Protector of 'Najaf and Karbala' - Oudh Bequest

An Old Photograph of Najaf

A Rare Picture of Karbala

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Like Khwajasaras (Court Eunuchs), the role of Oudh (Awadh) Bequest in protecting the holy shrines of Najaf and Karbala has also remained a subject of minimal study. Except for the work of Meir Litvak, other historians have overlooked the great role played by Oudh Bequest in not only protecting the shrine of Maula Ali and Imam Hussain but also in preserving Imami seminaries after the plunder of Karbala and Najaf between 1801 and 1810 AD. The bequest had originated from the third Oudh loan extracted by East India Company  from King Ghazi Uddin Haider for Nepal War in 1825.The principal of 10 million was never to be repaid and a fixed yearly interest of 5 per cent was to be applied by the government of India in perpetuity to specific purposes. The stipulated terms and conditions also included monthly allowances for life of Rs.10000, Rs.2500, Rs.1100 and Rs.1000 to four women namely Mubarak Mahal, Sultan Mariam Begum, Mumtaz Mahal and Sarfaraz Mahal. Each woman was also given the power to bequeath one third of her allowance to any purpose she desired. The remaining two thirds together with any portion of the one third if bequeathed by any will from the beneficiaries was to be divided equally and transferred to the Mujtahids residing in Najaf and Karbala for distribution to deserving persons ….. acquirement of religious merit. The bequest became functional after the death of two widows of Ghazi Uddin Haider in April and June 1849.

During the first fifty years of its operation, the bequest channeled more than 6 million rupees with Murtuza Ansari being the first recipient in Najaf. The amount offered much needed economic relief to thousands of Ulema families and students who were living in abject poverty after the repeated raids carried out by Wahabis in early 19^th century. The Oudh Bequest also provided means of sustenance to thousands of attendants at the shrines in the twin holy cities. The 1854 distribution agreement reveals  some 1000 members of established families of Ulema ,one thousand Syeds and 600 students as beneficiaries at Karbala alone. It also puts the figure of 1200 students as beneficiaries of the bequest in Najaf. The economic significance of the bequest could be gauged from the words of Murtuza Ansari “ we accepted the funds as many distinguished Ulema families had been reduced to destitution and the need to enhance traditional Imami schooling in view of Wahabi challenge demanded  resources”. It is also worth mentioning here that Ansari withdrew himself from distribution after realizing that the British were using bequest as a ploy to buy influence of Ulema to further their political interest in the region. It is not a hidden secret that the British patronized Wahabis against the weal ottoman empire that has been traditionally been maintaining the holy shrines. Hence, Ansari’s action should be perceived as fully justified. But unfortunately his stand failed to evoke desired response and the British continued their policy with ease. The British appointed Syed Ali as Ansari’s successor.  

Being Imami by faith, the Oudh rulers, their ministers and courtiers always tried to offer financial assistance to the institutions and people associated with them at Najaf and Karbala. Before the bequest, it is recorded in history that between 1786 and 1844 over Rs.1 million were sent to Karbala and Najaf from Oudh for public welfare projects such as the construction of ‘Hindiya’ Canal for brining water from Euphrates to the shrine cities.(Reference available on request)