Sufism in India

This article is about Sufism. For other uses, see Sufism (disambiguation).

Before passing away, Emperor Jahangir chooses the Sufis over all others (Bichitr, c. 1660)

Sufism has a history in India evolving for over 1,000 years.[1] The presence of Sufism has been a leading entity increasing the reaches of Islam throughout South Asia.[2] Following the entrance of Islam in the early 8th century, Sufi mystic traditions became more visible during the 10th and 11th centuries of the Delhi Sultanate and after it to the rest of India.[3] A conglomeration of four chronologically separate dynasties, the early Delhi Sultanate consisted of rulers from Turkic and Afghan lands.[4] This Persian influence flooded South Asia with Islam, Sufi thought, syncretic values, literature, education, and entertainment that has created an enduring impact on the presence of Islam in India today.[5] Sufi preachers, merchants and missionaries also settled in coastal Gujarat through maritime voyages and trade.

Various leaders of Sufi orders, Tariqa, chartered the first organized activities to introduce localities to Islam through Sufism. Saint figures and mythical stories provided solace and inspiration to Hindu caste communities often in rural villages of India.[5] The Sufi teachings of divine spirituality, cosmic harmony, love, and humanity resonated with the common people and still does so today.[6][7] The following content will take a thematic approach to discuss a myriad of influences that helped spread Sufism and a mystical understanding of Islam, making India a contemporary epicenter for Sufi culture today.

  1. ^ Jafri, Saiyid I Zaheer Husain (2006). The Islamic Path: Sufism, Politics, and society in India. New Delhi: Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
  2. ^ Schimmel, p.346
  3. ^ Schimmel, Anniemarie (1975). "Sufism in Indo-Pakistan". Mystical Dimensions of Islam. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. p. 345.
  4. ^ Walsh, Judith E. (2006). A Brief History of India. Old Westbury: State University of New York. p. 58.
  5. ^ a b Jafri, Saiyid Zaheer Husain (2006). The Islamic Path: Sufism, Politics, and Society in India. New Delhi: Konrad Adenauer Foundation. p. 4.
  6. ^ Zargar, Cyrus Ali. "Introduction to Islamic Mysticism".
  7. ^ Holt, Peter Malcolm; Ann K. S. Lambton; Bernard Lewis (1977). The Cambridge History of Islam. Vol. 2. UK: Cambridge University Press. p. 2303. ISBN 978-0-521-29135-4.