The Great
and the last Mughal ruler Aurangzeb who spent the last 25 years
in the Deccan was according to his will buried in the courtyard
of the tomb of Shaikh Zainuddin at Rauza in sepulchre built
by the Emperor in his own life time. On Friday, 21st February,
Aurangzeb died and after Prince Azam Shah his son arrived on
Saturday, 22nd February, 1707, Aurangzeb's bod} was carried
to Khuldabad. Zinat-un-nisa Begum his second daughter was also
with him. The red stone platform (Chabutra) over his grave not
exceeding three yards in length, two and half yards in breadth
and a few fingers in height, has a cavity in the middle. It
has been filled with earth in which fragrant herbs have been
planted. He is now remembered under the title Khuldmakan.
Originally,
the tomb consisted only of a wooden slab with the Persian inscription.
"No marble sheets should shield me from the sky as I lie
there one with the earth."
There is
a legend connected with Aurangzeb's tomb well-known for his
diligence and piety, the emperor on his deathbed decreed that
only Rs. 14 and 12 annas should be spent on his grave. This
was the sum he had earned himself by stitching caps. He had
also earned Rs. 350 from Quranic inscription, but he said, "Don't
use this money in case I have made a mistake in copying the
Quran, as I will be answerable to Allah for that."
Since then
the tomb has been embellished in 1921, the Nizam of Hyderabad
and Lord Curzon had it covered with marble and surrounded with
a pierced marble screen. But a patch of earth with a small sabza
plant remains on top, it is covered with a plain white sheet,
and it is still roofed only by the vault of the sky.
Khuldabad
is more famous as pilgrimage centre as the venerated saints
lie here. More important than ever the saints are the Prophet's
'divine robes' and the 'prophet's hair' which is specially preserved
for worship. The sacred robe, or Pairahan-e-Mubarak' is shrouded
in mysterious obscurity and not many people are really aware
of the extreme significance of this robe. The history of Prophet
Mohammad's robe was narrated to me by Mr. Abdul Hai , an authority
on Khuldabad.
The history
of 'Pairahan-e-Mubarak' is associated with 'Shab-e-Meraj' -
an important event in the life of Prophet Mohammad, when he
was invited by Almighty Allah for a trip to heaven and at the
gateway was presented a robe by Allah as a gesture of welcome.
While receiving this precious gift the Prophet thought of his
devout followers, who he wished too could benefit from this
divine present. When Prophet Mohammed was on his deathbed he
was instructed to choose a Khalifa to take his place. Hazrat
Ali was singled to succeed the Prophet and was gifted with the
sacred robe and also directed to pass the robe to the right
heir.
Some of the important Khalifas to whom this 'Pairahan-e-Mubarak'
was passed were Hazrat Ali, Khwaja Hasan Basri, Hazrat Osman
Haroon Chishti, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer, Qutbuddin
Bakhtiyar and Nizamuddin Auliya of Delhi. Nizamuddin Auliya
of Delhi later conceded the robe to Burhanuddin Garib who was
directed to proceed towards the Daccan with a Palki of 1400
saints.
During the
leave taking ceremony he gave him five important injunctions.
1. This
robe was keepsake to be passed on to Hazrat Zainuddin Shirazi.
2. Mother's
happiness be given priority.
3. Friday
namaz is binding.
4, Celibacy
should be adopted throughout his life.
5. His Pirzadi
Saheba Bibi Ayesha should be under his protection.
The two
dargahs are situated on lofty platforms lying exactly opposite
each other. The Moo-e-Mubarak (the sacred hair) lies in the
shrine of Hazrat Burhanuddin Garib which is located to the left
afer entering the main gate to the village. While the Pairahan-e-Mubarak
(sacred robe) lies in the Maqbara of Hazrat Zainuddin Shirazi
who was the last Khalifa or more popularly known as the 'Bawees
Khwaja', whose edifice houses the tomb of the Mughal Emperor
Aurangzeb.
Presumably
due to its ethereal origin, where the entire area is covered
with the mystical presence of so many saints a number of crown
members preferred to be buried at this place. Besides Aurangzeb,
the other royal members who lie here peacefully are the first
Nizam Asaf Jah, his son Nasir Jung, Abul Hasan Tana Shah, the
last King of Golconda, Aurangzeb's son Prince Azam Shah his
wife and other princely members. Both the Dargahs consist of
many rooms, dormitories for the pilgrims, large open spaces
and tanks of clear water for ablution. At the main entrance
is the Nakkarkhana where the Naubat is played during the auspicious
occasions of an Urs held annualy at Khuldabad.
This sleepy, peaceful hamlet during the Urs suddenly awakes
and stirs with excitement. The inhabitants start buzzing, humming,
dressing, adoring and embellishing the entire place. Garland
of flowers consisting of rose, marigold, mogra, mango leaves,
rose petals and shining coloured papers are woven around in
loops and circles and hung around in the entire area when the
village appears to be decked up like a newly wedded bride.
Devout pilgrims from all the States of India collect to view
the relics of the Holy Prophet. This place also abounds with
the tombs and mausoleums of nearly 1400 saints who had accompanied
Burhanuddin's Palki and selected the vicinity of Daulatabad
and Khuldabad for a final settlement.
Khuldabad's stories do not end here..Another legend is associated
with Burhanudin's younger brother who preceeded him in the Deccan.
Hazrat Khwaja Munteja-buddin Zarzari Zarbaksh Dulah Miya- to
accord him his full title, also a Chisti saint he was the Khalifah
or most mature disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya of Delhi, who ordered
him to go to the Deccan with 700 pious men to combat evil. Taken
aback, he asked his master "I am a poor man, how will I
provide for 700 men?" To which Nizamuddin countered: "When
you were in your mother's womb, how did you get sustenance?
Proceed on your way and leave the rest to God." Zarzari
Baksh obeyed and found each day that after the Tahajjud or 2
a.m. Namaz, a small box of gold lay where he had bowed his head.
Because he never married his name bore the appendage Dulah Miya.
To the northwest,
another group of tombs are more simpler. That of Malik Ambar,
his wife, son and daughter-in-law. These are square, stone,
structures, topped with large domes, but embellished with jalis
or screens. But it is doutful if Malik Ambar was actually buried
at Khuldabad. It is more possible that Malik Ambar's tomb lies
not at Khuldabad but at Aurangabad, in Medical Campus near Makai
Gate.
For more
images pls visit : http://www.aurangabad.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=240&Itemid=606
|