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Barkas | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 17°18′47″N78°28′58″E / 17.31306°N 78.48278°E | |
Country | India |
State | Telangana |
District | Hyderabad |
Metro | Hyderabad |
Established | 1903 |
Founded by | Nizam Mir Mahboob Ali Khan Siddiqi Bayafendi Asaf Jah VI |
Named for | Barracks |
Government | |
• Body | GHMC |
Languages | |
• Official | Arabic, Urdu |
Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
PIN | 500 005 |
Vehicle registration | TS |
Lok Sabha constituency | Hyderabad |
Vidhan Sabha constituency | Chandrayangutta |
Planning agency | GHMC |
Website | telangana |
Barkas is a neighborhood in Hyderabad, India, located in the old city area of Hyderabad. The name "Barkas" is believed to be derived from the English word "Barracks". The old Arabs pronounced Barracks as Barkas in their Arabic flow. Barkas served as the military Barracks of the Nizam of Hyderabad.
The Chaush were brought from Yemen to work in the former Hyderabad State as military men for the Nizams. It is said that especially when it came to safeguarding the Deccan, the 7th Nizam had absolute trust on these Arabs. [1] Another less popular version states that "The name 'Barkas' is derived from 'Wadiya Barkas', which was a colony in Saudi Arabia. A regiment from Barkas in Arabia had been called to Hyderabad. Thus most of the residents of this colony were originally inhabitants of Yemen and Arabia."
Before Indian independence, Barkas served as the military Barracks of the Nizam of Hyderabad. The Nizams were surrounded by hostile rulers in the Deccan and chose to employ Arabs instead of the local military for the safeguarding of his family. These Arabs formed the bulk of the Nizams' personal army and were more reliable as they could not defect to the rival states unlike locals and were trustworthy.
Many mentions state that the last Nizam loved their trait of Loyalty and trusted them more than anyone else. The Arab population increased during this period, settling in mainly in barracks on the outskirts of the walled, gated city.
Barkas is known for its vibrant culture that reflects the rich heritage of its predominantly Yemeni community. This unique culture is characterized by a strong sense of community, traditional hospitality, and specific social practices. [2]
Community and Togetherness
The residents of Barkas are known for their deep-rooted sense of community and togetherness. Families often gather in communal spaces, fostering strong familial ties and friendships. The spirit of mehmaan nawazgi (hospitality) is particularly prominent, with Barkas residents taking pride in welcoming guests and ensuring they feel at home. This tradition is celebrated throughout Hyderabad, as locals are known for their generous and warm hospitality.
Architecture
A defining feature of homes in Barkas is the majlis, a traditional gathering area where family and friends come together to socialize, discuss matters of importance, and share meals. The majlis serves as a cultural cornerstone, promoting social interaction and reinforcing bonds within the community. It is not uncommon for gatherings to involve discussions on various topics, from community issues to personal stories, further strengthening the communal ties.
Language and Communication
The primary language spoken in Barkas is Urdu, Arabic spoken by mostly elders reflecting the Yemeni heritage of its inhabitants. which facilitates communication within the diverse population of Hyderabad. The bilingualism enriches cultural expression, allowing for a blend of Yemeni and Hyderabadi traditions in everyday life.
Ramadan Celebrations
Ramadan nights in Barkas are especially vibrant, marked by a series of communal activities and religious observances. Families prepare elaborate iftar meals to break their fasts, often inviting neighbors and friends to join in the celebrations. The atmosphere during Ramadan is one of joy and spirituality, with homes and streets adorned for the occasion, creating a festive ambiance. Tarawih, communal gatherings, and cultural exchanges during this month further highlight the strong communal spirit of Barkas.
The Arab lungi izaar in Arabic (إِزَار), also known as Maʿawaz (مَعَوَز), Futah (فُوطَة), Wizar (وِزَار), Maqtab (مَقْطَب) is a traditional garment made from high-quality rayon fabric on handlooms. It is known for its softness and comfort, making it suitable for the hot climate of the region. The lungi is stitched in the middle and is designed to be round, allowing for ease of movement. Due to its craftsmanship and the quality of material used, the Arab lungi is relatively expensive.
In contrast to the lungi, the taiban is a rectangular piece of cloth that is open at all four corners and is not stitched in the middle. Generally made from a thicker fabric, the taiban offers a different style of draping, allowing it to be worn in various ways. This garment is favored for its versatility and is commonly worn.
The jubbah, also referred to as thawb, kandura, or dishdasha, is a long, flowing robe worn by men. It is characterized by its modest design and is typically ankle-length, providing coverage while allowing for comfort. The jubbah can be made from various materials, depending on the occasion and the weather. It is often adorned with embroidery or patterns and is a staple in formal and religious settings.
The mushajarah, also known as ghutrah or shemagh, is a traditional headscarf worn by men. Made from lightweight cotton, it is usually white or checkered in design. The mushajarah is worn to protect the head and face from the sun and dust. This garment serves not only practical purposes but also symbolizes cultural identity and heritage.
