The establishment of Turkish rule in India during c. 1192 AD after defeating Prithvi Raj Chauhan. The establishment of Turkish rule in India brought number of changes in Indian society. Sufi saints came to India along with these Turkish rulers and propagated their ideas. They originally belonged to Persia but once they entered India, it became land of actions as well as their real home. Sufi Movement was a popular movement during 13th – 16th century in India.
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Origin and Teachings of Sufi Movement
Many scholars differently explain the origin of word “Sufi”. Some scholars believes that the word “Sufi” is derived from the word “Safa” which means pure. Thus, the saints who lived a pure life came to known as Sufi Saints. While some scholars also believes that the word “Sufi” came from the Greek word “Sofia”. Those who follows the path of knowledge without coming under the dominance of orthodox elements like Ulemas and Hence, came to known as Sufi Saints.
Many different Silsilahs (different sects of Sufi Movement) came to India under different leader but they propagated in their definite areas which were decided by the basic understanding of Sufi Saints. The Chishti sect was the first who arrived in India under the leadership of Khwaja Mouddin Chishti. After that different sect like Suhravardi, Naqshbandi, Qadiri and Sattari also came to India.
The ideas and teachings were quite common to that of Bhakti Movement. The Sufi saints promoted the liberal form of Islam. They were liberal, progressive and tolerant in their ideas and hence, assimilatory in their outlook. It was strongly influenced the Indian culture as the elements like tradition of teacher and student going in India since ages, was adopted by Sufi saints. The idea of unity of being (wahadat-ul-wuzut) was just a modification of monotheism prevailed in India.
The idea of Anhal Haqq was based on the idea of Ekeshwarvad of Hindu culture. The practice of going before Sheikh, offering water to visitors and shaving the head of new entrants to sect etc. were practices similar to the Hindu practices.
Impact of Sufi Movement
The liberal ideas made significant impact on the Indian society. The ideas of Sufi Movement helped in improving the status of women and lower classes. It helped in liberating untouchables from the inhumane evil practices. It helped in bringing Hindu and Muslim closer and hence, helped in emergence and growth of composite culture. Sufi Movement also contributed in the growth of languages and literature.
The emergence of Urdu language by assimilation of Hindi and Persian was result of Sufis efforts. Malfuzat is the compilation of the conversation of Sufi saints. The letters written by saints to their associates and disciples about their religious experiences and knowledge were compiled in Maktubat tents. The famous book of Kashful Mehzu was written by Sheikh Ali Hujwari. The text of Tajkeras compiled the biographical accounts of Sufi saints.
The ideas of Sufi saints influenced number of rulers of medieval India including Iltutmish, Muhammad bin Tughlaq, Akbar etc. The capital city of Fatehpur Sikri was built by Akbar in the memory of Sufi Saint Salim Chishti. The famous Ajmer Dargah is dedicated to the founder of Chishti sect, Khwaja Mouddin Chishti.
Limitations of Sufi Movement and Bhakti Movement
The efforts made by Sufi saints and Bhakti saints left a lasting impact on the Indian society but they failed in eliminating the socio-religious evils prevailing in the society. Lack of education and awareness among the masses result in peoples failed to appreciate the greatness of the ideas of Bhakti and Sufi saints. The tradition followed by peoples also impacted the greatness of these movements.
The means of communication, especially the means to have communication with common masses were very limited as a result of which the result of Bhakti and Sufi saints could not affect the life of large section of common peoples.
Thus, it was the characterization of these movement which limited their greatness, otherwise they could be game-changer to Indian culture.