Fakir Majnu Shah's Kothri in Makanpur-India

Kothri(Room) of Martyr Fakir Majnu Shah in Makanpur 

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi 

The 'Kothri' (Room) in the above photograph is of great historic significance, for it was here the first freedom fighter of India Baba Majnu Shah had spent his last days.The 'Kothri' forms part of the residential complex of a reputed landlord of Makanpur Mir Syed Hasan. Its roof  had collapsed in 2013 but Saleha Begum,daughter -in-law of Mir Sahib got it repaired.It is looked after by the youngest daughter of  the Zamindar Tajdar Jahan Begum who stays in Makanpur that is famous as the headquarters of Madariya Sufi Order.The shrine of order's founder Hazrat Badi Uddin Zinda Shah Madar is one of the most beautiful and sprawling structures.   

Majnu Shah was also a fakir of madariya order.he was born in Mewat and his original name of Abu Talib.He was also a great devotee of Ahle-Bait like all Madariya fakirs or Malangs,When he became leader of the order in Bengal and Bihar, Majnu Shah initiated an aggressive campaign against the British when they tried to put certain restrictions on the practices being followed by Fakirs and Sanyasis.The victory at the Battle of Plassy in 1757 had given confidence to East India Company to interfere in the religious rituals of  wandering Fakirs and Sanyasis.But a surprise was in store for them when under the dynamic leadership of  Majnu Shah Fakirs and Sanyasis offered stiff resistance in Bengal,Bihar and Assam.They attacked British settlements,looted government treasury and punished pro-British landlords for over two decades.

In January,1789,Majnu Shah received a bullet injury in a battle.He managed to ditch his pursuers and reached Makanpur where he reportedly received protection from the ancestors of Mir Syed Hasan and spent his last days in the small Kothri outside the main residence of the Zamindar.The British never got a wind about his whereabouts and came to know about his death much later. Family of Mir Syed Hasan put Kothri for any use as a mark of respect to the martyr Malang and ensured its upkeep.Over three decades ago, the family started keeping the structure and coverings of a'Turbatwala  Tazia' and other relics associated with observance of Muharram ceremonies.They did so perhaps at the behest of a Malang Changga who used to prepare Tazia after suddenly appearing on any day of first ten days of Muharram.

It is ironical that Indians are not much aware about Baba Majnu Shah.At government level also, there has been no effort to erect any memorial for Majnu Shah.representations made by Madariya Sufi Foundation have also failed to evoke any response.Even State governments of Bengal and Bihar have also done nothing despite being martyr's land of action.Bangladesh government has however done a lot to preserve his memory.he is considered as a national Hero and prestigious government projects are named after him.A movie has also been produced on him.But he remains unsung in India and have been overshadowed by those who fought against the British much later.(References available on request.Photo Blogger's Collection)