Karbala Gamay Shah is located on Mall Road in Lahore. It is one of the most prominent locations in Shi’a processions. Today, it is owned by the Qizalbaash family, later on when Gamay Shah, the man himself, had died. Thus, the route of processions starts from the Old Fort City of Lahore of Nisar/Mubarak Haveli, also the estate of the Qizalbaash family, which then leads all the way to Karbala Gamay Shah. The 40th day after Imam Hussein’s (a.s) martyrdom, and the 28th of Safar jaloos are prominent for this route.
Gamay Shah, actually named Baba Syed Ghulam Ali Shah, was a fakir (either a beggar or an old worshipper) on the 9th day of Muharram would carry out processions to the extent he could afford and do. A tazia(a replica of a the graves of the AhlulBayt) was carried by Gamay Shah every year. It was a of a small size just enough for him to carry it on his head, and large enough for it to be visible from afar. Gamay Shah had spent his life doing so.
Gamay Shah’s procession took place during the era of Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Lahore. There are various accounts for what the meeting between Gamay Shah and Ranjit Singh was like, the most viable was as follows.
On one of the days whilst Gamay Shah was mid-mourning walking down Mall Road, chanting for Hussein Ibn Ali (a.s), Gamay Shah bumped into a horseman to his side. Not knowing, this horse was carrying the Great Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
“How dare you harm the Maharaja’s horse!” – Shouted a cavalryman in the Maharaja’s entourage.
“I have no Maharaja, I have only my Badshah Hussein!”, Gamay Shah responds shrugging the men away and continues on his way.
The Maharaja was intrigued by this display, so he calls on Gamay Shah and asks him of the man he mourns. Gamay Shah then sits with the Maharaja and tells him the story of Karbala and how the family of the Prophet(Pbuh) were massacred by the followers of the Prophet(Pbuh).
Various accounts support the decisions of the Maharaja that were taken after Gamay Shah told the story. Some accounts have amplified it by saying Gamay Shah was placed in jail, and later when released laid dead near a land which was named Gamay Shah after him for his devotion. In reality, two accounts offer a more realistic approach.
The administrative account shows, that the Maharaja respected all religions and allowed for different religions to prosper in without conflict between them. Thus, the Maharaja awarded Gamay Shah a large chunk of land on Mall Road where he would be allowed to carry out his processions and do it in a proper manner.
The more sentimental account, that the Maharaja knew of Hussein Ibn Ali, since Guru Nanak himself was a believer of Hussein Ibn Ali and had immense respect for him, and out of the love of the Guru and his openness, The Maharaja awarded a large area for Gamay Shah to tell the story to other members of society and host them with ease.
Gamay Shah passed away promoting Shi’ism and the processions that take place in Lahore, but immense credit would be awarded to the Maharaja. Hence, it is known as the gift to Lahore, by Ranjit Singh, to Hussein Ibn Ali, the place of worship, Karbala Gamay Shah.
Maria Khuzari – Folk & History at AGC
