The Daughter of the Holy Prophet Mohammed
s.a.w.s .Hazrat Fatima-e-Zehra is called Bibi.
There is a holy relic enclosed in this Alam as well. The relic is a piece
of the wooden plank on which Janab Syeda was given her final ablution
by her husband before burial. This Relic was in Kerbala for a very long
time. In the time of Abdullah Qutub Shah it reached Golkonda. The Relic
was preserved in the calligraphic Alam with Arabic lettering of Allah,
Mohammed and Ali. It was covered with an alloy of metals and gold. later
Nasir-ud-daulah offered jewellery to the Alam which still exists.
There was a Royal decree sanctioning funds for the expenses and award
of jagirs for the maintenance of the attendants. The provision for the
paraphernalia of naubat, mahi maratib and the Royal Umbrella for the procession
were also made. Throughout the year a wooden louvred blind is placed at
the entrance Two green pouches, in the shape of ear-rings containing precious
gems are suspended on either side of the Alam. This is a very ancient
Ashur Khana located in the Outer Dabir Pura. The locality is known as
Mohalla Bibi Ka Alawa. This Ashur Khana was renovated by the Seventh Nizam
under the advise of Nawab Zain Yar Jung. The main entrance and its roof
remain unaltered on which 1299 H, the year of construction is engraved.
The room in which the Alam is installed is a strong room and the Alam
is kept in a safe made on the design of a sarcophagus (Zarih).This Alam
is the symbol of the climax of the observance of the Moharrum mourning
in Hyderabad. It comes out on an elephant on the 10th of Moharrum and
presents the impression of a Royal cortege in procession.
The Alam , as it emerges from the Alawa, the mourners keep chanting 'Ibn-az-Zehra
Wa Waila' which is a protestation against the slaying of Zehra's son Hussain.
Since long years it is a tradition of the mourners in the procession to
chant these words. |
