Koh-e-MoulaAli, situated near Malkajgiri
in Secunderabad, about ten miles away from the city, is one of the most
pious 'Ashoor Khana of the Qutub Shahi period. It is built on a hillock
two thousand seventeen feet above the ground. It differs from the others.
In two aspects.
1) It does not have any 'Alam but an impression of Hazrat Ali's right
hand.
(2) It attracts pilgrims not only during Muhrram, but throughout the year.
This 'Ashoor Khana was built in 986 H/ l578 A.D. during the Ibrahim Qutb
Shah's period. Therefore its construction preceded the construction of
the city of Hyderabad. It is believed that the construction of the 'Ashoor
Khana was the result of one of the miracles (Mojiza) of Hazrat 'Ali.
Khaja Gulam Hussain in his book Gulzar-e-Asafia writes that Yaqut was
a Khajasara (employee of the royal palace) of Ibrahim Qutb Shah. Despite
his constant attendance at the court. Yaqut being a deeply pious and religious
person, took Thursday nights off to spend it in prayers in his garden
at Lalaguda, away from the fort where the court was. One Thursday on the
Seventeenth of the month of Rajab after his prayers when he was asleep
Yaqut saw in the dreams, an Arab dressed in green costume. The Arab informed
Yaqut that Hazrat 'Ali was calling him. Yaqut followed him and found Hazrat
'Ali sitting at the top of the hillock, resting his right hand on a rock.
Yaqut paid his respect to Hazrat 'Ali, but before he could say anything
he awoke from his dream Yaqut felt very happy at what he had dreamed and
felt that he was indeed blessed to have had the unique honour of Ziarat
(vision) of Hazrat 'Ali.
Yaqut then went with his followers to the hillock, and to his joy found
that his dream was true as he found the impression of Hazrat 'Ali's hand
on the rock. Yaqut wept and with great devotion kissed the imprint of
the holy hand. He then called the stone cutters and ordered them to cut
the rock with the imprint of the holy hand. The rock was placed in a rivaq
(arch) built at the top. Yaqut returned to the court and informed Sultan
Ibrahim of the Mojiza.
Sultan Ibrahim visited the 'Ashoor khana and paid his homage. From that
date till today, the 'Ashoor Khana has become a centre of pilgrimage for
people of all religions. Almost every Sultan, who ruled over the Kingdom
of Golconda or Hyderabad took pride in paying homage to the 'Ashoor Khana
and made some additions to the existing buildings. This example set by
the sultans was followed by the nobles whether Hindus or Muslims. Quite
a few buildings of the 'Ashoor khana were built by Hindu nobles. These
still exist giving a unique characteristic to the 'Ashoor khana. |
ASHOOR KHANA HAZRAT ABBAS, NEEM BOWDA, MAULA
ALI:
This Ashoor Khana was established two years before the City of Hyderabad
was made the Capital of Golkonda Kingdom in 1182 H. Neem Bowda is the
reservoir of water at Maula Ali. Before the Municipal water became available
at Maula Ali thousands of devotees visiting there utilized water from
this well. Even now people consider this water to have healing properties.
At this Ashoor Khana the Alam of Hazrat Abbas has been installed. In the
year 1182 H by Nisar Ali arrived from Iran and permanently settled down
at the neem Bowda. He installed the Alam at the same place. The present
Keeper, Mir Mohammed Ali Khan, has been serving the Ashoor Khana since
1380 H. People residing in the neighbourhood of Maula Ali regularly attend
Majalis gatherings at the Ashoor Khana. |
