Taziadars of 57 Hindu Villages of Bihar

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Residents of as many as 57 villages without Muslim population take out Tazia processions every year during Muharram to keep alive what they call as Ganga- Jamuni Tahzeeb ( Composite Culture).It seems surprising, for Bihar had recorded several cases of mob lynching in the recent past.

Bhatvigaha is a village with over 1200 inhabitants but none of them is Muslim. Yet Muharram has not lost its sheen. Residents not only take part in Tazia procession but also prepare it. They sit close to Tazia and recite elegiac poetry throughout the night. Simlarly, Sachin Kumar observes Muharram for full 10-days.He is a government employee but takes leave for Muharram every year to attend Tazia procession in Kushahan village. Locals reveal that the Hindus have been observing Muharram for the past three generations. The tradition began with the birth of a child in the house of Jeth Rajvanshi.

Taziadars include a lady devotee as well. Her name is Sunaina devi and she resides in Jahanabad.Karuna,Beldari and Bhabhnauli villages have Hindu Tazia makers.

Prominent among them are naresh rajvanshi,Satendra and Chotu.Bharsanda,Karigidhi,Sonve,Bandhi,Jehaldeeh,Chaibe and Chonuvigaha are some of the villages where there is no Muslim but Hindus have the permission to take out Tazia preocessions.In Sirdala,100 families have permission for taking out Tazia procession. Of these, only 40 are Muslims.

Historians say that during partition many Muslim families migrated to Pakistan. In pre-partition India, Hindus and Muslims used to observe Muharram and celebrate Durga Puja together. As the custom was being followed for centuries, the villagers remained unperturbed  and decided to carry on Taziadari even after the departure of Muslims.

These villages are probably only pocket of India where residents of 57 villages without a single Muslim soul perform Taziadari and hold Karbala martyrs in great esteem. Nonagenarian Rajvanshi proudly recalls that his elders did not stop Taziadari even when India was in flames as fallout of partition. He clarifies that Imam Hussain was above caste, creed and religion. His very name propels people to resist persecution.”I will not become a Muslim by simply taking part in Taziadari”.

He regrets “ it is not Hindus but Saudi Arabia funded religious preachers who oppose observance of Muharram but we have never paid any heed to their ill-conceived advice.”