Art Motifs Eulogizing Holy Prophet & Holy Imams In Bijapur

 

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