Abdul Alim Jafri, TwoCircles.net
Lucknow: A timeless Nawabi tradition of the city continues to bring people together across faiths and backgrounds. Upholding a spirit of unity and generosity during Ramadan, the Hussainabad Trust’s ‘Shahi Bawarchi Khana’ (kitchen) has been serving iftar to nearly 1,600 people every day for over 186 years.
With no restrictions on who can join, this feast welcomes all — regardless of religion or status — offering vegetarian dishes that symbolise inclusivity and shared humanity during the holy month.
The iftar, which includes fresh gujiya, chana, crispy pakoras, samosas, bread and butter, suhal and fruit (often bananas), provides essential nourishment to those in need.
Historical root
In 1839, the third King of Awadh, Muhammad Ali Shah, established this noble tradition. The Hussainabad and Allied Trust (HAT) continues this legacy every year during Ramadan. The trust also preserves several Nawab-era monuments, including the iconic Chota and Bada Imambara of the city.
“Muhammad Ali Shah established the Hussainabad Allied Trust and Endowment Deed in 1839. Its sole purpose was to feed the poor. Following tradition, iftar is prepared in the kitchen of Chota Imambara for around 1,600 people who come to offer Maghrib (evening) prayers at the 13 mosques, including Chota Imambara Mosque, Karbala Mosque, Capital Mosque and Kazman Mosque,” Syed Qamar Abbas, in charge of the Chota Imambara, told TwoCircles.net.
He added that the kitchen, also known as the ‘Shahi Bawarchi Khana’, operates using income generated from HAT-owned properties.
In addition to preparing 1,600 iftar plates, the ‘Shahi Bawarchi Khana’ also serves food to approximately 600 underprivileged individuals between 11:00 PM and 3:30 AM throughout Ramadan on the premises of Chota Imambara.
Murtuza Hussain, who has been working in the Shahi Kitchen of Chota Imambara for the past 10 years as head cook, said, “Following the old tradition, dal and tandoori roti are prepared for three days (Monday to Wednesday). For the next three days, potato curry is prepared with tandoori roti. This sequence continues throughout Ramadan. Each person is given two rotis and one plate of dal or gravy.”
Sharing more about the tradition, he said, “Every year before Ramadan, applications are collected, and only 600 people are selected from around a thousand applicants. The selected individuals receive slips from the trust, allowing them to receive food for the entire month. Most of them are truly in need — otherwise, why would anyone come for just two rotis and a plate of dal?”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the kitchen remained closed for two consecutive years.
“During the pandemic, we were unable to provide iftar or food for two years due to restrictions, but when the situation improved, rations were delivered to the homes of some people,” said Abbas.
“Every year, an amount of around Rs 15-19 lakh is allocated for iftar and dinner services. Two separate teams of around 20 dedicated employees, including chefs and their assistants, are engaged for this. Every day, the kitchen begins to buzz with activity at 8 am. By 4:30 pm, we dispatch the first batch of iftar food to mosques,” said Habibul Hasan, an official of the HAT.
Hasina Bano, a rozedar (a person who observes a fast), has been visiting Chota Imambara to collect food for the past four years during Ramadan. “After my husband’s death, my two sons live separately with their families, and I have no one. Getting roti during fasting helps a little, and the quality of their food is also good,” she said.
She continued, “Hundreds of people like me come here for food because we have no support. With these two rotis and a bowl of dal, there is a great relief of having food at least once a day.”
Echoing a similar sentiment, Muzaffar Hussain, who also comes to Chota Imambara every day to collect food, said, “It is better to get two rotis here without asking than to beg on the road. The quality of food is also good.”
In addition to distributing food to 600 people with slips, the trust ensures that no beggar or needy person is turned away empty-handed.
‘Ganga Jamuni Tehzeeb’
In a shining example of ‘Ganga Jamuni tehzeeb’ and fostering the spirit of communal harmony, a Hindu temple in Lucknow organised an iftar gathering last week, bringing people together in a spirit of unity and shared tradition.
The iftar and aarti in the neighborhood took place just two days after a tense Holi celebration on March 14. The atmosphere had been particularly sensitive in areas like Sambhal, where political leaders and others urged the Muslim community to delay their Friday prayers until the festivities concluded. However, the festival passed without incident, as security forces across Uttar Pradesh remained vigilant to prevent any disturbances.
Interestingly, it was a Muslim resident of the locality who named Shiv Vatika, and the community also played a role in the temple’s construction, said Rajesh Tiwari, president of the Avadhpuram Welfare Society. “In today’s time, hosting a roza-iftar in Shiv Vatika might come as a surprise to some, but one must remember that Avadhpuram has long upheld the Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb of Avadh and will continue to do so in the future,” added Arif Ali Siddiqui, secretary of the society.
According to residents of the area, the Shiv temple and the park in front of it were constructed with their own resources. On March 16, elaborate arrangements were made in the park for the iftar meal for devout Muslims observing roza during the holy month of Ramadan, followed by namaz.
When all of that was completed, the daily Shiv aarti was performed, with people from the Muslim community also participating. “Many Hindu-Muslim brothers of the colony participated and presented a great example of brotherhood,” said Tiwari.
The concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the world is one family, is a core mantra of Sanatan Dharma, and respecting the faith of every religion has always been the identity of Indian culture, he said.
Emphasising the Muslim community’s role in building the temple, Tiwari added, “Avadhpuram colony embodies the culture of Avadh…. people from the Muslim community stood shoulder to shoulder with us through every difficulty in the construction of the temple. The name Shiv Vatika was also given by a Muslim brother here. Muslim brothers of the colony participate enthusiastically in events like Bada Mangal Bhandara, Dussehra and Mata Rani’s Jagran held here. This brotherhood has been the beauty of our country for centuries.”
Arif Ali Siddiqui, secretary of the society, said that Avadhpuram and its residents are a living embodiment of the idea that religion does not teach us enmity. “After the roza iftar and namaz in Shiv Vatika, the aarti was conducted in the temple by Pandit Umesh Mishra, with members of the Muslim community also in attendance. This entire event reassures us that the brotherhood ingrained in our blood still flows with the same sentiment,” he said.