Unique Chehlum of Jaunpur
By Prof.Mazhar Naqvi
Jaunpur, the former
capital of Sharqi kingdom but now a backward district of India, surpasses
Lucknow, one of the biggest centers of azadari in the world, in observance of
Chehlum. Though Jaunpur had emerged as a center of azadari after establishment
of Sharqi kingdom in 15th century but it reduced to the status of an
insignificant town after the devastation by Bahlol Lodi. The town boasts of
several Imambaras and known for its azadari also but it is the observance of
Chehlum that makes the city unique throughout the world.
Chehlum is commemorated
in the memory of Imam Husain on the 40th day of his martyrdom on the
plains of Karbala in Iraq in 680 AD. In Arabic, it is known as Arbaeen while in
Persian the term for 40th day is called Chehlum (20th Safar- The
second Islamic month). In Indian Sub-continent, preference is given to Chehlum
over Arbaeen in the wake of Persian influence on Muharram ceremonies and
contribution of Awadh Nawabs who also hailed from Neshapur town of Iran. How
important is Chehlum for the devotees to Imam Husain could be gauged from the
fact that about 15-20 million people from all over the world visit the shrine
of Imam Husain at Karbala every year. The congregation is believed to be the largest
all over the world and people simply watch the arrival of devotees with a sense
of amazement.
A similar kind of sad atmosphere engulf Jaunpur during
Chehlum as people start reaching the city close on the pattern of Karbala from nearby
and far off places alike to offer tributes to Imam Husain. The population of
the city records a rise by almost 100 per cent as a sequel to the arrival of
devotees in large number to attend Chehlum ceremonies. While in Lucknow and
other places, Chehlum observance begins from the evening of 19th
Safar, In Jaunpur it lasts for three days due to a miracle witnessed in the 18th
century in connection with the main attraction of Chehlum processions known as
Islam Ka Tazia. It is named after a devotee of Ahle-Bait Sheikh Mohammad Islam who
was a well- known wrestler of his times. He won many a prizes for his
excellence in wrestling. He was a devout Muslim too and used to address
Majlises at the Imambara Chamman.
Once during ‘Ashra-E-Muharram’( First ten day
phase of two month and eight days long muharram ceremonies ) , Sheikh Islam went to address a majlis at Imambara Chamman
after placing his tazia on the Imam Chowk in front of his house on
Shab-E-Ashur.. Then, he visited Azakhana of Madad Ali and offered Nazr before the
Tazia and Alams (standards) kept there. While returning home, he was taken into
custody in Bazar Alif Khan on the orders of Qazi Jaunpur Mulla Khaliullah. He
was accused of inciting people to create disturbance during the observance of
Yaum –E-Ashura the next day. All the influential persons tried for his release
but he was not let off by the rigid Qazi.
The disappointed wife of the wrestler tried to
bury tazia of her Chowk On Yaum-E-Ashur but sheikh did not allow her to do so.
His tazia remained at the Chowk unburied as his wife followed the instruction
of her husband. She started prayed for the release of her husband in front of
tazia and immersed herself in prayers. Sheikh Islam also himself dedicated his
days and nights to prayers and supplications for his release on the false
charge. He remained in the prison till 19th Safar. In the evening, Sheikh
Islam who had become very weak and exhausted due to hardships of prison became
semi unconscious while offering prayers. He saw a dream and heard a loud voice,
asking him to get up and go back to his house as he was a free man. His wife
too heard the same words and she brought it to the notice of Sheikh’s brother.
On regaining consciousness, he found the chains tied to his feet broken and the
door of the prison open. While emerging out of prison, the soldiers on duty
stopped him and one of them narrated the incident to Qazi. Strangely Qazi
quietly lend ears to the narration and ordered the release of Sheikh Islam.
After his release, Sheikh Islam did not show any
haste in reaching home. Rather, he tried to inform the locals about the divine
intervention behind his release and asked them to attend a majlis which he
wished to hold before arranging the burial of tazia that was kept still unburied
at his Chowk since Shab-e-Ashur. Entire population of Jaunpur rushed to the
Chowk to take part in the burial of tazia upon coming to know about the miracle
happened with Sheikh Islam.
Traditionally tazia used to originate from Islam
Chowk and buried at nearby Sadar Imambara. In the wake of large gathering and
desire of everyone to have a glimpse of tazia, the route of procession was
extended to cover almost all the localities of the city. The new route covered
areas known as Bazaar
Bhua Sae, Chatatar, Kothia Tola, Bara Duariya, Hamam Darwaza, Sheikh Mahamid,
Ajmeri Mohalla, Bazaar Alif Khan, Qazi ki Gali, Umar Khan, Zaer-E-Masjid Masjid
Qalan, Muhalla Arzaq, Naqi Phatak, Bagh- e-Hashim,, Daliyana Tola, Sheikh
Buhanuddin Pura, Bada Maqdoom Shah,
Bazar Tola, Rani Bazaar, Nasir Khwan, Chatri Ghat, Nawab Ghazi Ka Kuan,
Jagdishpur and Begumganj. Everywhere the procession was received with great
reverence and devotees offered nazr and bedecked tazia with flower and
garlands. Amidst a large gathering and thundering ‘Matam’, the procession
reached Sadar Imambara and tazia was buried in a sad and somber atmosphere
punctuated occasionally by the wailing of devotees.
Since then, Jaunpur has become one of the most
the most popular centers of Chehlum in whole of India with Islam Chowk as main
hub of activities. The organizers over the generations have not only developed
the scale of Shabbedari and standard of Majlises by inviting prominent Anjumans
and Zakirs but also retained the old traditions and rituals intact. There has
been no change even in the route. After the miracle, Tazia of Islam Chowk has
assumed the most significant position among the tazias. Devotees who keep tazias
at other Imambaras and Chowks also join
the procession. Sheikh Islam’s tazia however leads the procession that
culminates at Sadar Imambara in the evening in presence of countless devotees.
There has been just an amendment since the happening of miracle in early 18th
century. Instead of Shab-E-Ashur , this tazia is now kept on 18th Safar
and Anjumans recite Nauhas and perform
matam throughout the night The tazia is known for fulfilling wishes hence,
people from all faiths visit Chowk for the fulfillment of their wishes from the
time of its placing on the Chowk till its departure . On 19th Safar,
a majlis is held after Sozkhwani and then the procession begins. A Tabut also
accompanies the tazia and it is also believed to be an outcome of another
miracle of Masoomeen. Anjuman Sajjadia and Ali Mission Committee Jaunpur have
been organizing the observance of Chehlum every year. The sincere efforts of
the office bearers have given Shiraz-e-Hind, the title given to Jaunpur for
having been capital of Sharqi Rulers, an exalted status in the context of
Chehlum observance as compared to other leading centers of azadari like Lucknow
and Hyderabad. Besides Islam Chowk, Imambara Kallu Marhoom also hosts Chehlum
rituals which give fillip to Jaunpur Chehlum. The city also has several other
Anjumans that also organize Shabbedaris and perform Zanjeer ka Matam in such a
way that the blood oozing out from the bodies of matamdars presents a spectacle
of battlefield. The almost dried river Gomti’s water also reminds the mourners
of Euphrates that was declared out of bound for Imam Husain by Yazidi force. As
an outcome, Imam and his followers had to laid down their lives for the sake of
Islam with three days hunger and thirst. ( Reference Available on Request)
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