Nizamat Imambara

Nizamat Imambara

General Information
Founder	Nawab Muhammad Siraj-ud-Daulah
Established	1740 CE
Type	mosque, Husayniyya
Location	Murshidabad, West Bengal state of India
Other names	Nizamat Husayniyya
Specifications
Status	Active
Facilities	mosque
Architecture
Architect	Kafayat Allah
Style	Mughal architecture
Renovation	1847 CE

The Niẓāmat Imambara or Ḥusaynīyya is a religious and historical site for Shias, located in the city of Murshidabad, in the West Bengal state of India. This structure was founded by Siraj-ud-Daula (1733–1757), the Nawab of the Bengal monarchy. In 1846, the Imambara was destroyed due to a fire. The Nawab Mansur Ali Khan Bahadur (1830–1884) reconstructed the building in 1847.

The Imambara features a mosque and several corridors. During the month of Muharram, mourning ceremonies for Imam al-Husayn are held in this building. The Nizamat Imambara is considered one of the largest Imambaras and a historical landmark of India. Beneath the foundation of the structure, soil from Mecca, Medina, and Karbala has been laid.

The Nizamat Imambara: The Largest Imambara in Bengal

The Nizamat Imambara or Husayniyya is located in the Murshidabad city of West Bengal, India, beside the Ganges River, and opposite the Hazarduari Palace (a historic monument). This Imambara is one of the largest in India and is considered a historical and tourist site in Bengal. It is said to be the largest Imambara in West Bengal and opens only during the first ten days of Muharram.

History and Founder

The Nizamat Imambara or Husayniyya was established in 1740 (12th century Sh) by Nawab Muhammad Siraj-ud-Daulah, one of the nawabs of the ruling dynasty of western Bengal, in the Nizamat Fort of Murshidabad, India. Siraj-ud-Daulah constructed this building for his army's mourning ceremonies during the month of Muharram.

In 1842 (13th century Sh), the Nizamat Imambara was destroyed by a fire. In December 1846, it faced another fire, which completely burned down the building, except for the "Medina Mosque." Nawab Mansur Ali Khan (1830–1884) began the reconstruction of the Imambara in 1847 CE and completed it within eleven months.

Features of the Imambara's Building

In the original construction of the Nizamat Imambara, soil from Mecca and Medina was incorporated, allowing those unable to afford a pilgrimage to Mecca to perform their devotions there. During the second reconstruction, soil from Karbala was placed beneath its foundation.

Within the premises of the Nizamat Imambara, there is a mosque named "Medina Mosque," established by Nawab Mansur Ali Khan. This mosque is situated between the Imambara and the Hazarduari Palace. It was named Medina Mosque due to its resemblance to the Prophet's (s) Mosque (Masjid al-Nabawi). The structure is made of wood.

The Nizamat Imambara has three corridors, with the central one named the Mosque Corridor and the Pulpit (Minbar) Corridor.

The Pulpit Corridor of the Nizamat Imambara measures 300 feet (approximately 91 meters) in length. It houses the pulpit (minbar) and is where mourning ceremonies for Imam al-Husayn (a) are held. The Imambara features a balcony adorned with decorative stones and includes a special hall designated for women.

The eastern corridor of the Nizamat Imambara, known as the Nawbat Khana, features a large gate. The largest corridor, located on the western side, is two stories high. The total length of the Imambara is 680 feet (approximately 207 meters). Additionally, the Imambara includes rooms for accommodating pilgrims.