| The Hussainia was constructed by the Nawab Sahab
in the year 1290 H. His son, Syed Inayat Hussain, Nawab Inayat Jung, gave
the present shape to the Hussainia in the year 1934AD.
It was Nawab Tahwar Jung who was the first to invite Maulvi Mohammed
Ali of Lucknow for Rouza Khani. Then he invited the great Poet Mir Anees
from Lucknow as well to publicly recite his requiems (marsias) which is
remembered even to this day. The people of Hyderabad received him with
open arms. Mir Sahab was received by Nawab Tahwar Jung at Gulbarga to
accompany him from there. Mir Anees was so much impressed with the response
he received during his recitations that he is on record to have said that
it was like the response he received from people back home. The other
authors of Marsia who performed in Hyderabad were Uns, Urooj, Dulha Sahab
and Laddan Sahab who presented their fresh works at the Hussainia.
In 1931 A.D. the tradition of Hadees Khani (oratory) was introduced.
Besides the local scholars most of the eminent speakers in the field have
been visiting Hyderabad ever since then. These scholars definitely address
some of the Majalis at Hussainia even if they come with invitations to
speak at other venues.
Besides the gatherings of Moharrum the commemorative majalis for the
martyrdom of all the Holy Imams are also organized at the Hussainia. The
necessary arrangements are completed in the month of Zil Hijjah for the
on-coming Moharrum. With the commemorative Majlis of Hazrat Muslim Ibne
Aqeel the season of mourning commences at the Hussainia. The last Majlis
of the long series is on the 8th of Rabi al Awwal. The Ashur Khana however
is used frequently for organizing Majlis gatherings and celebrations on
the birthdays of the members of the Prophet's family on regular basis.
The Hussainia is also made available for marriages to the community.
Another main feature of this Aza Khana is that the author's grand father
started the movement for the discontinuance of the superstition of married
women continuing to wear bangles and bead necklaces during the period
of mourning. Nawab Tahwar Jung gave whole hearted support to this movement
and he was the first to ask the ladies of his house to remove the beads
and break their bangles with the sighting of the crescent of Moharrum.
This is now a tradition followed by all the Shia ladies of Hyderabad.
The women of Hyderabad deserve all the respect that with open hearts
they accepted the appeals for doing away with their finery during the
period of mourning. It was also Nawab Tahwar Jung who propagated the wearing
of black habits during Moharrum.
As the public observance of Moharrum mourning progressed the tradition
of chest beating with hands and also with chains also came in vogue. It
was at the Hussainia that the first public chest beating sessions were
conducted. On the 8th of Moharrum there used to be a special gathering
of Matam-dari (chest beating) when there would be no lectures or orations.
The proceedings would start with recitation of elegies by Moulvi Abrar
Hussain followed by sessions of chest beating by devotees. The Alam of
Hazrat Abbas is taken out at this Majlis. This gathering is arranged every
year on the 8th of Moharrum. Such gatherings are got together also on
the 10th of Moharrum and on Arbaeen, that is 20th of the month of Safar.
Nawab Tahwar Jung and Nawab Inayath Jung never spent a day without shedding
tears in the memory of the Great Martyrs of Karbala. Their dedication
and devotion to the Holy Family of the Prophet was so deep and intense
that their last wish to get burial in the precincts of the Mausoleum of
Imam Husain was fulfilled.
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