Hindu 'Azadars' of Muslim Imam

By Prof.Mazhar Naqvi

The prominent participation of Hindus in observance of Muharram ceremonies(Azadari) is the most striking feature of azadari in India. .  Imam Husain’s great sacrifice is remembered across the globe but it is commemorated with matchless emotional intensity in India. Each year during Muharram, Hindus join Muslims in lamenting the martyrdom of Imam Husain, by sponsoring or taking part in rituals and tazia (replica of the mausoleum of Imam Husain in Karbala) processions.
Hindus observe Muharram ceremonies with great devotion. Varanasi, the holiest city of Hinduism, has a mixed tradition of commemorating Muharram .Varanasi’s Shivala Mohalla boasts of the most artistic tazia, and a replica of Zuljinah( Imam Hussein’s brave horse}.Devotees form bee line to offer milk and Jalebi to Zuljinah in a traditional ritual in many cities in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The Hindu rulers of Vijayanagar in Deccan (southern India) built wonderful Imambaras during the 16th and 17th centuries. They even wore the black garments of mourning during the first 10 days of the month of Muharram. Muharram processions during the 18th and 19th centuries were taken out by the Hindus in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra with rath (Hindu chariots) shaped tazias. The ex-rulers like Scindias of Gwalior, the Holkars of Indore, the Geakwads of Baroda and the Bhonsle of Kolhapur observe Muharram rituals with great devotion even till now.

In Lucknow, a large number of Hindus participate in the ‘azadari’ processions. Many Hindus fast with Muslims on Yaum-E- Ashura while others distribute sherbet (sweet juices) and iced milk to those participating in the Muharram processions. Some Hindus even walk on fire with  chants of ‘Ya Husain’ on their lips. Lucknow  presents an unparalleled example of Hindu-Muslim unity in this historical city.
Hindus run several ‘anjumans’ (religious organizations) in Lucknow and  take out ‘azadari’ processions and organize ‘majlis’ (mourning sessions where heart-rending tales of Imam Husain’s martyrdom are narrated) throughout Muharram.
Lucknow also boasts of several Hindu ‘imambaras’ (mausoleums). One such is the ‘Kishnu Khalifa ka Imambara’ in Bashiratganj locality in the old city area. The Imambara, established in 1880, is famous for its Hindu ‘azadars’ (devotees). ‘Anjuman-e-Hind-e-Abbasia’ and ‘Anjuman Haaye Sakeena’ are outfits famous  for participation of Hindus in large number  in all the mourning rites associated with Muharram in large numbers.

The Sharma Hindu families have been taking out the Tazia procession on Muharram for more than 120 years in some districts of Madhya Pradesh. The ritual began in 1882 when the Raikwar family of the Vidisha town began preparing and taking out Tazias on the ninth day of Muharram. Since then, the Raikwar’s Tazia leads the procession of mourners on Muharram. Like several Muslim families , the Raikwar family members, too, set aside their daily chores to grieve for the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, Imam Husain (A.S.), and his 72 companions who were brutally killed on the banks of the river Euphrates in Karbala (Iraq) in 61 A.H. In  Sehore, another Madhya Pradesh town , Hindu family has been taking  tazia procession for more than 100 years.

Leading English daily “The Hindu” had  reported in its edition dated  31 January, 2007  that a large number of Hindus participated in the `Tazia’ procession along with Muslims at Pulimankulam in Tamil Nadu . The procession was led by V. Nayaz Ahmed Bijili and H. Habeebur Rahman Bijili, hereditary trustees of the Athangarai Pallivasal Dargah. Hindus from Sokkalingapuram, Urumankulam, Tiruvamabalapuram and Avudayalpuram, marched towards the `chavadi’, where the `Panjas’ were installed, and offered prayers. Two hindus even performed firework ( AAg Ka Matam).One of them Mr. Veerabahu, has been doing Aag ka Matam for the past 30 years.

In Kahmir, a Brahmin tribe ‘ Mohiyals’ takes part in Muharram observance with great devotion and fervor. They believe that their ancestors had   fought with Imam Husayn (A.S.) and avenged his  killing by uprooting  the Umayyads. Later, they believe to have traveled back to settle in Kashmir via Afghanistan.
Even in Orrisa, hundreds of Hindus joined Muslims in observing Muharram in a village to end a 25-year-old conflict over the ownership of a burial ground. Hindus and Muslims in Peteipur village had clashed many times over 1.75 acres of land that the former wanted for a cremation ground. The Muslims wanted the plot for a Muslim graveyard. More than a hundred villagers participated in the procession on 10th Muharram  to mark the end of dispute. The State  Education Minister , who belongs to the region, and Lok Sabha member Brahamananda Panda also joined the procession.
The most interesting case of Hindu veneration of Imam Husain is to be found among the small Husaini Brahmin sect, located mostly in Punjab state in India, also known as Dutts.They believe that their ancestor named Rahab had  developed close relations with Imam Husain. In the battle of Karbala, Rahab fought with  Imam  Yazid. His sons, too, joined him, and most of them were killed. Imam Husain, seeing Rahab’s love for him, bestowed upon him the title of sultan or king, and told him to go back to India. It is because of this close bond between  Rahab and Imam Husain that they christened themselves as Husaini Brahmins..

In Andhra Pradesh and telangana, the Hindus  observe Muharram every year with great devotion and surpass the enthusiasm of their north Indian counterparts . People of all castes are encouraged to participate and the caste differences so rigid among them are forgotten. They called Muharam as Deen Govind. They even practice the ceremony of becoming Fakir.On the fifth night, a procession Panje ka Pitar is taken out in Goundu Village .Another village called Solapur in Rai Durg Taluq gained prominence as a famous Telugu poet Ramanna of the village wrote number of poems describing and eulogizing Muharram. In one such poem he writes.
Padda la pandu ga rawe, Peer la pandu ga rawe (Come, the festival of the great man). The people of the Solapur village, even abstained from eating meat during the Muharram days. Surapalli is yet another village where a large number of people assemble to observe  Muharram . Balaiah, a poet of the village , used to write  poems in praise of Imam and his companions and recite them every day to a large audience during Muharam. One of his  poems starts with these lines “Allah ke namanu anara,devata la devama vachurao (Recite in the name of Allah, Devata will bless you)”.It is interesting to note that even telgu women  wrote poems to pay their homage to the martyrs of Karbala. Three such women, who gained prominence were  Imam Aka, Vanoor Bee, and Gateema. Vanoor Bee in one of her poems gave us the reasons for her devotion. She wrote” if you speak truth Bibi Fatima will bless.”There are even Telugu folk songs written to pay homage to the martyrs of Karbala.

Muharram ceremonies in India have served served to unite the Muslims in India as well as bring the non-Muslims closer to them. The Taziya, Alams and Mehndi attract the attention and devotion of Hindus and are very popular among them. They visit the Taziyas for darshan (homage) and make mannats (vows) and give offerings. In India the Muslims and Hindus are united in seeking solutions through the Taziyas. Apart from the Taziyas, the Muharram ceremonies always increase inter-communal interaction.