The traditional footwear associated with Barkas is known as naal in Arabic but is more commonly referred to as Arba Chappal in Hyderabad. These sandals are typically made from leather and are characterized by their durability and comfort. They are designed to complement traditional attire and are often worn during both casual and formal occasions.
Barkas houses a lot of mosques especially the 'Jama'a Masjid'.
Barkas Maidan, historically significant during the Nizam's rule, served as a vital training and gathering ground for the army. Located in the Barkas area of Hyderabad, this maidan was essential for military drills and exercises, reflecting the strategic importance of the Yemeni troops who settled in the region.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Nizam's relied on these troops for their loyalty and military prowess. The maidan facilitated various military functions, including parades and ceremonial events, underscoring its role as a center for the military.
'Mandi Road' which is the main road of Barkas going to the Shamshabad Airport from Chandrayangutta crossroads. It is lined with many restaurants serving a variety of Arab cuisine. This road is named after the most popular Arab dish - the Mandi. [3]
The cuisine of Barkas is a reflection of its Yemeni heritage, enriched by various influences. It features of traditional dishes, introduced by the Chaush or Arab community.
Notable dishes include Marag, Murtabaq, Shorba, Harira, Mandi, Kabsa. Other popular items are Tas Kabab, Lukhmi, Sheer Khurma, Qubani Ka Meetha and Malida.
Barkas also showcases Arabic dishes such as Majboos, and Shawarma. A local specialty is a sweet version of Harees, available exclusively in Barkas. [4] Recently, Mandi, a Yemeni rice dish, has gained popularity, leading to the opening of several restaurants in the area. [3]
Barkas is home to "Jaundice Medicine Barkas", a non-profit organization providing free medication for Jaundice disease. The organisation is led by a team from Al Qureshi tribe.[ citation needed ]
Sabil Ul Khair is another non-profit organization established in Barkas by Shaikh Saleh Bin Salam Bahattab catering to the social development of the area. And it offers various schemes for the social development of the locals, like providing funds for the marriage of girls belonging to poor households, funeral services etc.
Barkas also has a non-profitable organization called "Bait-ul-Maal". The sole intent of this organization is to help needy people and looking for the betterment of communities.
Hadhramaut is a geographic region in southern part of Arabian Peninsula encompassing mainly of the governorates of Hadhramaut, Shabwa, and al-Mahra in Yemen. It sometimes includes Aden, Abyan, and Lahij governorates in Yemen, Dhofar in south-western Oman and Sharurah in southern Saudi Arabia. The name is of ancient origin, and is retained in the name of the Yemeni Governorate of Hadhramaut. The people of Hadhramaut are called the Hadharem. They formerly spoke Hadramautic, an old South Arabian language, but they now predominantly speak Hadhrami Arabic.
A sarong or a sarung is a large tube or length of fabric, often wrapped around the waist, worn in Southeast Asia, South Asia, Western Asia, Northern Africa, East Africa, West Africa, and on many Pacific islands. The fabric often employs woven plaid or checkered patterns or may be brightly colored by means of batik or ikat dyeing. Many modern sarongs have printed designs, often depicting animals or plants. Different types of sarongs are worn in different places in the world, notably the lungi in the Indian subcontinent and the izaar in the Arabian Peninsula.
The abaya, sometimes also called an aba, is a simple, loose over-garment, essentially a robe-like dress, worn by some women in the Muslim world including most of the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of the Horn of Africa. Traditional abayas are usually black and may either be a large square of fabric draped from the shoulders or head or a long kaftan. The abaya covers the whole body except the head (sometimes), feet, and hands. It can be worn with the niqāb, a face veil covering all but the eyes. Some women also wear long black gloves, so their hands are covered as well. It is common that the abaya be worn on special occasions, such as mosque visits, Islamic holiday celebrations for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, and also during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
Haleem is a type of stew that is widely consumed in South Asia, the Middle East and Central Asia. Although the dish varies from region to region, it optionally includes wheat or barley, meat and lentils. It is made by slow cooking the meat in lentils and spices. It is served hot with flat breads or on its own. Popular variations of haleem include keşkek in Turkey, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and northern Iraq; harisa in the Arab world and Armenia; halim in Afghanistan, Iran, West Bengal, in Mauritius, Pakistan and Bangladesh; and khichra in India.
The Chaush or Chaus are a community who are of Hadhrami Arab descent. They are found in the Deccan region of India.
Arab cuisine collectively refers to the regional culinary traditions of the Arab world, consisting of the Maghreb and the Mashriq. These cuisines are centuries old and reflect the culture of trading in ingredients, spices, herbs, and commodities among the Arabs. The regions have many similarities, but also unique traditions. They have also been influenced by climate, cultivation, and mutual commerce.
Hyderabadi Muslims, also referred to as Hyderabadis, are a community of Deccani people, from the area that used to be the princely state of Hyderabad in the regions of Marathwada, Telangana, and Kalyana-Karnataka.
