Imam Hussain's Shrine on Asia's First Hill Fort

Rauza Imam Hussain at Taragarh-India

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Taragarh, believed to be the first hill fort of Asia, now has a majestic shrine of Hazrat Imam Hussain. The construction of the shrine was underway for the past few years but its completion took place a few days before the arrival of Muharram-2015.The fort that offers a bird’s eye view of Ajmer-the city of Khwaja Ghareeb Nawaz, has traditionally been famous for the Dargah of Syed Meeran Khing Sawar. He was stationed as governor of the fort and martyred in 1201 by locals who were defeated by him during the reign of Qutub- Uddin Aibak. He was a great admirer of Ahle-bait and his descendants have been living on the hill for more than 800 years. They took care of Syed Meeran’s grave in most trying conditions for about 370 years. The descendants’ braved lack of basic amenities like water and eatables till the arrival of Mughal Emperor Akbar in Ajmer in 1570.he not only developed Dargah of Khwaja Sahib but also ordered construction of Syed Meeran’s shrine at Taragarh. Maratha rulers also expanded the shrine when Ajmer became under their suzerainty in 18^th century.

Khwaja Sahib himself was a great devotee of Imam Hussain. He encouraged Muharram ceremonies among his followers after selecting Ajmer as his permanent abode. The descendants of Syed Meeran also did likewise. It is evident from the existence of Jhalra on the hill. The term is used for a water-reservoir where tazias are immersed on Yaum-e-Ashura. A Jhalra also exists adjacent to Dargah of Khwaja Sahib in Ajmer and is used for immersion of Tazias. A number of Muharram rituals are observed inside Dargah complex in Ajmer. Similarly, such ceremonies were observed at the shrine of Syed Meeran and the tradition is still continuing.

The idea of having a Rauza (shrine) of imam Hussain cropped after the successful renovation of Dargah Syed Meeran on the pattern of Imam Rida’s magnificent shrine in Mashhad (Iran) in 1992.The success encouraged the managing committee to begin construction of Rauza imam Hussain. They erected it as there was no such shrine in Rajasthan. The most popular shrine of Imam Hussain is in Jaora town of district Ratlam district of Indian Madhya Pradesh state. It is called as Hussain Tekri and famous as a spiritual healing centre. Another prominent Hussain Tekri is in Kanodar in Gujarat. Another replica of Imam’s shrine exists in Karbala Talkatora of Lucknow. The committee decided to replicate the model of Lucknow on Taragarh. Thus started the construction of shrine adjacent to Karbala and Jhalra located about 500 meters away from Dargah of Syed Meeran. It took more than seven years to complete the Rauza. Allah and Masoomeen ensured availability of funds during the construction to the extent that the work never stopped. Rauza also has a beautiful Zari Mubarak. The shrine is indeed a visual treat. It captures the attention of a visitor in view of its golden domes and minarets. The shrine attracts a large number of devotees. Whosoever visits Taragarh makes it a point to have Ziarat of Rauza. It has not only added grandeur and solemnity to the Dargah of Meeran sahib l but also become an added attraction for devotees from all walks of life and faiths. The managing committee is now trying to decorate the interior of Rauza with Quranic inscriptions on the pattern of Imam Hussain’s actual shrine in Karbala in Iraq. May Allah grant them success in their endeavour? Amen.(The article is based on the inputs given by Mr. Sagheer Abbas, Secretary of Dargah Committee, Taragarh).