Hyderabadi Muslims

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For Hyderabadi Muslims who settled in Pakistan, see
Muhajir
.

Hyderabadi Muslims
The portrait of the VIIth Nizam
Total population
2,187,005 (1941)[1] Present Worldwide Figures Unknown, but about 1.71 million (2011) in
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Hyderabadi Muslims, also referred to as Hyderabadis,

Deccani people, from the area that used to be the princely state of Hyderabad in the regions of Marathwada, Telangana, and Kalyana-Karnataka.[5]

While the term "Hyderabadi" commonly refers to residents in and around the

Deccani language
.

With their origins in the

Aurangabad, Parbhani, Nanded, Raichur, Bidar, Gulbarga, and among the Hyderabadi Muslim diaspora around the world, in particular, Pakistan,[8] the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, USA, Canada and the United Kingdom.[9]

History

Main articles: History of Hyderabad and Annexation of Hyderabad

The

Nizams
.

According to

seventh Nizam was the richest man in the world during the late 1940s, and fifth richest person of all time according to Forbes magazine after adjustment for inflation and currency purchasing power parity.[10]

The

jagirdars and deshmukhs (wealthy landowners), and even minor government officials, could afford to hire servants, usually also Muslims, in a social order similar to the class system of Victorian England
. The Nizam allied himself with the British early on, with ensuing political stability.

After the fall of the

Tanrus Khan and Bade Ghulam Ali Khan
.

After

massacre of thousands of Muslims.[11][12][13]

Hyderabadi Muslim identity after integration

Hyderabad State Divided Amongst Three New Indian States

The

weasel words] diaspora.[15][unreliable source?
]

The people who migrated to

Muhajir, along with other Urdu-speaking immigrants from present day India. The Muhajir people began to dominate politics and business mainly in the metropolitan city of Karachi but their Hyderabadi Muslim identity was lost, and replaced by Karachi's cosmopolitan culture.[16][failed verification] The Hyderabadi Muslims who stayed in integrated Andhra Pradesh were faced with new[clarification needed] language issues, and a wave of immigration of more Telugu people from the coastal areas as well as other Indian states, especially after 1956.[17][page needed][clarification needed
]

After the

Dakhini became a home language, while Urdu, once dominant in the politics of these regions became comparatively less widespread.[18][full citation needed][19][page needed
]

The relative isolation of Hyderabad until

annexation to India, its distinctive dialect of Urdu and the strong web of interconnecting family relationships that still characterizes Hyderabadi Muslims, sometimes leads to charges of parochialism from other Indian Muslim communities, but it also ensures a Hyderabadi Muslim identity endures among the Indian diaspora.[citation needed
]

Demographics and distribution

A replica of the Charminar built by Hyderabadi Muslims in Bahadurabad, Karachi, Pakistan

The largest concentration of Hyderabadi Muslims is in the

UK, Canada and Australia.[20][21]

A section of Muslims in Hyderabad are of

Hadhrami Arab origin, who came to serve in the Nizam's military. They are known as Chaush and mostly reside in the Barkas neighbourhood of Hyderabad. Opposed to the popular belief, they are not considered a part of Hyderabadi Deccani Muslims. There are also some Siddis who are of African descent.[22][23]

In

Muhajir
) who migrated to Pakistan

Classification

Mecca Masjid
.
Hyderabad Deccan
(Green in the South) at its greatest extent

Hyderabadi Muslims today, refer to the Urdu speaking Muslim community, from the 1801 landlocked

Carnatic, and the Circars, developed their own distinct culture, and culinary tradition.[28] The Chaush community, even though they speak Urdu, and live in the erstwhile Hyderabad State, are usually not considered Hyderabadi Muslims, since they came recently to the region. Even though they absorbed many Hyderabadi Muslim cultural features, namely language and cuisine (Chaush cuisine has more Arab influences), they're a more homogeneous group, of Hadhrami Arab ancestry, and reside in close knit Chaush communities such as the Barkas neighborhood of Hyderabad.[29][30] This is compared to most Hyderabadi Muslims, who have ancestries from various ethnic origins, most notably from Northern India, are less a homogeneous group.[31]

