Hussaini Brahmin

Hussaini Brahmin is a Mohyal community with links to both Hinduism and Islam. The Mohyal community is Hindu by identity, however, as consistent with the Hindu tradition, they have adopted none-Indic traditions. This has led to a small sub-set of the Moyhal community paying reverence to Shia Islam, in particular, to some Sufi saints. Citing source from history of the Muhiyals, published in 1911 CE., it is disclosed that about 1,400 Brahmins had been living in Baghdad when the event of Karbala took place.[1] There are various opinions regarding the origins of the community. About 125 families of Hussaini Brahmins are settled in Pune.[2] A few families are settled in Delhi also and they observe Muharram every year.[3]

The legend of Rahab Sidh Dutta (The Seven Sons of Datt)

Among various legends about Hussaini Brahmins, it is also described that a childless Dutt personally visited Hussain Ibn Ali and submitted his wish to have a child. As a response to his desire, he was informed that he had no child in his fate. Datt was upset by this, so the Imam prayed so that Datt could have a child. Suddenly someone observing the event questioned Hussain stating that he had challenged the will of Allah. Upon hearing this Imam told Dutt he will have one more child. This continued till Imam gave him good news of seven children.[4][5]

As per Mohyal oral history, a Mohyal of the Dutta clan had fought on behalf of Imam Hussain in the Battle of Karbala (680 C.E.), more specifically in the storming of Kufa- sacrificing his seven sons in the process.[6] According to legend, Rahab Sidh Dutta (also mentioned as Rahib Sidh or Sidh Viyog Datt in some versions) was the leader of a small band of career-soldiers living near Baghdad around the time of the battle of Karbala.[7] The legend mentions the place where he stayed as Dair-al-Hindiya, meaning "The Indian Quarter", which matches an Al-Hindiya in existence today.[7]

Other

In Ajmer, Rajasthan, a place of Sufi pilgrimage, where Moinuddin Chishti lived and passed his last days, there is even today a class of people who call themselves Hussaini Brahmins, who are neither 'orthodox Hindus' nor orthodox Muslims. Hussaini Brahmins practiced a mixed blend of orthodox Vedic and Islamic traditions. A saying in Hindi/Urdu language refers to the Hussaini Brahmans thus: "Wah Datt Sultan, Hindu ka dharm, Musalman ka Iman, Adha Hindu adha Musalman (Well Datt Sultan, declaring Hindu Dharma and following Muslim practice, Half Hindu and Half Muslman [Shia]).[8][9] Hussaini Brahmins used to live in Lahore until India's partition 1947, when they were forced to leave.[10]

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References
  1. Shafaqna (October 15, 2016). "Who are the Hussaini Brahmins? What part did they play in the Battle of Karbala". Shafaqna (Shia International News Association). Archived from the original on October 17, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  2. NADEEM INAMDAR, RIZWAN KHAN. "Brahmins who went to war for the Imam". Times group, India. The Times of India. Archived from the original on 27 January 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  3. Akram, Maria (5 November 2014). "For Hussaini brahmans, it's Muharram as usual". Times group, India. The Times of India. Archived from the original on 22 January 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  4. Zeba T Hashmi (March 17, 2015). "Ashura and pluralism". Daily Times, Pakistan. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  5. Abul Fazl (November 5, 2014). "The Brahmins Who Fought For Imam Hussain At Karbala". Kashmir Observer Online. Archived from the original on October 20, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  6. Mohyals, Muslims and Mustafabad". The Tribune, Chandigarh. 8 August 1993
  7. Mahdi Nazmi (1984). Reg-i-Surkh: Dut Brahman Imam Husain se Rabt o Zabt. Abu Talib Academy, New Delhi. pp. 63–71.
  8. Mitra, Sisir Kumar. The Vision of India. Bombay, India: Jaico Publishing House. pp. 229–230 (First Print 1949).
  9. "Hussaini Brahmans: A historic bondage between Hindus and Shias". News Bharati English. 9 August 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  10. Sheik, Majid (26 November 2012). "Karbala and how Lahore was involved". Dawn. Dawn News Paper, Lahore. Archived from the original on 27 January 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2016.


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