Imami Martyrs of Indian Freedom Movement

An Old Photograph of Bibighar where Nawab was Hanged.  

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Nawab Azam Ali Khan and his son Amjad Ali Khan are two unsung heroes of India’s first War of Independence. Nawab was hanged to death on the order of Major Bruce in November 1858 in Kanpur while his son met a similar fate in Sarai Meera on the outskirts of Kannauj City. They were found guilty of supplying ‘Rasad’ to the troops of Nana Rao during what is described by British historians as ‘Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 ‘.After the recapture of Kanpur, the British had exhibited the most barbaric and cruel vendetta. Under the command of General Neil, the British soldiers hunted Nana Saheb and his followers and meted out most inhuman treatment those who landed into their custody.

The British were more inhuman and revengeful in Kanpur following the massacre of their fellow countrymen at Satichaura Ghat on the right bank of the Ganges and killing of English women and children inside Bibighar in 1857.They hanged scores of people on slightest suspicion. Before hanging them from an old Banyan tree near the site of Bibighar massacre, The British tried them summarily and found them guilty of participating in the massacre without hearing even their version. On the orders of General Neil, they were made to lick the blood of slain women and children. The British also used to light pyre under the gallows before hanging them. They realized fine to the tune of Rs.3 lakhs from locals to raise a memorial in memory of those killed by native forces in 1857, raided each house and hanged every one if found possessing any pro-Bahadur Shah or Nana Saheb  literature.

Nawab and his son somehow managed to evade arrest. While Azam Ali Khan remained in Kanpur but his son took shelter with Rani Sahiba of Tirwa near Kannauj. She used to consider Amjad Ali Khan as her brother and even tied Rakhi on Raksha Bandhan on his wrist. As British were aware of the crucial role  played by Nawab Azam in making constant supplies to Nana Saheb, they continues to track down him vigorously and finally captured him, tried him like other natives and hanged him also from the same banyan tree. His dead body was also dumped into a common grave dug out under the shadow of the tree for disposal of the corpses. The British also did not spare his son. Upon coming to know about his whereabouts, a        contingent was dispatched for Tirwa. Finding her Rakhi sister in danger, Amjad Ali immediately left Tirwa but captured near Sarai Meera. He too faced a summary trial and executed. His grave has become a popular shrine and the locals remember him as Syed or Shaeed Baba. Even after killing Nawab and his son, the British did not stop. They seized his all properties and auctioned his palatial palace in Gilis Bazar and two Kothis in Generalganj and Gwaltoli for just Rs.23000.Traitors purchased his properties and one of them converted his beautiful Imambara into a temple in Chatai Mohal locality. The British also harassed women and children of their family. As a result, they went to Nepal and returned to Kanpur after proclamation of Aam Maafi by Queen Victoria. The district authorities did not allow them to visit the grave of Nawab Azam or raise any structure of any memory. 

Ironically, the Independence on August 15, 1947 did not bring any cheers to his descendants. Indian bureaucracy also rejected their demand for installation of a statue in memory of Nawab Azam near banyan tree. When they mounted pressure, the Indian government asked them to bear half of the cost. His grandson Nawab Aijaz refused pension in protest but his effort    failed to evoke any response. Kanpur still has no memorial for the martyred Nawab and lacks even awareness about him. Nawab Azam Ali was not only a great patriot but also an azadar of eminence. He built an impressive Imambara and mosque. He hosted grand Majalis during Muharram. He also built a Karbala in Colonelganj from where a number of processions either originate or terminate during Ayaam-E-Aza.the Karbala is named after him. It is being maintained well by local Imamis but no initiative is being taken to mark the site of his grave with any identification symbol or plaque. Nawab surely deserves recognition of his bravery and sacrifice in Independent India and Kanpurites in general and Imamis in particular need to take up his cause. The emotional bond between Hindu queen  of Tirwa and Amjad Ali Khan should also be highlighted as a model of communal harmony at a time when India is facing the wrath of sectarians in certain pockets. (This article Has been contributed on the occasion of India’s independence day today as a tribute to Nawab Azam Ali Khan and his son. References available on request.)