Mir Alam Tank
Dr.Mazhar Naqvi
Mir Alam, one of the prominent Prime Ministers Hyderabad ever produced is best remembered for the water reservoir or tank he built for supply of water to southern part of the city. But he should also be remembered for composing ‘Dah Majlis’(Ten Majlises) for popularizing Muharram ceremonies among those not proficient with Persian or chaste Urdu. He composed the manuscript in 1781.
Mir Alam served as the Prime Minister of Nizam Sikandar Jah from 1804 and 1808.He composed his work in the form of ‘Qasida’ and it is believed that his preoccupation with state affairs refrained him from composing any other Shia hagiography. His work from Indian context the first of its kind after 17th century ‘Karbal Katha’.
He was born to Syed raza who had moved to Deccan from Shustar region of Iran. Raza settled a few metres away from Charminar in an area popularly known as Irani Gali or Burqa Gali now among the Hyderabadis. He studied Persian deeply and developed a great devotion towards Ahlebait from his childhood.Alam began his as a vakil in Nizam’s court and rose to prominence when he got the chance to lead forces against Tipu Sultan in 1799.
In his composition, Alam has followed the pattern of ‘Rauzut Shohda’-a 16th century Iranian work that has served as the basis of Karbala literature produced in India be it Hyderabad or Lucknow –two prominent centers of Azadari in India. Dah Majlis is known for the description of the marriage of Hazrat Qasim and Janab-E-Fatima Kubra. Mourners all over the world take out mehndi procession 7th night of first ten days of Muharram to commemorate the wedding. Even though a number of Shia scholars have repeatedly questioned the authenticity of rituals associated with the tradition, the popularity of the Mehndi processions and Majalis have not diminished.
He is also credited for developing a bustling market which is still functional and known as Mir Alam Ki Mandi. After leading an eventful life,he died in 1808.Mir Alam lies buried in Daira Mir Momin-the oldest graveyard of Hyderabad.
References : Available on request
Photo Courtesy:Google/Indian Express/Serish Nanisetti
I want to contact you it's very important pls tell how to contact
ReplyDelete