Mourning Processions No Longer Held in Rohri City (Part 2)
Rohri, a historic and culturally rich city in Sindh, has long been known for its ancient traditions and mourning practices, particularly during Muharram. Over time, several of these mourning processions and taziya rituals, once integral to the city’s identity, have ceased. This article sheds light on these discontinued processions, preserving their historical and cultural significance as part of Sindh’s heritage.
White Coffin (Acho Taboot)
The White Coffin "اڇو تابوت" procession was organized by the Shirazi Syed community. Syed Imamuddin Shah, son of Syed Sher Ali Shah, was responsible for its arrangements. After his demise, his son Syed Ghulam Shah Shirazi continued the tradition. Syed Ghulam Shah passed away around 1925, leaving his son Abdullah Shah too young to carry on. The two key assistants, both from the Channa caste, were vital to the procession; one had already passed away, and the other died four or five years after Syed Ghulam Shah’s death, leading to the procession’s discontinuation.
This procession began from the Akhund neighborhood’s mosque and was named "White Coffin" due to the white cloth draped over the taziya. A notable feature was the significant participation of Rohri’s Hindu community, who joined in large numbers with great reverence, many actively mourning alongside, showcasing remarkable interfaith harmony.
Amir Bakhsh Shah Jilani’s Procession
Amir Bakhsh Shah Jillani Jo Mattam,"امير بخش شاه جيلاني جو ماتم" a descendant of Syed Mahmood, was alive in 1244 AH (1828 CE). His procession started from the shrine of Hajna Shah. Its route included Mir Aminuddin Khan Hussain’s mosque (also known as Naqadeen’s mosque), Sheesha Mahal Tar, Hiranand Hospital, the barber’s quarter, Pir Piran Street, Dhak Bazaar, Chosool, and Municipal Road, before concluding at Hajna Shah’s shrine. After Amir Bakhsh Shah, his son Imam Bakhsh Shah and later his brother Sultan Ahmed Shah Jilani continued the procession for a few years before it eventually stopped.
Dital Shah’s Procession
Dital Shah Jo Mattam,"ڏتل شاه جو ماتم" who passed away on April 6, 1939, belonged to the Nawaz Ali Shah Rizvi Syed community in the Khwaja Potan neighborhood, with their havelis located opposite the municipality. This procession, held on the 2nd of Muharram, began at Chosool and passed through Municipal Road, Hajna Shah’s shrine, Mir Amiruddin Hussain’s mosque, Sheesha Mahal Tar, Hakim’s hotel, the barber’s quarter, Pir Piran Street, and Dhak Bazaar, before concluding at Chosool. The taziya was then placed in Khwaja Mohammad Badani’s mosque. After Dital Shah’s death, his maternal grandfather, Syed Ghulam Haider Shah, managed the procession for several years. However, when he migrated to Hyderabad, the procession ceased.
Kalhoras’ Procession
The Kalhoras Jo Mattam "ڪلوڙن جو ماتم" Kalhora community has been settled in Rohri since ancient times, with historical documents from the 10th and 11th Hijri centuries attesting to their presence. The Rohri Kalhoras identify as Abbasi. The prominent lawyer Abdul Majeed Abbasi’s family is also originally Kalhora. Their ancestors organized mourning processions until the British era. Mian Mohammad Mohsin bin Mohammad Sadiq, likely a revenue official, managed this procession during his lifetime. He passed away on January 14, 1911, at the age of 48. It is unclear whether his son, Mian Abdul Razzaq, continued the tradition. The procession’s route included the Takay Wale Masjid (also known as the Takay Mosque) area, the street where the family resided, and Kharkash Mohalla (now Meman Mohalla).
Karo Qalandar
In ancient times, a procession named "Karo Qalandar, ڪارو قلندر" was held. Information about it was provided by Syed Somar Shah Jilani, Syed Ahmed Ali Shah Rizvi Miyanno, and Syed Ghulam Shabir Shah Rizvi Abdullah Poto. However, details about its route and specifics remain unclear.
Morkhand’s Procession
The Morkhand Jo Mattam,"مورڪندن جو ماتم" Morkhand community, traditionally arrow makers, were among Rohri’s ancient residents and actively participated in Muharram mourning. They organized a taziya procession on the 3rd of Muharram. Details about its route and starting point are unavailable. The last person to manage this procession was Hussain Bakhsh Morkhand. Due to the family’s extinction and members passing away without heirs, this procession also ceased.
Jamal Shah’s Procession
Little is known about Jamal Shah’s procession "Jamal Shah Jo Mattam جمال شاه جو ماتم", including which Syed family he belonged to or the specific date it was held.
Mir’s Fast (Mir Jo Rozo)
Mir Jo Rozo"مير جو روزو" On the evening of the 9th of Muharram, this procession began outside Nawab Mir Dolha’s shrine in Kot Mir Yaqoob Ali Shah and concluded at the Alam Pak of the large Imambargah opposite. According to the late Tawassul Shah Rizvi, it was earlier held on the same night at the Korakhan’s Alam near Khadim Ali Shah Rizvi’s otaq within Kot. This procession was organized by Syed Qadan Shah Rizvi as a vow for the birth of his son Aijaz Hussain Shah, accompanied by a majlis. Later, his son Manzoor Hussain Shah continued it for some time. The procession stopped between 1970 and 1975, but Aijaz Hussain Shah’s sons continue to hold a majlis on this date.
Night of the Strike (Shab-e-Zarbat) Procession
Shab-e-Zarbat "شب ضربت جو ماتم" This procession, commemorating the night of Imam Ali’s (AS) strike on the 19th of Ramadan, was initiated by Zawar Dr. Imdad Hussain Shah Musavi in 1975. It started from Masjid Iraq and passed through Karbala Maidan, Karbala Road, Lali Shahzadi’s hotel, and Musavi House, concluding just before sehri. After Dr. Musavi’s death, the procession continued for a few years before ceasing.
Reference
- Book: Three and a Half Centuries of Rohri
- Research and Compilation: Syed Abdul Hussain Musavi
- Contributor: Imdad Hussain Shah Kotahi Rohri.
- Historical Ta'ziyah Processions in Rohri: Sindh’s Muharram Heritage
- 7th Muharram Mir Jo Rozo: Historical Background and Procession Details
