By TwoCircles.net Special Correspondent,
Lucknow: As people stopped to have a look at the Sibtainabad Imambara in Hazratganj, during the heritage walk on Thursday, January 27, little did they realize that social networking site facebook has been instrumental in its restoration.
Senior officials complimented Mohammad Haider, the caretaker (mutawwalli) of the monument, for his crusade to restore it to its pristine glory. However, Haider admitted that much of the success goes to facebook which connected him to the right people.
Haider at Sibtainabad Imambara
Taking initiative Haider, created a facebook page for Sibtainabad Imambara, first for any historical monument of Lucknow. Soon the number of fans swelled up and all were for the restoration of the Imambara. “Besides providing me the confidence and support, people even came up with suggestions. Some chipped in with legal documents establishing the title of the Imambara,” claimed Haider.
Armed with all the documents Haider began his battle and the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) was woken from its slumber. It was due to the efforts that LDA conducted survey and even removed four motor garages running in the lawns of the monument. Next in line was the ouster of tenants from the premises. There are presently 57 houses and six shops which are located inside the campus. “Most of them have completed their duration of lease and should be evicted,” he added. For it, the chairman, LDA and divisional commissioner Prashant Trivedi has shot off a letter to vice-chairman, LDA directing to initiate steps for eviction.
The construction of Sibtainabad Imambara was started in 1847 by the then Nawab of Awadh, Amjad Ali Shah, whose mausoleum is also situated inside the complex. Later, it was completed by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. The Imambara was briefly used as a church during the British period. Declared as a heritage monument in 1919, the building came into hands of Lucknow Improvement Trust (later LDA) in 1921, which allotted various residential portions.
The present caretaker, Haider took over in 2008 after his appointment by Shia Waqf Board. Armed with a law degree, Haider is also a legal consultant for a private telecom company. In his 30s, Haider is now regarded as a new icon among the community whose efforts gave new lease of life to the Imambara.