reach Eidgah as it is 6 meters high and 31 meters wide.
The most popular Eidgah of Hyderabad is named after Mir Alam ,the Prime Minister from 1804 to 1808 during the reign of the third NizamAsaf Jah 3rd. Eidgah is in Tadbun locality close to Mir Alam tank and Nehru Zoological Park. Mir Alam had laid the foundation of tank on July 20, 1804 and it was finished on June 8, 1806.The popularity of Eidgah had prompted the authorities to extend it on the right side up to the graveyard to accommodate more number of devotees during the Eid prayers.
Hyderabad also has yet another significant Eidgah. It is called as Purani Eidgah. It is also recorded as a heritage site and its most attractive feature is two astounding pillars having striking resemblance to the historic Charminar. This Eidgah is located in Eidi Bazaar area and a roofless, flat rectangular ground with a Qibla wall facing west. The Qibla wall is roofed enough to accommodate the first row of devotees and The Imam. The Eidgah dates back to the period of Sultan Muhammad Qutb Shah,1612-26. Since Mir Alam erected a new Eidgah near his tank, This Eidgah came to be known as Purani(Old) Eidgah. It however still attracts quite a large number of believers.
Purani Eidgah
The city also has an Eidgah that is named after Nawab Roshan ud- Daula. Probably built by Nawab Roshan ud-Daula, Eidgah was in a deserted condition and it was re-established by b Sufi Mohammad Mahboob Shareef Sahab in 2003.It is also visited by a large number of believers during Ramadan and Eid. .(References available on request).
Purani Eidgah
Eidgah Roshan ud-Daula
No comments:
Post a Comment