A Rare Photograph of Bijapur
Dr.Mazhar Naqvi
An article about ‘Pani
or Hussaini’ Mahal forms paert of the blog already. In that post. the history leading
to the construction of palace dedicated to the memory of martyrs of Karbala was
covered. The beautiful surroundings and description of Muharram related
ceremonies too were discussed. However, much was not written about façade and
art motifs of the palace. This needs to be done now, for façade walls eulogize
the Holy Prophet and his progeny. These walls are divided into five sections, symbolizing
the Holy Panjatan i.e. Hazrat Muhammad, Maula Ali,Bibi Fatima,Imam Hussain and
martyr of humanity Imam Hussain. The walls, called as pillars by Mulla Nusrati,
have art motifs from the bottom to top, the
first contains door, the second three jars for sprinkling of scent, the third
has a muskmelon, the fourth and fifth contain the flowers, buds and creepers.
To quote verbatim,Dr.Abdul Ghani Imratwale, an authority on the history of Adilshahi dynasty “The
motifs undoubtedly denote the description of Paradise. The doors considered to
be of Paradise, as a soon as the entrants entered the scent is sprinkled
through the jars, further they get the fruits and at last they live forever in
the gardens. In the inner-sides of the front walls opposite to each other are
bearing three Cyprus trees; one tall in the centre and two small flanked on
both sides.The
Cyprus tree is known for its height and towering outlook by which it excels
other trees. It is also referred as a tree of coquetry (Saru-e-Naaz). In the
poetical context it is noted that it has no branches, fruits, etc. as in the
case of other trees, and therefore it stands without burden and altogether free
from any sorrow whatsoever. A note of interest is that the tree does not appear
among the trees of paradise. The Cyprus trees on the walls of the Husaini Mahal
probably indicate that the martyrs viz. Hazrat Ali (in the centre) and his two
sons Imam Hasan and Imam Husain stood on either sides. They all appear high and
towering, free from the sorrow and grief of the world and their souls resting
in peace without any sort of burden. Further, the front elevation of the first
inner wall and both flanks of the central arch are pregnant with the art
objects like flowers, vases, muskmelon, jars of scent or wine, a tray of fruits
of banana, mangos, etc. It appears the description of paradise once again
repeated. The arch is projected as a Mihrab (niche) of the mosque. The spaces
between the art motifs are filled with Persian epigraphs. Another motif on the
arch of southern wall looks like three Alams, one over other. Thus it is
presumed that three Cyprus trees, three jars, three vases and three Alams are
the insignia for Hazrat Ali, Imam Hasan and Imam Husain.”
The
epigraphs on the elevation of the inner walls contain the Persian poetry in
praise of the Imams and the martyrs. The details are as under:
In the right line of the left flank, from top to bottom;
1. Muhammad (the
Prophet) is the head of Prophets, the trustworthy messenger and friend of God
2. To the extent He
(the Prophet) is the fountain head of seven and four 14
3. (Hazrat) Fatima 15
is light of Prophet’s eyes
4. (She) was what a
celebrated wife of king of the braves, Hazrat Ali
5. (Imam) Hasan was
selected from God, (he) was Imam of the creatures
In the left line of the right flank, from bottom to top;
6. From him the moon
of religion received light and brilliance
7. (Imam) Husain is a
leader of religion, he is a king of Karbala
8. (He) is light of
eyes of the Prophet, a friend of God
9. Ali, son of (Imam)
Husain is a strong and powerful Imam
10.
This
hemistich is broken, and not readable
In the right line of the right flank, from bottom to
top;
11.
(Imam)
Baqar is a sky of reward and protector of religion
12.
The
astray seek path from him
13.
From
the learned (Imam) Jafar Sadiq
14.
In
the world, entire religious knowledge came to be manifested
15.
This hemistich is
broken, and not readable
In the left line of the left flank, from top to bottom;
16.
The
king of world and religion Muhammad Taqi
17.
Whose
doors of virtues are equivalent to sky
18.
Ali
Naqi is a famous guide or counsel of sanity
19.
(He)
is Imam of the world and king of the treasure of pearls
Between the lines on the top of the right flank;
20.
Hasan
Askari is chief of the braves (and courageous)
21.
From
him the virtuous get honour and prestige
Between the lines on the top of the left flank;
22.
World’s
Imam, a man of (Holy) Quran
23.
(Imam)
Mahdi (who) guides the men and jinnee and follows the right path
In the bottom of left flank:
24.
It
has been written by the slave of the court Naqi-al-Husaini, AH. 1081
(corresponding to AD. 1670)
In the bottom of right flank:
25.
The
verses are of Hazrat Ali Adil Shah Ghazi (the victorious)
26.
We
laid the foundation of this House at the pious moment for the reason that
(they) ever dwelt in bastion of gaiety. Over it six digits are added and
stated, ‘May the place of bastion of dignity be auspicious AH. 1080
(corresponding to AD. 1669) Abul Muzaffar
Ali Adil Shah.
The supra
inscriptions state that the structure of Husaini Mahal had been erected in the
reign of Ali Adil Shah-II in 1669, and after three years, in 1672 the king
passed away.
Reference : “THE
PANI MAHAL/HUSAINI MAHAL OF ADIL SHAHI BIJAPUR; DEFINITIONS AND USAGES –by Dr. Abdul
Gani Imaratwale.He is renowned scholar of History of Bijapur.
Image Courtesy Google/www.Kamat.com