Culture

Main article: Culture of Hyderabad
Mah Laqa Bai

Hyderabadi Muslims, are noted for their hospitable nature also known as Deccani Tehzeeb. While Hyderabadi Muslims take pride in their "Nawabi" language, literature, poetry, architecture, and cuisine, the performing arts are often overlooked, especially regarding Hyderabadi culture. In fact, the culture of the Hyderabadi Muslims is being lost.[32][33] The founding of the city of Hyderabad can be attributed to Ali who is popularly known as Hyder meaning The Lion and four minartes of Charminar represents four caliphs. Tales of the legendary dancers Taramati, and Premamati, are also an insight into the rich culture under the Qutb Shahi era. Mah Laqa Bhai, a prominent Hyderabadi Muslim poet of the 18th century, patronized the Kathak dance form in the courts of the Nizam, which is now being lost amongst Hyderabadi Muslims.[34]

The legendary Taramati used to sing for travelers at the Taramati Baradari

Apart from these, a traditional Hyderabadi Muslim wedding is identified by various local traditional elements, such as the traditional garb, Sherwani for the groom and Khada Dupatta along with jewelry for the bride, as well as Hyderabadi cuisine served at the ceremony.

Another cultural practice unique to the region is Tasmia Qwani also known as Bismillah Ceremony, family ceremony in which a Muslim child is initiated to read the Quran. It is also characterized by local elements.[35]

Communal Harmony, known as Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb, is integral to the Culture of Hyderabad.[36][37][38][39]

Other than musical forms of art, Hyderabadi Muslims have taken great honour in the writing, and reading of poetry, and annual Mushairas and Mehfils take place around the world, which has become a symbol of unity for Hyderabadi Muslims, and Urdu poets alike, continuing an ancient tradition.[40]

Language and literature

Main articles: Hyderabadi Urdu and Deccani language
Students at the Osmania University, circa 1940s

One of the most identifiable markers of Hyderabadi Muslim culture is the

Dakhini. It is distinct by its mixture of vocabulary from Turkish, Persian and Arabic, as well in some vocabulary from Telugu and Marathi that are not found in the standard dialect of Urdu
. In terms of pronunciation, the easiest way to recognize a Hyderabadi Urdu is use of "nakko"(no) and "hau"(yes); whereas in standard Urdu it's "nahi" for (no) and "haa" for (yes).

Though

Dakhini are the native languages of the Hyderabadi Muslim people, most people can speak standard Urdu, and often put Urdu as their mother tongue on censuses, as Dakhini is not a recognized language as such. Along with the languages they learn from birth, they can speak Hindi, which is mutually intelligible with standard Urdu, and taught in most Indian schools. Hyderabadi Muslims can also speak the majority languages spoken in the regions they live, namely Telugu, Marathi, and Kannada
. The other important characteristic of the natives is cultural refinement in terms of interpersonal communication, referred to as meethi boli (sweet and civilised speech). Tameez, tehzeeb and akhlaq (etiquette, custom, and tradition) are considered very important and guests are treated well with a lot of mehmaan nawaazi (hospitality).

The

Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah was himself an Urdu poet.[42]

The period of

Nizams saw a growth of literary growth since after printing was introduced in Hyderabad. In 1824 AD, the first collection of Urdu Ghazals named Gulzar-e-Mahlaqa (Mahlaqa's garden of flowers) written by Mah Laqa Bai, was printed and published from Hyderabad.[43]

After the

Dagh Dehlvi, Fani Badayuni, Josh Malihabadi, Ali Haider Tabatabai, Zahir Dehlvi and many others.[44][45]

The reign of

Maharaja Sir Kishen Pershad, although not a Muslim himself, was steeped in Hyderabadi Muslim Culture and wrote poetry under the pen name Shad.[48]

