By Ishita Roy
The first month of the Islamic calendar, Muharram or Mohram, marks the beginning of the new Islamic year and is considered as the second holiest divine month, right after Ramadan. For Shia Muslims, it is also a period of intense mourning, in remembrance of Imam Hussain, grandson of Prophet Muhammad, who was martyred at the Battle of Karbala on the 10th of Mohram, also known as Ashura. For the Sunni Muslims, this is a sacred month, and Ashura is often observed with fasting. However, for many who do not know, the day is also observed by a sect of Brahmins, known as the Hussaini Brahmins or the Mohyal Brahmins. The Brahmins Who Mourn On Muharram There are many different stories on who are these people of the Hindu community observing and grieving on Muharram. It is said that at the time of the battle of Karbala, Rahab Sidh Datt, a Hindu trader sacrificed his seven sons for Imam Hussain. It is believed that Datt was closely associated with Prophet Muhammad’s family. Before we get into the history of who are the Hussaini Brahmins, let us first understand a little about Muharram. The day of Ashura, observed in the month of Muharram holds deep historical and emotional significance to Muslims around the world. Fourteen centuries ago, it was on this day, when Imam Hussain, grandson of Prophet Muhammed was martyred in the Battle of Karbala, along with his young son and many other loyal companions. The battle was fought against tyranny and injustice, and to uphold the principles even in the face of death. The tragedy of Karbala also brought immense suffering to Imam Hussein’s family. After his martyrdom, the surviving members — including women and children — were taken captive and endured great hardship. Despite the sorrow of this event, Imam Hussein’s unwavering stand for justice, equality, and compassion continues to inspire millions. His sacrifice is remembered not only as a moment of grief but also as a powerful reminder of courage and moral integrity. So, Where Do The Hussaini Brahmins Fit In Here? A Chennai-based journalist Syed Ali Mujtaba writes, “The community of Hussaini Brahmins…they are Hindus but also have faith in Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad”. This community of Hussaini Brahmins pay obeisance to the Hindu idols and photographs, but also keep ‘alam’ – the standard within the emblem of Imam Hussain in the Pooja corner of their houses. Mujtaba notes that the Mohyal Brahmins are a distinct community from the Punjab region, traditionally composed of seven sub-clans: Bali, Bhimwal, Chhibber, Dutt, Lau, Mohan, and Vaid. Among them, the Dutt (or Datt) clan is historically remembered for having fought alongside Imam Hussain during the Battle of Karbala. This remarkable connection is also referenced by T.P. Russell Stracey in History of the Muhiyals: The Militant Brahmin Clan of India, where he recounts a traditional ballad that poetically narrates the Dutts’ presence in Arabia and their role in the events of Karbala. The Origins Of Hussiani Brahmins Sisir Kumar Mitra, in his book The Vision of India, talks about the presence of a large population of Hindus in Arabia that existed before the Battle of Karbala. There are also several stories of a Hindu dynasty ruling in parts of Afghanistan, some call it the Datt Dynasty; however, no official records have been found. Though their timeline, 840 AD to 950 AD, matches the timeline of the Hindu Shahis, also known as the Kabul Shahis and Udi Sahis, whose rule was established between 843 AD and 1026 AD. While no literature survives, it is from Kalhana’s Rajatarangini that we know of the rule. Of the latter, sources like Tārīkh al-Hind by Al-Biruni, Tārīkh-i Bayhaqī by Abu’l-Faḍl Bayhaqi. Zayn al-Akhbar by Abu Sa’id Gardezi, and Kitab-i Yamini by al-Utbi also mention the same. We find another version of the presence of Hindus in Arabia, which is documented by PN Bali, in The History of Mohyals (1986). He writes: “The induction of Datts into Arabia is attributed to the Mahabharat character Ashvathama, who after the treacherous assassination of his father Dronacharya in the epic war, went into voluntary exile and bestrode into Arabia and made home there.” Did The Hussaini Brahmins Help In The Battle Of Karbala? T.P. Russell Stracey recorded the names of seven sons of Datt who had participated in the battle, namely Sahus Rai, Harjas Rai, Sher Khan, Ram Singh, Rai Pun, Dhoro and Pooro. It is said that after Hussain died of thirst in the burning heat on the tenth day of Muharram, Rahab Datt chased the murders as they ran carrying the severed head of Hussain up to Kufa, capital of Yazid. It is believed that the Datts did not lay their arms down till they saw end of Yazid, and Shimr, the commander of Yazid, was killed in cold blood in an encounter in 686 AD. Here, we see a disruption in the timeline suggested earlier. However, as the story continues, the Datts were bestowed with the title of ‘Hussaini Brahmin’, and were treated with great reverence for their sacrifice. The Community Of Hussaini Brahmins Nonica Datta, who is the granddaughter of the Padma Shri awardee Brahm Nath Datta ‘Qasir’, a renowned Urdu-Persian poet and a leading businessman, also writes about the history of their rich lineage. She notes that their lineage is associated with the Dutt/Datt/Datta Brahmins of India and hold a deep connection with “taziya procession in the city of Amritsar”. Historical accounts suggest that around 1,400 Brahmins were living in Baghdad at the time of the Battle of Karbala. Among them were those who chose to stand with Imam Hussain in his fight for justice — a bond of solidarity that transcended geography and faith. Today, descendants of those who trace their lineage to the events of Karbala are found in cities across India — Pune, Delhi, Chandigarh, Amritsar, and Jammu — as well as in Sindh and Lahore in Pakistan, and even in Kabul, Afghanistan. These families continue to identify as Hussaini Brahmins, a unique community shaped by a shared history of courage and sacrifice. Before the Partition, Lahore was home to a large number of Hussaini Brahmins. Though their presence has diminished over time, a small but proud community still identifies as Hussaini Brahmins in Ajmer, Rajasthan. In Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district, a sect of Bhumihar Brahmins also maintains this lineage, quietly preserving the memory of an extraordinary past. The legacy of this rare confluence of cultures lives on in oral traditions too. A well-known saying in Hindi and Urdu, which Mujtaba also notes that celebrates this syncretic identity: “Wah Datt Sultan, Hindu ka dharm, Musalman ka imaan, aadha Hindu aadha Musalman.” (Hail Datt Sultan, who upholds the faith of a Hindu and the conviction of a Muslim — half Hindu, half Muslim.)