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Development of Sufism in the Indo-Pak

Subcontinent During the Sultanate Period
(1206–1526 AD)
Riaz Ahmad
Kishwar Sultana

Abstract

The Sufi traditions are deeply rooted in the socio-cultural pattern of

India and Pakistan. It comprises a number of silsilas (orders). The
practices of the Chishti and Suhrawardy silsilas, in particular, gained
ground in the period between 1206-1526. The Sultans and Muslim
rulers patronized the growth and establishment of these traditions. In
this paper the role, activities and preachings of a number of sufi saints
such as Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti, Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, Sh.
Fariduddin Ganj-i-Shakar, Kh. Nizamuddin Aulia, Sh. Bahauddin
Zakariya Suhrawardy, Sh. Sadruddin Suhrawardy and Sh. Ruknuddin
Abul Fatah (Rukn-e-Alam) have been highlighted. These saints were
highly respected both by the rulers and the people not only in their
lifetime but even afterwards.

Introduction

The Sultanate of Delhi was established in 1206 AD when

Qutbuddin Aibak declared himself as first Sultan of Delhi following the
death of his master Sultan Shihabuddin Mohammad Ghori1 . With
Qutbuddin Aibak the rule of Ilbari Turk (slave dynasty) started in
which he was followed by other slave Sultans like Shamsuddin
Iltutmish, Nasiruddin Mahmud and Ghiasuddin Balban. The Khilji
1
Minhaj Siraj, Tabaqat-i-Nasiri Vol.I (Urdu translation from Persian by Ghulam Rasool
Mehr under the supersion of Syed Hussamauddin Rashidi), Lahore, Markazi Urdu Board,
1975, p. 742. see also S. M.Ikram, History of Muslim Civilization in India and Pakistan,
Lahore, Institute of Islamic Culture, 1976.

Vol. 32, No.2, December 2009