Hindu festivals still a must for Azamgarh muslim king family

Hindu festivals still a must for Azamgarh royals
29 Sep 2008, 0356 hrs IST, Manjari Mishra ,TNN

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AZAMGARH: When 'Kot ka Qila', the 335-year-old residence of the erstwhile ruler of Azamgarh, Nawab Azam Shah, was claimed by the floods last year, N
aiyyar-e-Azam, a descendent of the Shah dynasty, decided to make "a few utilitarian changes in the new layout". The fort thus has all the trappings of a modern home — marble flooring, false ceiling, air conditioning, designer toilets and woodwork. "One has to change with the times," says Azam.

Yet, there are things that time hasn't changed. The 60-year-old scion of Azamgarh's first family, which prides in being "100% Sunni", swears by the unique familial traditions of his family.

Not only are the Shahs known for celebrating Raksha Bandhan, Diwali and Holi, their weddings are a curious mix of rites fashioned on typical Poorvanchal Hindu rituals. The historical documents of the Shahs prove this, and none of the generations has questioned this tradition, says Azam with pride.

Azam's sister-in-law Rakshanda, in the midst of supervising preparations for the evening iftar that's expected to cater to 80 to 100 people every day, joins in to explain. Details like tying a "bandanwar" made of mango leaves at the main door to welcome home the new bride, or application of 'sindoor' in the hair parting are strikingly Hindu rituals.

"The bride," Rakshanda says, "is expected to cross the threshold leaving coloured footprints on the rows of 'soop' (woven cane sieves) along the way and greeted by the mother-in-law who does a Hindu 'sadqa' — rotating a grinding stone over her head and giving away 'thaalis' of grains and sweets in charity. All this is supervised by the 'naain', the woman masseur, whose presence is mandatory at all family weddings."

Azam's sisters especially come down to Azamgarh to tie rakhi on the wrists of their three brothers. Their gifts, normally gold ornaments, are bought days in advance. Azamgarh may have changed since his ancestors set up the kingdom in 1667, but locals still show affection to the family by asking for a handful of sand from the land surrounding the Shah's fort.

"His forefathers were true nationalists. His family estate in Sultanpur and Amethi, among others, is still remembered for hosting unique welcome ceremonies for Indira and Rajiv Gandhi. They would paint steed and doves
in saffron, green and white," said the old retainer Mohammad Ghaffoor.

Do the family's quaint customs draw disapproval of Muslims, especially at a time of deepening divide? "By the grace of Allah, none has said a thing to this day," the mild-mannered nawab draws himself to his full height. "For only He knows how I would react to the situation," he declares.

But, he is quick to regain his composure, "Things shall never come to such a pass despite the burgeoning breed of misguided youth in town... they will also see the light of reason," he says. Nawab Naiyyar-e-Azam Shah has included this request in his Ramzan prayers and God seldom ignores his dua.