Hyderabad: Three years after building the Charminar, which marks its 425th anniversary this month, Muhammed Quli Qutub Shah built the Badshahi Ashoorkhana, about a mile from the monument, in 1594.
It was a house of mourning, where large congregations of Muslims gathered in memory of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain during the month of Muharram.
About 1,500 devotees visit the Ashoorkhana every Thursday. It is kept open round the clock during Muharram, and about 10,000 people visit it each of the first 10 days of the month of mourning.
The architecture with stone columns is unique in many aspects. The structure is built to minute details, special care has been given to proportions.
Its high ceiling, gives the building a magnificent look. The vibrant enamel tiles and intricate hexagon designs have been maintained over four centuries.
The building consists of a Kaman, Naqqar Khana (where ceremonial drums are beaten), Niyaz Khana (where visitors are fed), Sarai Khana (place to rest), Abdar Khana (drinking water is stored), the chabutra (platform) and a guard room. The front aisle is made entirely of wood, as are the panelling of the flanking walls and the façade.
During the rule of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, in 1178 Hijri (about 1764 AD), the Ashoorkhana was converted into a bandikhana. For 80 years, it was used as a stable where horses were kept, before it was restored as a place of worship by the then mutawalli Mir Nawazish Ali Khan.
The eight wooden pillars were reconstructed and the alams were reinstalled. During this time, the main entrance, Bab-e-Faiz-e-Imam-e-Alamiyan, was also constructed.
In 1908, the Ashoorkhana was badly affected by the Musi floods. The ashoorkhana was in six feet of water, and the tiles were completely submerged. These were later repaired and repainted.
In 2011, the High Court pulled up the then state government and ordered removal of the encroachments inside the premises. A year later, the Central government gave Rs 80 lakh as grant to restore and repair the building.
Mutawalli Mir Abbas Ali Moosvi said, “The Naqqar Khana is still damaged and the Chabutra needs to be restored. Every Sunday, we have a heritage walk in the premises and many students of architecture, foreign and domestic tourists visit the premises.”
