Hidden secrets of Khilwat-e-Mubarak Ashoor Khana

The 'Ashoor Khana is a complex having a group of twelve 'Ashoor Khanas in it. It is situated right behind the Panch Mahals towards the Western side of the Charminar. The first five Asif Jahi Sultans lived in Panch Mahals and built a palace each for their residence. The 'Ashoor Khana is right behind the Khilwat Mahal, covering an area of about two acres of land
The Seventh Asif Jahi Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan Bahadur, soon after the completion of' Aza Khana began building the 'Ashoor Khanas one after the other over this land. The construction seems to have no plan as the 'Ashoor Khanas are scattered all over the area.
The buildings of the 'Ashoor Khanas, in general, are simple
structures consisting of a rectangular room. The entrance to the room is
through an arch way. In the middle of each room is a nich having a raised
platform. The Golden 'Alam is installed over this and remains all through
the year.
The entrance to the complex is through an iron gate at the back of Panch Mahals. Close to the entrance gate on both sides of the small ground are two 'Ashoor Khanas. Towards the right side is 'Ashoor Khana-e-Ibnan-e-Muslim, which has an 'Alam made of Gold and two Zaries coated with Gold. These are ascribed to two sons of Hazrat Muslim.
Right opposite this, 'Ashoor Khana is 'Ashoor Khana-e-Zainabiya. It is a big hall having half of its roof built in traditional style with English tiles. It has a golden 'Alam covered with a cloth right in the middle. Beside this 'Alams a Zari ascribed to Imam Hussain is placed over a decorated platform.
Infront of this 'Ashoor Khana is a hall, which is known as Niaz Khana. This hall has a wooden Zari in it alongwith five 'Alams. According to the information carried through for years, this Zari was made with the wood brought from the Rauza of Hazrath Ali in Najaf, by a noble of the Nizam's court Shaheed Yar Jung Bahadur.
The 'Alams installed in every nich belongs to different periods and are of different pattern. The biggest 'Alam which is in the central nich resembles the 'Alam at Alawa-e-Sartooq. The three niches totally have seventeen 'Alams and are known as Tipu Sultan's 'Alams. These are the replicas of the real 'Alams which are preserved in the strong room, as they are studed with very costly jewels. The 'Ashoor Khana beside these 'Alams have a Nishan or Zari which is the replica of the outerside of Imam Hussain's Rauza. This Zari is made of pure gold and is the masterpiece of craftsmanship. Its beauty is its proportion. It is made in the same proportion with which the Rauza of Imam Hussain was built.
Beside this Zari there are six more Nishans or Zaries, one each in Ashoor Khana-e-Abbasi, Ashoor Khana-e-Raza-e-Gareeb, 'Ashoor Khana-e-Hussaini. 'Ashoor Khana-e-Judi 'Ashoor Khana-e-Kazami and 'Ashoor Khana-e-Bibi Batool. These Zaries too are the replicas of the Rauzas of the Imams to whom the 'Ashoor Khanas are ascribe. They are all made of pure gold and are made keeping the same proportion with which the Rauzas were built. Every Zari is a master piece of craftsmanship. One of its unique feature is, that the grave of the Imam can be seen through the arch ways made in the Zari. These Zaries are kept in a glass box in the 'Ashoor Khanas. The Imam Bara is decorated with number of Chandeliers made out of the coloured cut glass, hanging from the roof. In addition to these there are three Tughras, having the names of Panjetan. Two of them are cut out from the wood and the third is written in beautiful Kufi script. A three dimensional painting hanging over the wall behind the Zari, adds to the beauty of the 'Ashoor Khana.
The 'Ashoor Khana preserves in its strong room, three most pious relics. A small piece of the Rida or Chader (a sheet of cloth used to cover the body over the cloths) of Shahzadi Fatima Zehra the daughter of the prophet. It is enclosed in a small wooden box with a convex lense at the top to help the viewers to see it clearly. A thick paper. Which carries signatures of twenty one Sultans, testifying the authenticity of the relic is preserved alongwith it.
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