In 2017, Urdu was declared the second official language of the state of Telangana (after Telugu). This move was praised by many, especially Muslims of Hyderabad who spoke Urdu as their mother tongue.[49][50]

Music

Though, the once great dance traditions among the Hyderabadi Muslims are almost lost, two distinct, cultural practices are still popular, namely Marfa, and Dholak ke Geet. Marfa was brought by the Siddi and Chaush peoples, of Africa and Yemen, who were deployed in the army of the Nizams. This music, is accompanied by the beating drums of a great tradition, which were once popular in national celebrations of the dissolved Hyderabad state, is still popular among Hyderabadi Muslims in weddings.[51] Dholak ke geet is also one such tradition. Dholak ke geet are songs, that have been orally passed down from generation to generation since the time of the Nizams, and is sung at weddings, accompanied by a Dholak drum.[52]

Ustad Tanrus Khan, Munshi Raziuddin and Bahauddin Khan used to perform at the Nizam's court. The contemporary qawwals Ateeq Hussain Khan and the Warsi Brothers reside in Hyderabad
and perform regularly in the city.

Cuisine

Main article: Hyderabadi cuisine
Hyderabadi Biryani
Hyderabadi Haleem

The native cooking style of the community is the

Telugu and Marathwada cuisines. It comprises a broad repertoire of rice, wheat and meat dishes and the skilled use of various spices, herbs and natural edibles.[56][57][53]

Some famous

Baghare Baigan
.

Other popular food items are:

Khichdi. The Arab dishes Mandi and Shawarma
are also popular.

The dishes are tied to events, such as

Sheer Khorma which is especially made on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr.[59][60] Talawa Gosht
is prepared on Fridays.

Irani chai is enjoyed throughout the city, along with Osmania biscuits. Irani cafes found all over Hyderabad serve these along with lukhmi, samosa and other snacks.[61][62]

Clothing and jewellery

Khada Dupatta

Main article: Khara dupatta
Princess Niloufer, the Hyderabadi princesses of the Ottoman
origin.

The Khada Dupatta or

chooridaar (ruched pair of pants), and 6-yard dupatta (veil) and is traditionally worn by Hyderabad brides. Sometimes the kurta is sleeveless and worn over a koti resembling a choli. The bride also wears a matching ghoonghat (veil) over her head. The accompanying jewellery is:[53][63]

Sherwani

The Sherwani is the traditional men's garb of Hyderabad. It is a coat-like tunic with a tight-fitting collar (hook & eyelet fastening), close-fitting in the upper torso and flaring somewhat in its lower half. It usually has six or seven buttons, often removable ones made from gold sovereigns for special occasions. The material is usually silk or wool. A groom may use gold brocade for his wedding sherwani, but otherwise good taste dictates understated colors, albeit with rich and textured fabrics. The sherwani is usually worn over a silk or cotton kurta (long shirt) and pyjamas (baggy pants with a drawstring at the waist).

The Sherwani is closely associated with Hyderabad, although it has spread since to the rest of India and to Pakistan. Former Prime Minister of India

Nehru Jacket
, further popularizing the garment.

Attar

Attar, or Ittar is a traditional perfume made from botanical sources. It is still available in the bazaars near Charminar and at the Moazam Jahi Market. Many of the older generations still prefer attar over modern perfumes.[64][65][66][67]

Religion

The 400-year-old Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad

The majority of Hyderabadi Muslims are

Hanafi jurisprudence. Islam in Hyderabad, with historical patronizing by the rulers, has a strong Sufi influence. Tablighi Jamaat has also been active since the late 1950s, with its headquarters at Jama Masjid Mallepally. Salafi movement within Sunni Islam is also influential in some areas. Bismillah ceremony
is an Islam initiation ceremony held for children, unique to the region.

