Piece of Imam Hussain's Sword in Bijapur !

 

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

For want of authentic research, it remains a little known fact that a piece of Imam Hussain’s sword is part of the famous Hussaini Alam (Standard) of Bijapur. On the basis of interview with the caretaker of the Alam, Dr. Sadiq Naqvi who has done monumental work on Azadari and Ashurkhanas of Deccan, it is said that the piexce of the sword with which Imam pushed back Yazidi soldiers whenever they attempted to reach near his tents (Khemagah) reached Bijapur during the reign of Ali Adil Shah. It was placed as central Jeebe( Called Bijli in local parlance) of the Hussaini Alam.The holy relic was not the piece of the sacred sword Zulfiqar but from another sword, the account of the renowned historian has clarified.

The Alam is a metal pinnacle shaped like a hand, representing the  eminence of Panjantanpak viz. Prophet Muhammad, Hazrat Ali, Hazrat Fatima, Imam Hasan and Imam Husain. Over the front and back of the clip that holds the flanking and central Jeebes is engraved with the Kalma.The centre of the Alam has perforated inscription amidst the designs of flowers and creepers. It contains five lines of legends. The first verse of a Chapter Ikhlas of the Holy Quran finds place in the top.The names of Holy Five appears more than once in the Alam.                                        

The historic Alam figures in the couplet No-30 in the description of the Aashura in Ali Namah of Mulla Nusrati-the court poet of Ali Adil Shah. The legendary poet hints that the king made a vow to organize the Majlis (gathering) of elegies every year and  would erect the Husaini Alam. He fulfilled his vow after scoring victories and outsmarting his enemies. The existence of a piece of martyr of humanity Imam Hussain at Bijapur has failed to become a popular lore as no contemporary or near contemporary record supports the claim of caretaker.

Serious research work can unravel the mystery. The arrival of the holy relic should not be surprising at Bijapur.It is an established fact that Ali Adil Shah-II was a great devotee of Imam Hussain. His Kuliyat (poetical composition) contain verses dedicated to Imam Husain.

Moreover, it is also recorded in the history that  King Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah had received Naal Mubarak(a piece of the shoe of Imam Hussain’s horse) in his regime. The relic is preserved at Ashurkhana Naal Mubarak in Hyderabad.

References available on request.

Image Courtesy Google