Dewait

History

Dewait is the Place of Sa'adaat. The name was derived from Shah Deyat a Persian word means Blood Money. The town Dewait was donated by the King Haribans of Mehnagar to "Meer Sarfatah Husain" (Meera Baba—a well known name among neighboring villages), against the blood shedding of Sa'adaat. Martyr Sa'adaats are believed to have been migrated from the area of Babun Nahar Persian city of Iran. In these years many of Shiites of central Asia took refuge in India.

Few centuries ago, a Noble Family of Ahl-e-Sa'adaat, migrated from the Holy City of Babun Nahar Persian city of Iran to India. Some of them permanently settled near Azamgarh city, a UP district, and named the area as Babun Nahar in the memory of their native village name. But now it is called Sapnahar (a modified name from Babun Nahar then babnahar and now Sapnahar) and is a km away from present Dewait. Only the graveyard of Meer Sarfatah Husain (Meera Baba) is there, which now became a worship place for non Muslims. Muslims go there only on Shab-e-Barat, an Islamic religion occasion, for offering prayers.

Population, religion and demography

Dewait has an estimated total population of approximately 10,000 to 15,000 people including those of the adjoining areas. Residents of Dewait are referred as Azmi because of Azamgarh District.

Approximately 300 to 500 people of the Muslims are Twelver Shiites from the Rizvi Clan.

Social, educational and religious developments

It is a great privilege and honour for Dewait to be having always the great and renowned religious scholar and theologian like, Syed Mohd Ibrahim (Great Hakeem and religious scholar), Maulana Syed Mansoor Hasan (Great Religious Scholar), Syed Mohd. Hasan Zaidi (Great Hakeem and religious scholar), Syed Zafar Mahdi Zaidi (Great Hakeem and religious scholar) and Maulana Syed Ali Ansar (religious scholar). In present time Maulana Syed Itrat Husain is one of a very knowledgeable religious scholar of the area who is presently undergoing Islamic research in Iran. His vision is very high about Dewait and is planning to make Dewait an educational Hub. Maulana Syed Gulam Abbas is doing his best to propagate real Islam and presently he is undergoing Islamic research in Syria and Maulana Syed Aqeel is also undergoing Islamic research in Iran.

Other than religious Scholars, Dewait has so many highly educated people like, Dr. Aijaz A. Zaidi (scientist presently working at I.H.B.T. Palampur (H.P. INDIA), Syed Husain Abbas (living in USA, presently working in Malasiya), Syed Reyaz Husain (IIT engineer), Syed Manzar Husain (engineer in UAE) Syed Farogh Zaidi System Engineer (Working in Australia), Dr. Kumail A. Zaidi ( Well Known Physician), Saheem A. Zaidi ( Presently pursuing Ph.D in U.S.A.)and Sabika Zaidi (occupational therapist), Falak Zaidi (currently pursuing architecture), etc. Presently, all are having remarkable position over the globe.

Further, in due course of time, this area has developed and become the centre of social, educational and religious activities. A few big and small worship places, ImamBargah, Madarsa, Primary schools, and High-schools have been formed from time to time and are running successfully. Imambara Jafariya Qadeem, Imambara Alamdar-e-Husaini, Imambara Abu Torab, Imambara Abu Talib, Karbala Rauza-e-Imam Husain (A.S.) and Rauza-e-Imam-e-Zamana (A.S.) are the places which are contributing to the cause of azadari and these are centres of social gatherings.

Anjuman Farogh-e-Aza is the oldest Anjuman. Anjuman Asghariya is the youth wing of Farogh-e-Aza. Everyone is either affiliated to Farogh-e-Aza or Anjuman Asghariya. Unlimited religious activities are performed by both Anjumans round the year. Almost every Zakir, religious scholar of the country has visited Dewait once or more to participate in Majlises organized by villagers. Imambada Jafariya of Dewait is a major place of Azadari. Outside Dewait people formed their united Anjuman named Anjuman Alamdariya Bombay.

Late Syed Afzal Husain (former Pardhan) was a religious scholar and has done a lot for Anjuman Alamdariya, Bombay and Anjuman Farogh-e-Aza, Dewait. He was the person who had institutionalized and streamlined the activities of Anjumans and was instrumental in making it financially strong. He also served as the President of Dargah-e-Aliya Jogi Pura. During all his years with the Dargah-e-Aliya Jogi Pura, he did not stop working for Dewait and constructed a house "Azamgarh Apartment" for all Azamgarh people.

Youths of Dewait have formed one more Anjuman in Bombay Anjuman Mashk-e-Sakina. Azeem Azmi is the poet of this Anjuman and his Nauhe are very famous and world recognized specially in beautiful sound of Najaf Azmi.

Juloos-e-Arbaien (Chehlum-Taboot 18 Bani Hashim) of Dewait is very famous Juloos of Utter Pradesh, India. This is organized by Anjuman Farogh-e-Aza every year on 21st of Safar (Hijri month).

People outside Dewait and their religious activities

Mumbai is believed to have the largest people of Dewait population outside Dewait. The majority of people live in clusters in Govandi and other areas of Mumbai like Andheri, Mira Road, Mumbra, Bandra, Kurla and Navi Mumbai. Most of the people were settled in Dongri an area in South Mumbai and Kalyan. Few of them are very famous in Bombay like Master Syed Iftekhar Husain and Syed Zulfequar Ali because of their active participation in all the religious programs and social activities.

Second biggest group from Dewait are in Gulf region - Saudi Arabia, UAE, etc. Syed Hasnain Haider who has done lot of for youths of Dewait, after his continue and consistent effort now many youths of Dewait are settled and established in UAE.

Third come Delhi and NCR where some people with roots from Dewait lives like Nehal Azmi, Nadeem Husain G/O Late S Afzal Husain/Maulvi Ali Ansar Sahab.

Notable people

Dewait is famous for its knowledge and contribution to Urdu literature. It has given several renowned of poets and compilers like Syed Afzal Husain, Syed Zainul Abedeen, Syed Ali Jafar (Alam), Syed Ghulam Sarwar, Syed Ali Mohd and Syed Tauqeer, etc.