Mourning of Muharram is observed by the Shia minority.[69] Processions are held every year and are attended by both Shia and Sunni Muslims, since the time of the Qutb Shahi dynasty as well as the Nizams. Though Asaf Jahs (Nizams), rulers of erstwhile Hyderabad State, were Sunni Muslims, they continued to patronise the observance of Muharram. It was during their time that special colonies for Shias were built in Darulshifa and surrounding areas. It was during the Asaf Jahi period that several ashurkhanas were built.[70]

Religious knowledge and its propagation flourished under the Nizam with institutions like the world-famous Jamia Nizamia. The largest Mosque of Hyderabad, the Makkah Masjid gathers congregations of more than two hundred thousand[citation needed] on the occasions of Eid prayers and Jumu'at-al Wida. (the last Friday of Ramadan)

Hyderabad has also produced many renowned religious scholars representing different Islamic sects and trends, including

Abul Ala Maududi and M. A. Muqtedar Khan
.

Politics

Hyderabadi Muslims of the old city region are aligned to the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen party, currently led by Asaduddin Owaisi. The party dominates the politics in Hyderabad's Old City, and consistently wins seats for the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Indian Parliament) and the Telangana Legislative Assembly. The party claims to represent the interests of Muslims by campaigning for greater protection of minority rights across the country.[71] A rival breakaway faction of the AIMIM is the Majlis Bachao Tehreek that also claims to represent the interests of Muslims in Hyderabad headed by Majeed Ullah Khan Farhat and his more prominent younger brother Amjed Ullah Khan. Whereas, those of the new city region prefer voting for the TRS.

Hyderabadi Muslims actively participated in the 1857 rebellion, such as Maulvi Allauddin, Turrebaz Khan.[72]

Notable people

Main article: List of Hyderabadi Muslims

See also

Notes

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  2. ^ "Census of India Website : Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India".
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  8. ^ "Hyderabadis in Pakistan still carry mohajir tag: Karen Leonard". The Times of India. 7 January 2012. Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  9. ^ "The Muslim question". The Times of India. 11 November 2011. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  10. ^ "His Exalted Highness the Nizam of Hyderabad". Time. 22 February 1937. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
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  16. ^ Murtaza, Dr Niaz (23 January 2014). "The Mohajir question". www.dawn.com. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  17. ^ Agricultural Development in Hyderabad State, 1900-1956: A Study in Economic History. Keshav Prakashan. 1 January 1882.
  18. ^ Journal of South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. Published under the auspices of the Pakistan American Foundation. 1 January 2003.
  19. ISBN 9789400746619
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  20. ^ Leonard 2007
  21. ^ Leonard 2009
  22. ^ Yimene 2004
  23. ^ Ali 1996: 193–202
  24. ^ Leonard2003: 232
  25. ^ Ansari 2005: 140
  26. ^ Zakaria, M. Rafique (22 April 2007). "Charminar in Karachi". Dawn. Archived from the original on 23 July 2012.
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  30. ^ "Barkas: A Small Yemen in Hyderabad". Hyderabad Notes. 5 March 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
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  45. ^ "City of Bards: Eminent poets who settled down in Hyderabad". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  46. ^ "Hyderabad to observe 104th anniversary of Musi flood | The Siasat Daily". archive.siasat.com. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  47. ^ Forum, Pak-American International. "Syed Mohiuddin Qadri, 'Zore'- MA, PhD". PRLog. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  48. ^ "Sir Kishen Pershad Passes Away". The Indian Express. 14 May 1940. p. 2. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
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  68. ^ "Muslim society demonstrates diversity in its beliefs and practices". The Times of India. 14 August 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  69. ^ "No parallel to Hyderabad's Muharram procession in India". News18. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  70. ^ "No parallel to Hyderabad's Muharram procession in India". News18. 24 November 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  71. ^ "History - All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen". All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen. Archived from the original on 2 July 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
  72. ^ Gopal, M. Sai. "Turrebaz Khan: The forgotten hero". Telangana Today.

References

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