History

Dada Raju was one of the important military commanders of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. In the war of succession, he sided with Dara Shikoh and Shah Jahan and opposed Aurangzeb for his treatment to his father and his religious intolerance. As dada Raju did not suppress his feelings, Aurangzeb came to know about him. He dispatched his trusted soldiers to track down Dada Raju who took shelter in the forest near his native place Jogirampura. Since he belonged to a Syed family of repute, the villagers extended full support to him and emperor’s troops could not get a wind of their target. Knowing very well the cunningness of Aurangzeb, Dada Raju was aware that Emperor would continue to hunt him and have him executed as he did with other sympathizers of Shah Jahan and Dara. The execution of Sufi Sarmad and beheading of Dara was still fresh in his mind. He spent his days and nights in the thick forest, reciting continuously Naad-e-Ali and Ya Ali Adrikni. His cries for help from Maula Ali got desperate when someone tipped him that the royal troops were camping close to his village and making queries about his whereabouts. And then the miracle occurred when one day a Hindu farmer went to cut grass in the forest. He was an old man with poor eyesight. Suddenly, he confronted a striking handsome man riding a horse who asked about Dada Raju. The rider told the farmer to tell Dada Raju that whom he had been calling had arrived. The old man told the rider that he won’t be able to locate dada Raju as he was almost blind. At his reply, the rider who was none other than Maula Ali himself looked at his eyes and the farmer in few moments started seeing every thing clearly as a youth. Before the startled farmer could utter or recover from his bewilderment, Maula Ali ordered him to go by running and call Dada Raju. The feeble farmer searched for dada Raju like a sprinter and delivered the message to him after finding him. Dada Raju immediately understood who was asking for him. He set off immediately for the place identified by farmer. Seeing him run, villagers thought the troops of Aurangzeb had raided the area to arrest Dada Raju. They too followed him. Upon reaching the place, Dada Raju saw the foot of horse where Hazrat Ali but Maula himself had disappeared.. Dada Raju with the help of villagers of Jogirampura covered the place. While villagers returned home, Dada Raju sat on that place where Hazrat Ali had arrived. He remained in a state of shock and continued to remain at the holy spot for seven days without food and water. He was disappointed at having lost the opportunity of Maula’s Ziarat( Glimpse).He again started reciting Yaa Ali Adrikni and Maula Ali blessed him with his divine appearance after seven days. Even before Dada Raju could speak a single word, Maula assured him not to worry about Aurangzeb and said “no one will touch you, you are safe from them.” With tears in his eyes, Raju requested in a shaking voice ‘Aaqa’ (Master) I want some of your blessings for the people who have taken care of me in most trying times” In reply to his emotional appeal, it is reported that three miracles happened on the spot milk sprouted from the ground, a well emerged with water of good smell and finally the mud where Hazrat Ali stood also gave fine smell and exhibited medicinal properties upon application later by the devotees. Dada Raju spent his remaining life as caretaker of the spot while the villagers erected a simple shrine.

Maula Ali is revered by both Muslims and non- Muslims of the village. Hindus willingly offer their fields for pitching of tents and they also serve them as guests of their ‘devta’. This harmony dates back to the time of Dada Raju whose grave is also near Dargah and is also visited by devotees, for it was his call for help that was answered by Maula ‘Mushkil Kusha’- a popular title given to Hazrat Ali for his eagerness to help the needy.

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