Sufis and the State
The Chishti tradition emphasized austerity and maintaining a distance from worldly power, although they didn’t isolate themselves entirely from political influence. Sufis accepted donations from political elites, who, in turn, established charitable trusts and granted tax-free land for hospices.
Rather than hoard donations, Chishti sufis used them for immediate needs like food, clothing, shelter, and rituals, enhancing their moral authority. Their piety, scholarship, and reputation for miraculous powers made them popular among people from all backgrounds, sought after by kings for legitimacy.
Kings sought the legitimacy and intercession of sufis, bypassing jurists who advocated imposing shari‘a as state law. Sufis were believed to intercede with God for the benefit of ordinary people, leading kings to desire proximity to sufi shrines and hospices.
While kings and sufis generally cooperated, conflicts arose over rituals and titles. Both expected certain rituals, like prostration and foot kissing, and sometimes sufis were addressed with grand titles, like “sultan-ul-mashaikh” (Sultan among shaikhs).
Chapter 6 The Chishtis in the Subcontinent| Class 12 History Notes
The Chishtis were a prominent Sufi group who migrated to India. They played a significant role in shaping Islamic spirituality in the Indian subcontinent. In this article, you will get detailed notes on The Chishtis in the Subcontinent from Chapter 6 of your Class 12 History textbook.
Chapter 6 The Chishtis in the Subcontinent| Class 12 History Notes