Hasan Mirza ka Taboot commemorating Imam Ali’s martyrdom was taken out for first time in 1870
LUCKNOW: When the commemorating the (the first Shia Imam and the fourth Islamic Caliph) is taken out in a procession in the early hours of 21st Ramzan, it will be the 150th year of the Shia mourning procession in Lucknow. This year is also the 1400th year of Maula Ali's martyrdom as per the Islamic calendar, with the day falling on May 27.
It was in 1870 that Hasan Mirza, first took out the procession after a visit to Iraq, where he witnessed the mourning ceremonies from the 19th to 21st of Ramzan. (Imam Ali was struck with a poisoned sword while offering morning prayers on 19th Ramzan, and he attained martyrdom on the 21st day of the Islamic month.)
After returning to Lucknow, the procession was initially taken out from Rassi Bataan in Maulviganj area, after which it was shifted to its present location at Shabih-e-Najaf in Old Lucknow. The taboot (replica of Imam Ali's coffin) is buried at Karbala Talkatora amidst a sea of mourners.
"The family of Hasan Mirza still continues to take out the procession. The rituals that take place from the 19th of Ramzan to the final day, are believed to be inspired from what transpired at Najaf in Iraq, 1400 years ago," said Syed Zafar Husain. Hasan Mirza was Husain's great grandfather.
"The taboot carved out of bamboo is made by the family members. It takes us four to five hours a day, for 20 days, to get the taboot ready," he added. The 150th year, was also surrounded in controversy following an initial decision to alter timing of the taboot, which created furore in the Shia community. By Tuesday evening, the controversy was set aside and the family which forms the procession's committee announced there will be no alteration in the timing.
As per the family, from 1870 till about 1977, the procession was taken out well before the Fajr (morning) prayer. "After 1977, Muharram processions and the 21st Ramzan procession had been stopped by the government. Following the Azadari movement, when all processions were restored in 1998-99, the procession's timing was altered to 6 am by the district administration, for logistic reasons," said Husain.
"Over the years, it commenced soon after Fajr prayers. This year, we thought if it could be altered to the original time, the procession could end by 8 am, unlike last year's 10:30 am. We thought of this since everyone is fasting, but it drew controversy and the thought has been dropped," added another family member, Ajaz.
