Interior View of Dargah Hazrat Meeran Khing Sawar
Dr.Mazhar Naqvi
Dargah of Hazrat Meeran
Syed Hussain Khingsawar Mashhadi is a popular shrine of an Imami martyr on Taragarh
hill near Ajmer-the city of Khwaja Ghareeb Nawaz. Hazrat Meeran Shah traced his
lineage to Shah-E-Khorasan Imam Rida and ranks among the early propagators of true
Islam in North India. He was martyred along with his companions by non- believers
for preaching Islam in 1201 and his last rites are said to have been performed
by Khwaja Ghareeb Nawaz whose magnificent Dargah is also at the foothills of Taragarh
and ranks among the most popular place for pilgrimage in Indian Sub-Continent. Another
legend says that Khwaja Syed Ali Hamadani who was sent to Hazrat Meeran to
preach Islam in Gujarat arranged for the burial of the martyr on his return to
Ajmer.
History reveals that Qutb- Uddin- Aibak, the first Sultan of
Delhi Sultanate had stationed Hazrat Meeran as the presiding officer of Taragarh Fort and
its adjoining areas. During his stay at Taragarh, he attracted a large number of
devotees through his pious, simple but generous lifestyle. He served humanity
by taking care of medicinal needs of those stricken with leprosy and epilepsy. His
noble deeds and bravery propelled Meerat, Cheeta and Deswali communities to
embrace Islam. His growing popularity caused much heart- burning among the
non-Believers. They twice made attempt recapture Taragarh Fort that was one by
Shah Meeran. But on both occasion their bid was foiled by Khingsawar. The raiders
however succeeded in their attempt on 18th Rajab and martyred Shah
Meeran while he was offering ‘Asr’ prayers.
Though Shah Meeran attained martyrdom in 1201, his shrine earned popularity
during Mughal period. Mughal Noble Ismail Quli Khan’s 19.5 meter high and 5 meter
wide gate is the dominant feature of Khing Sawar’s Dargah. Surmounted by two
chattris, the gate of Dargah is pierced by a single open entrance, whose top
terminates in an exaggerated ogee point. Rectangular band of Quranic verse also
frames the entrance Dargah. For over eight centuries, the dome over the holy Mazar
(Grave) of Hazrat Meeran remained somewhat similar to the one that adorns the Mazar-e-Mubarak
of Khwaja Ghareeb Nawaz still. But in 1992, the managing committee decided to
develop the main enclosure of Dargah on the pattern of Imam Rida’s shrine in
Mashhad. As a sequel to the endeavor, the dome over Hazrat Meeran’s grave appears
to be a replica of Imam Rida’s Shrine.
It is recorded that Sher shah Suri who had ousted Akbar’s father
Humayun from India, had also paid a visit to Dargah after defeating King Maldeo
of Marwar. The scarcity of water at Taragarh hill greatly perturbed him and he
ordered the construction of Chashma (spring) Hafiz Jamali. The traces of Chashma
are visible even today. Akbar reportedly visited Meeran Saheb’s Dargah in 1570
AD and directed Ismail Quli Khan to raise the imposing gate of Dargah. Emperor Jahangir
visited Dargah in 1614 AD. Empress NurJahan also accompanied him. The couple
found the place so tranquil that they spent five years at the foothill of Taragarh
after getting a spring (Chashma Nur) and Baradari erected there. Aitbar Khan, Subedar of Ajmer, during Jahangir’s regime
offered a very attractive’ Pinjra’ for Mazar of Hazrat Meeran out of his respect
for him.
Dargah also enjoyed considerable patronage during the rule of
Maratha over Ajmer. Maharaja Daulat Rao Scindia visited Dargah to pray for the
peace and prosperity in his dominions. Guman Rao Scindia, a Maratha noble, built
a beautiful courtyard at the shrine after he was blessed with a son as a
response to his prayer at the grave of Hazrat Meeran. Aingla Rao not only paid
a visit to the shrine but also ordered construction of an attractive building. Maharani
Bija Bai also built a courtyard in 1225 Hijri to show her respect to the great
martyr. Vitthal Das, a powerful Minister of shah Jahan, Maharaja Ratan Singh
Merta, Nawab of Junagarh, Nawab Mulla Madari of Gwalior and Nawab of Hyderabad Sindh
also held Hazrat Meeran in a great esteem and constructed new edifices at the Dargah.
At present, Sikh owner of a U.K based export house is renovating the main
enclosure of Dargah with beautiful brass work.
Dargah complex also contains the grave of Hazrat Meeran’s favorite
horse Khing. In Persian, Khing means white horse. Khing too was fatally wounded
in the attack. As Khing was much attached to Hazrat Meeran, he too was buried
near the grave of his martyr. It is incumbent upon devotees to visit the grave
of Khing with flower and pulses before presenting themselves before the Mazar of
Syed Meeran.Dargah also becomes hub of Muharram ceremonies every year and Karbala adjacent to sahrine is also ne of the most picturesque in India. (The article is based on the inputs provided by Janab Sagheer
Abbas Saheb, secretary of the managing committee of Taragarh shrine. The
blogger has also referred to Hindi booklet titled ‘Shuaa-e-Khing Sawar by Haji
Syed Shahid Hussain for additional details.)
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