Mandi is a traditional dish that originated from the Hadhramaut region in Yemen. It consists mainly of meat and rice with a blend of spices, and is cooked in a pit. It is consumed in most areas of the Arabian Peninsula and also found in Egypt, the Levant, Turkey, Kerala and Southeast Asia.
Kabsa or makbūs/machbūs is an Arabian mixed rice dish that originates from Saudi Arabia or Yemen. It is commonly regarded as a national dish in all the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council. It can also be found in regions such as southern Iran and Gaza in Palestine.
Hyderabadi cuisine, also known as Deccani cuisine, is the cooking style characteristic of the city of Hyderabad and its surrounding area in Telangana, India.
Saudi Arabian cuisine varies according to the diverse landscapes and regions of the country. The environmental, geographic, and cultural diversity within this vast area has led to a wide variety of dishes. Saudi Arabia encompasses different regions, resulting in cuisines from the Central region, Eastern, Southern and Western regions. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia's position along global trade routes has led to the introduction of various spices.
Hyderabadi haleem is a type of haleem popular in the Indian city of Hyderabad. Haleem is a stew composed of meat, lentils, and pounded wheat made into a thick paste. It is originally an Arabic dish and was introduced to the Hyderabad State by the Chaush people during the rule of the Nizams. Local traditional spices helped a unique Hyderabadi haleem evolve, that became popular among the native Hyderabadis by the 20th century.
The Hadharem are an Arabic-speaking ethnographic group indigenous to the Hadhramaut region in the Arabian Peninsula, which is part of modern-day Yemen. The spoken language of the Hadharem is Hadhrami Arabic. Among the two million inhabitants of Hadhramaut, there are about 1,300 distinct tribes.
Arabs in India are people with Arab origins who have over a long period of time, settled in the Indian subcontinent. There have been extensive trade and cultural links between India and the Arab world spanning several millennia. The west coast region of India, especially Malabar and Konkan coasts were active trading hubs, where Arab merchants frequently used to visit on their way to Sri Lanka and South East Asia. Over a span of several centuries, migrants from different Arabian nations immigrated to various regions and kingdoms of the Indian subcontinent as merchants, missionaries and through intermarriages.
The Marfa is a form of celebratory rhythmic music and dance from Hyderabad, India, among the Hyderabadi Muslims, adapted from Afro-Arab music of Hadhramawt in Yemen. It is played at a high tempo using instruments such as marfa, daff, dhol, sticks, steel pots and wooden strips called thapi. The chorus effects and vocal meter are set according to beats.
An izaar, also izar or ʾizār, also known as maʿawaz (مَعَوَز), futah (فُوطَة), wizar (وِزَار), maqtab (مَقْطَب) is a traditional lower garment that is frequently used by men in Oman, Somalia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Izaars are commonly used in Yemen, it is commonly referred to as maʿawaz (مَعَوَز). It is also used by some in Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and the Horn of Africa. A white izaar is typically worn underneath thawbs in Oman and the UAE instead of sirwal sunnnah.
The Hyderabad State Forces were the armed forces of the princely state of Hyderabad. People from both India and abroad were recruited into the Forces. Among these groups were Arab nationals like Chaush and African nationals like Siddis who now stay in Barkas and A. C. Guards areas of Hyderabad respectively. The Hyderabad cavalry was chiefly composed of Muslim castes such as Mughals, Pathans, Syeds, Sheikhs and Balochs. They were principally recruited from the Deccan, but Delhi, Lucknow, Shahjahanpur, Sindh and Balochistan also supplied recruits to bolster ranks. These non-indigenous soldiers were known as the "Rohollas". The Hindus made a very small portion of the cavalry. The Nizam of Hyderabad also had about 1200 Sikh guards. Other battalions within the army were referred to with the suffix "-walas". Some troops were also supplied by the Europeans for the security of the Nizam.
Qatari cuisine is made up of traditional Arab cuisine. Machbūs, a meal consisting of rice, meat, and vegetables, is the national dish in Qatar, typically made with either lamb or chicken and slow-cooked to give it a depth of flavour. Seafood and dates are staple food items in the country. Many of these dishes are also used in other countries in the region because they share many commonalities. In other parts of the region, some of the dishes have different names or use slightly different ingredients. One proponent of the importance of Qatar's culinary heritage is chef Noor Al Mazroei, who adapts traditional recipes to include vegan and gluten-free alternatives.
A thawb is an Arab garment mainly worn by inhabitants of the Middle East and North Africa. The thawb is long-sleeved ankle-length traditional robe; it is worn by men and women with regional variations in name and style. Depending on local traditions, a thawb can be worn in formal or informal settings; in the Gulf states thawbs are the main formal attire for men. It is also worn by Muslim men in the Indian subcontinent due to its modest appearance, and is believed to be a sunnah, and it is commonly referred to as a jubbah there. The etymology of the word “thawb,” the history and origin of the robe, its regional styles and versions, and its modern use help to characterize and differentiate the thawb from other traditional Arabic clothes.