'Miraculous'
Muharram of Maler Kotla in Indian Punjab
Imambara Ahsaniya in Malerkotla, Punjab
By Prof.Mazhar Naqvi
The observance of
Muharram ceremonies in the only Muslim dominated pocket of Indian Punjab Malerkotla
is as miraculous as the roots of communal harmony in the town itself. Despite a
very less population of Imamis, the town surpasses even some of the better known
centers of azadari in terms of grandeur, devotion and participation of people
from all walks of life. Devotees of Imam Husain converge at Malerkotla from
other cities during Muharram in large number, for it is perhaps the only city in
Punjab with a fully functional Imambara and two very active Anjumans( Societies
formed to preserve and observe Muharram rituals).
During ‘Ashra-E-Muharram’
(Ten day Mourning), a number of processions are taken out in Malerkotla and the
observance attain its climax on ‘Yaum-E-Ashura’ when a grand procession in
memory of martyrs of Karbala slowly march through the streets from one end of
town to the other amidst the chanting of dirges and self-flagellation as a sing
of mourning. Although only Imamis primarily perform Matam and are the largest
constituent of the procession, non- Muslims also participate in large number. Hindus
especially regard tazias and alams possessing divine powers to fulfill vows. They
encourage their children to pass under tazias and kiss alams for their
protection from all sorts of troubles. Sikhs and Sunnis also did not lag behind
in participation and they along with Hindus also make provisions for providing
beverages and food for the precisionists despite knowing very well that Imamis
don’t eat on Ashura. It is an evidence of the arrival of people from outside
during Muharram in vast numbers and the tendency of the locals to play host to
them.
Malerkotla, a Muslim majority
state was established in 1454 A.D. by Sheikh Sadruuddin-I-Jahan from
Afghanistan and its last ruler Nawab Iftikhar Ali Khan merged it with Indian union
in 1947. Surprisingly, the town city had remained an oasis of peace during the worst
ever riots and bloodshed witnessed as an aftermath of partition. When whole
of Punjab went up in flames, and hundreds of thousands perished at the hands of
their own neighbors, not a single life was lost in Malerkotla. The town also
exhibited sheer tolerance during post-Babri Mosque demolition riots and outbreak
of communal violence in Gujarat after Godhra incident.
The reason for peaceful
co-existence of people of all faiths and communal harmony dates back to 1705, when Mughal
Governor of Sirhind Vazir Khan directed Nawab of Malerkotla Sher Mohammad Khan
to brick alive the sons of Guru Gobind Singh namely, Sahibzada Fateh Singh and Sahibzada Zorawar Singh of 9 and 7 years of age respectively but instead
of complying with the instruction Nawab vehemently protested the execution of the
children. He described their killing against the glorious tenets of Quran. Wazir Khan nevertheless tortured and killed
Guru’s both sons and Nawab walked out of the court in protest. Upon coming to
know about the incident thanked Sher khan and gifted him with his Hukamnama
and Kirpan. The Sikhs always remembered the humanitarian approach of Nawab Sher
and refrained from any kind of bloodshed during the partition riots. As a
sequel to their gesture, Muslims of Malerkotla did not migrate to Pakistan while
other pockets of Indian Punjab witnessed large scale killings and mass departure
of Muslims.
There are five Imambaras in Malerkotla. Of
these, two were erected by Sunni Nawabs. The most elegant Imambara is known as
Sarkari or Riyasati Imambara. Mother of Nawab Sikandar Ali Khan, who died in
1881, had built this Imambara after she was blessed with a son following fulfillment
of her vow to Imam Husain. The building contains a photo of Nawab Ahmad Ali
Khan and Ayatollah Khomeini and enjoyed royal patronage till the merger of Malerkotla
with Indian Union.
Another significant and
well-maintained Imambara is Ahsaniya. it was commissioned by a close relative of Nawab Ahsan Ali Khan who
is also credit with introducing ‘Duldul’(Horse of Imam Husain at Karbala)
procession as a part of muharram ceremonies. . This is located opposite Deewankhana
( place for public audience of rulers).In late 19th century, Khojgan
Biradari, who represent Sheikhs of town, built its own Imambara followed by
construction of an Imambara by Anjuman-e-Husaini recently across from Imambara Khojgan.
In Nawabi era, two
influential members of the royal household Daler Khan and his son Ghulam Husain
Khan gave much patronage to Muharram ceremonies. The efforts of Daler Khan to enhance
Muharram processions by including Duldul and other relics were vehemently
opposed by anti-Ahle-Bait forces and commissioner of Ambala had to intervene to
resolve the issue. His son Ghulam Muhammad Khan went one step further and did
not pay heed to anyone in adding grandeur to azadari rites. He had no
reservation about the reaction of anti- Ahle-Bait activists of Malerkotla. Nawab
Sikandar Ali Khan avoided any disturbance due to over zealousness of Ghulam Muhammad
by determining the route, relics and order of various Muharram processions. Since
then, Muharram has been a peaceful affair and it is observed with solemnity by
all sections of the society. The caretakers of Imambaras proudly reveal that Begum
Mujawwar Nisa, wife of last Nawab Iftikhar Khan, always participated in the Majlises
organized at Riyasati imambara and she used to listen Marsiyas and Nauhas with
rapt attention. Her husband also patronized Imambara by providing financial assistance
for observance of rituals and distribution of Tabarruk. They attribute exciting
participation of Hindus to their firm belief in the effectiveness and
generosity of Imam Husain in granting children to supplicants. One can easily
find Hindu women placing Kheer on the land of Malerkotla Karbala on Ashura as a
mark of fulfillment of their vows by the king of martyrs.
With Nawabs gone and
their palatial palaces reducing to ruins gradually, it is the twin Anjumans
Haideri and Hussainia that are carrying the legacy with full devotion .they
have also undertaken renovations of Imambaras and remain active throughout
Muharram to ensure its observance with traditional Harmony. They are able to
garner support from everyone because of their sincere efforts and Malerkotla
continues to be a great place for azadari with handful of followers of Ahle-Bait.(
Reference available on request)
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