Tazia of Maharani Laxmi Bai

Maharani Laxmi Bai's Tazia in Jhansi

By Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

The love for Imam Hussain in the heart of Maharani Laxmi Bai whose 180^th birth anniversary will be celebrated with much fanfare on November 19, 2019, has so far remained unknown to history. Known to the world as warrior queen who opposed tooth and nail the British Empire during the first war of India’s struggle for independence, Maharani had ordered the introduction of Taziadari in front of her palace in Jhansi after her marriage with Maharaja Gangadhar Rao in 1851.The custom still continues “Bai Sahib Ka Tazia” leads Muharram processions in Jhansi.

Described as ‘Joan Arch of the East’, Laxmi Bai was born in temple town of Varanasi as Manikarnika in 1828.She belonged to a reputed but poverty stricken Maratha Brahamin family. She lost her mother Bhageerathi Sapre at the age of 4 and her father Moro Pant relocated himself in Bithoor where Peshva lived in a sprawling palace after being asked to leave Pune. Pant found employment in the court of Peshva Baji Rao in Bithoor about 22 kms from Kanpur City in Uttar Pradesh province of India. Accessibility to royal household enabled Manikarnika, fondly called as Manu, to spend time with Nana Rao, adopted son of   Peshva and Tantya Tope, one of the greatest army general India ever produced.

She was brave and soon expressed her interest in horse riding, fencing and wrestling. She also learnt Persian,Sanskrit and little English as well. She practiced in Akhara(Court) and fought bouts with male wrestlers during annual ‘Dangal’ of Jageshwar Temple in the holy month of Sawan. Once she earned patting from Peshwa for defeating a male wrestler.Peshva liked her too much and called her “Chabilee’due to her jovial nature.

At the age of 15,she tied nuptial knot with the then ruler of Jhansi Gangadhar Rao. She gave birth to a child but he died after four month. Loss of the son left Gangadhar depressed and dejected and he also died .Rani also mourned and adopted Damodar Rao as son. She was aware about Imam Hussain and Taziadari as the first Imambara was built at Bithoor by Chakledar Almas  Ali Khan during the reign of Nawab Asafuddaula in late 18^th century. She is believed to have participated in Muharram rituals held at Imambara while living in Bithoor.Even Peshva is stated to have been a regular visitor to Imambara. It should not surprise anyone because Imam Hussain has been quite popular among Marathis. Almost all Maratha kingdoms ensured Tazia processions within the territory under their jurisdiction and even extended royal patronage.

Hence, Maharani like a true devotee of Imam also introduced Taziadari after becoming queen. She used to stay at Rani Mahal near the famous fort of Jhansi. She got erected a platform outside her palace and got a Tazia placed during Muharram. Since then,Tazia has been an integral part of Muharram processions in Jhansi. Considered as a symbol of Hindu-Muslim Unity, Tazia remains source of attractionfor devotees who call it as ‘Bai Sahib Ka Tazia’-a shorter version of Laxmi Bai.

Rani offered floral tributes to Tazia on behalf of kingdom and patronized. Tragically, she lost a decisive battle against the forces of British Commander Hugh Rose at the age of 23.While she is remembered as the warrior queen who gave her life for the sake of freedom ,her Tazia is too revered and allowed to lead Muharram processions as a mark of respect to her and also as her love for the martyr of humanity. (References available on request.Photo Courtesy-Google Images).