SUFISM IN KASHMIR 25

Sufism in Kashmir can be traced back to the 14th century with the arrival of Hazrat Bulbul Shah, but the most influential figure was undoubt edly Mir Sayyid Ali Shah Hamdani, a Persian Sufi mystic from the city of Hamdan in Iran. Ac companied by disciples of his numbering a 700, many of whom settled in the valley, his teachings were based on the concepts of “Tawheed” (oneness of God), “Taqwa” (God-fearing piety), “Ikhlas” (purity), and “Unity”. He also played a sig nificant role in the development of crafts in the valley. After his passing in 1384 CE, a shrine was constructed in his honor on the Jhelum river in Srinagar, which was later rebuilt in the 18th century after it was damaged.

Most Sufi orders or silsilas in Kashmir, such as the Naqshbandi, the Qadris, the Suhrawardi, and the Kubrawi, have origins in Iran and Central Asia, except for the order of Rishis, which originated in the valley itself. Despite this, the Sufi saints gained immense popularity in a short time. The Mongol invasions, which had a significant impact on the socio-economic condition of the valley, also contributed to the growth of Sufism as scholars and Sufis from all over sought refuge from the scourge of the Mongols.

Sufism promoted the idea of “religious humanism”, stressing concepts such as “compassion”, “love”, and “humility”, and aimed to eradicate social ills like caste discrimination that were deeply rooted and normalized in the valley and elsewhere. Sufism has traits that can be traced back to both Islamic and Hindu traditions, serving as a connective bridge between the two prominent communities of Kashmir. Such a connection promotes secularity and peace amongst so many barriers that have become a necessity in today’s world. Sufism instills a sense of tolerance in individuals to accept the other which stands as a quintessential value to be instilled in this world of polarization.