Imambara Zadibal facts for kids

Imambara Zadibal is a very old and important building in Kashmir. It was the first Imambara (a special gathering place for Shia Muslims) built in the Kashmir Valley. It was constructed in 1518 by Kaji Chak, who was a minister for Sultan Mohammad. This building has been destroyed and rebuilt many times over the centuries.

History of Imambara Zadibal

Imambara Zadibal is one of Kashmir's oldest buildings. It is located in the Zadibal area of Srinagar, in Jammu and Kashmir, India. Kaji Chak, a minister for Sultan Mohammed Shah, built this two-story building in 1518. It is designed in the Persian architecture style and is a popular place for visitors.

Sadly, this building was burned down and rebuilt eleven times between 1548 and 1872! In 2004, the old Imambara was taken down to build the new, larger shrine you see today. This new building is big enough to hold over 32,000 people at once.

There are different stories about how Imambara Zadibal was built. History tells us that a person named Tajik Shah gave the land for the Imambara to Mir Shamshud din Iraqi. Mir Shamshud din Iraqi was important because he brought Shia Islam to Kashmir and influenced the government leaders at that time.

Mir Shamshud din Iraqi's family lived near the Imambara. Their family tomb is only a few feet away. Later, the fifth generation of his family built their own private mosque nearby. They also set aside land to earn money to keep the mosque in good condition. They allowed their neighbors to pray there.

The Imambara became a main place for learning about religion for followers of Ahlul Bait (the family of Prophet Mohammad). Older family members would teach religious lessons. They also built a Hamam (a type of bathhouse) to use as a guesthouse for travelers from far away places like Baltistan.

Later, during the time of Prime Minister Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad of Kashmir, the family who owned the Imambara gave it to the Shia community. After that, the Shia Association took over looking after the building. The Shia Association also bought the land around the Imambara from the family. More recently, Molvi Iftikhar Hussein Ansari helped repair the Imambara.

Building Design

Imambara Zadibal is a two-story building inspired by the Persian architecture style. It is made from special oriental bricks. The main area of the building, made with Maharaji bricks, covers more than 75 square meters.

The shrine has different raised floor areas on the sides called Gulam Gardish. There is also a main ground-level floor called Pokhr. It has a large gallery with four gates.

Today, the All Jammu and Kashmir Shia Association looks after the building. The structure you see now is still being worked on and improved.

Celebrations and Gatherings

Shia Muslims are a smaller group in Kashmir. During the first 10 days of Muharram, Imambara Zadibal becomes a very important place for mourning and religious gatherings in Zadibal. Shia followers come together to mourn, which usually ends with the festival of Ashura. On Ashura, a large procession walks through the streets of Zadibal and finishes at Imambara Zadibal.

Mourning continues from the first day of Muharram until the eighth day of the Islamic month Rabi al Awwal. After this, a celebration called Eid al Zahra, also known as Eid e Shuja, takes place. This marks the end of the two-month mourning period.

Destruction and Rebuilding

Imambara Zadibal has been destroyed and rebuilt many times throughout its history. From 1548 AD, during the time of Sultan Nazuk Shah, until 1872 AD, during the rule of Maharaja Ranbir Singh, this shrine was burned down about eleven times.

When Imambara Zadibal was first built, it was a grand building that people in Kashmir were very proud of. However, in 1548 AD, Mirza Hyder Kashgari Douglat set this shrine on fire. Daulat Chak started rebuilding it in 1551.

The Imambara Zadibal was set on fire for the second time in 1553 by Zafar Kupawari. It was burned down again in 1653 during the rule of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.

In 1682 AD, when Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir was in charge, Imambara Zadibal was set on fire again. In 1719 AD, it caught fire for the fifth time during a conflict called the Mukhtawi Khan clash. It burned for the sixth time in 1748 AD. It was set on fire again in 1763. Imambara Zadibal caught fire once more in June 1801, during Afghan rule in Kashmir, just before the Ashura celebrations.

In July 1830, a sad event happened at the shrine when Jammu and Kashmir were under Sikh rule. On this day, many Shias were harmed. This happened at Ali Park in Zadibal or Margibal.

Imambara Zadibal was rebuilt with financial help from a minister of Awadh's Sultan Nasr-ud-din. This money was sent to Haji Baqir Khan Irani, who then gave the job of rebuilding the structure to Hatim Mir.

In September 1872, the building was set on fire again under the rule of Maharaja Ranbir Singh. He was a Dogra Ruler of Jammu and Kashmir. This time, the king gave a lot of money, about 3 lakhs (300,000) rupees, to fix up the Imambara and make it as good as new. Every time the shrine was damaged by fire, the followers of Prophet Mohammad and Ahlul Bayt were even more determined to rebuild it.

How to Reach Imambara Zadibal

It is easy to get to this shrine because it is close to the Srinagar Highway. The Imambara is in the center of Zadibal. It is also near the Khushal Sar Lake and the Hari Parbat Fort, which many people call Qilla.

The closest train station is the Srinagar railway station, which is about an hour away by car. Sheikh ul Alam International Airport is only a few kilometers from the Imambara. Taxi services are also available within the city of Srinagar to help you get there.