Forgotten Liberator of Bara Imambara

Bara Imambara that remained Under the Possession of British for 27 years before its liberation by Syed Muhammad Ibrahim Sahab.

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Bara or Asafi Imambara of Luck now is a world famous shrine. Tourists from all parts of the world flock in large number to see its vaulted structure surrounded by well laid gardens. As a builder of Bara Imambara, Nawab Asaf- Ud- Daula also needs no introduction. But liberator of Bara Imambara Syed Muhammad Ibrahim surely remains unknown to world. It is ironical as well as unfortunate. The efforts of Maulana deserves due acknowledgement as he had to fight for 27 years for the release of the majestic Imambara and the mosques adjacent to it. His achievement becomes more important if one looks at the chain of events and vengeance of the British   after recapture of Lucknow in 1857.

It is a well known fact of the history that British had lost Lucknow to Indian soldiers under the leadership of Begum Hazrat Mahal and her associates. She had proclaimed her son Birjis Qadr as the new ruler of the Awadh. After facing stiff resistance, the British were able to recapture Lucknow. They had to overcome spirited fight put up by Indians at Alambagh, Sikandar Bagh and Qadam Rasul to reach residency. Then they forgot all their decency and deprecated, destroyed  and demolished a number of religious structures. As Indians were led by van Imami Begum Hazrat Mahal, they targeted specifically Imambaras. Since Bara Imambara was the most impressive and a symbol of Imami faith, British exhibited utmost disrespect to it. They turned the Imambara built by Nawab Asaf- Ud-Daula to generate employment during the famine of 1784 into an ‘Astabal’. Soldiers of East India Company walked on its floors with shoes. The British also stopped the performance of Namaz and solemnization of Muharram ceremonies at the Imambara.

Under these circumstances , Maulana Muhammad Ibrahim took up the issue of Imambara’s release. He began his efforts after inheriting  the role of Lucknow’s Peshnamaz around 1868.As Bara Imambara was under the clutches of the British, Masjid Tehsin Ali Khan-built with the leftover  material of Bara Imambara, was being used for holding  congregational prayers. Maulana used his position to safeguard Imami interests against all odds through scholarship, publication and pastoral work. He was a prolific writer and had command over religious matters. He was an issuer of fatwa and his office used to entertain questions from all parts of United Provinces. His simple life and vast knowledge earned him respect from all. He carried out hios religious duties as Peshnamaz and protected muharram rituals at a time when the ruling British regime was keeping such activities under fist control and bent upon curtailing their regal touch associated with processions.

By portraying himself as a reasonable religious leader and scholar, Maulana was in a position to initiate a meaningful dialogue with the authorities by 1880.His persistence and efforts bore results when Bara Imambara was released in 1984 much to the delight of local residents. Since then, Imambara has been serving as the royal initiator of Muharram ceremonies in Lucknow.  (References available on request)