A custodian of oriental tradition of Awadh | Lucknow Information
By Mehmood M Abdi
Dr Karan Singh, former maharaja of Kashmir as soon as described himself as an odd man within the league of ex-rulers of Indian princely states, by not being a collector of fancy arms and armoury or stuffed wild animals and their hides to show.
Quite the opposite, he has a large assortment of books and musical devices.
Late Raja Amir Mohammad Khan of Mahmudabad property of Awadh, whose ‘chaliswan’ (post-demise fortieth day ceremony) falls right this moment (Saturday), shared this distinction with Dr Karan Singh among the many Awadhnobles – the taluqdars.Through the Mughal period, Emperor Jahangir gifted a sword to the thenMahmudabad ruler.
Although the sword continues to be preserved as a memento within the Qila Mahmudabad, the prized possessions of the Mahmudabad household really lie in literary traditions.
The Amiruddaula Public library of Qaiserbagh, Islamia School and the Madrasa-e-Waezeen, a Shia seminary in Lucknow have been based by the Mahmudabad household.
The refined demenour of Raja Sahab Amir Mohammad Khan didn’t replicate in his outer mannerism alone. His style for fantastic Persian poetry to basic English poets was a tremendous mixture. The way in which he remembered and recited apt couplets of nice Urdu poets was astonishing.
One other placing function of Mahmudabad courtesies was the hospitality. Raja Sahab was a beautiful host. His kitchen served many delicacies which aren’t a lot heard of now.
Mahmudabad kichen was the final oriental kitchen which mastered the trick meals of the Nawabs of Awadh, notably patronised by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. Late Hakim Safdar Nawab Sahab, an genuine repository of Awadhi ‘tehzeeb’, is quoted by Rosie Llewellyn-Jones in her e-book that after a Hindu Raja Sahab was invited for feast by Maharaja Mahmudabad.
The royal kitchen was in confusion as to learn how to put together vegetarian meals for the visiting Raja. Nevertheless, chef Alijan, the favorite prepare dinner of the then Maharaja Mahmudabad, ready each vegetarian dish in the feel and appear of non-vegetarian preparation.
In addition to different festivals, lengthy drawn Muharram observances are the signature ethos of Mahmudabad property which is a mirror picture of Lucknow’s Muharram. The royal processions on particular days appeal to folks from far and broad. Ceremonial sword hanging from Raja Saheb’s waist and the ‘jareeb’ (gilded workers) held in his hand added to the ambiance of the event.
The ‘langar’ (public kitchen ) throughout Muharram feeds lots of of individuals yearly in Mahmudabad. Muharram observances present seasonal occupation to many which yearly rekindles the bond between the palace and the folks.
The Raja was not only a patron and host of those ceremonies however the main participant as properly. He himself recited ‘Marsiya’ and ‘Nauhas’ within the ‘majlis’ at Qila Mahmudabad.
He noticed finer etiquette to extremes. As soon as whereas reciting ‘Marsia’ at a non-public Imambara of Kashmiri Mohalla, Lucknow, in a extremely popular and stuffy night for about an hour and a half, Raja Saheb acquired so exhausted that the host had to assist him descend from the ‘mimbar’ (the pulpit). He was virtually on the verge of fainting, however he didn’t untie the collar of his ‘sherwani’ until he reached a room away from the general public view, although he was drenched in sweat as if he simply had a shower.
One other hallmark of Raja Mahmudabad was the way in which he greeted folks. He by no means shook palms whereas sitting. For each individual extending his hand, Raja Saheb would stand as much as shake palms. This was a show of basic British tradition the place shaking hand whereas sitting is taken into account discourteous. In any massive gathering, Raja Saheb used to boost and wave his each palms in tandem in order that no person felt ignored. ‘Adaab’ with each palms was a peculiar gesture of greeting.
Regardless of his additional humility, he was not simply accessible. Individuals all the time held him in awe and excessive esteem. Twice their MLA, folks of Mahmudabad felt strongly associated to him. Throughout my youthful days, a carpenter was working in our dwelling. His typical rural appears to be like prompted my father to ask him ‘aap kahan ke rahne wale hain?’ (The place do you belong to?) He all of a sudden paused, raised his head and stated with a light perspective ‘Riasat Mahmudabad, sahab” (Sir, I belong to the property of Mahmudabad ).
Passing away of Raja Amir Mohammad Khan is the ultimate closure of the remnants of oriental tradition of Awadh.
(Author is an oral historical past exponent)
