Amir Khusrau
- 13th-century Sufi poet, musician, and scholar.
- Known as the “Tuti-yi-Hind” or ‘Parrot of India’ for his eloquence in Persian literature.
- Born as Abu’l Hasan Yamin ud-Din Khusrau in Patiali, Etah district, Uttar Pradesh.
Key Contributions:
- Literary Achievements:
- Developed Hindavi, a precursor to modern Hindi and Urdu.
- Blended Persian, Arabic, and Indian traditions in his works.
- Notable works: Divans (poetry collections), Mathnawis (narrative poetry), and various treatises.
Musical Contributions:
- Created new ragas and musical forms like Khayal and Tarana.
- Introduced the art of Ghazal and Qawwali in Sufi music traditions.
- Credited with inventing musical instruments such as the sitar and tabla.
Role in the Delhi Sultanate:
- Served under five Sultans: Muiz ud din Qaiqabad, Jalaluddin Khalji, Alauddin Khalji, Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah, and Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq.
- Honored with the title “Amir” by Sultan Jalaluddin Khalji.
Sufi Influence: Devoted disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya, which deeply influenced his poetry and music.
What Is Sufism?
- The mystical, spiritual dimension of Islam focusing on love, devotion, and inner purification.
- Emerged between the 7th and 10th centuries CE as a reaction against rigid religious orthodoxy.
- Core Beliefs:
- Emphasis on personal connection with God through devotion, self-discipline, and renunciation.
- Parallel to the Bhakti Movement in Hinduism, both promoting love and inner realization over ritualism.
- Core Practices:
- Organized in khanqahs (spiritual centers) under a master (shaikh or pir).
- Silsilas (Orders) linking disciples to divine guidance.
- Practices include zikr (remembrance of God), sama (musical recitals), and Fana-o-Baqa (spiritual dissolution for union with God).
- Sufism in India:
- Early Sufi: Al-Hujwiri (author of Kashf-ul Mahjub).
- Flourished in the 13th–14th centuries, promoting compassion and love through the concept of Sulh-e-Kul (peace with all).
Major Sufi Orders in India
- Chishti Order:
- Founded by Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer.
- Focused on love, service, and humanitarianism.
- Notable figures: Akbar, Qutbuddin Bhaktiyar Kaki, Nizamuddin Auliya, Amir Khusrau.
- Suhrawardi Order:
- Founded by Bahauddin Zakaria in Multan.
- Combined mysticism with luxury and state support.
- Naqshbandi Order:
- Emphasized Shariat (Islamic law) and opposed innovations like Sama.
- Aurangzeb was a follower.
- Rishi Order (Kashmir):
- Founded by Shaikh Nuruddin Wali.
- Rooted in Shaivite Bhakti traditions of Kashmir.
Impact of Sufism in India
- Religious:
- Promoted tawhid (oneness of God) and religious tolerance.
- Chishti Order embraced followers from all faiths.
- Social:
- Attracted marginalized communities, weakened caste barriers.
- Established khanqahs and madrasas as centers of learning.
- Cultural:
- Enriched Indian music (notably Qawwali) and vernacular literature.
- Influenced poets like Bulleh Shah and Sultan Bahu.
- Political:
- Inspired Sulh-i-Kul policies of Emperor Akbar promoting religious harmony.
- Rulers patronized Sufis to strengthen authority and manage diversity.
Bhakti and Sufi Movements
| Aspect | Bhakti Movement | Sufi Movement |
| Core Belief | Devotion to a personal God (Saguna/Nirguna) | Love for God (Ishq-e-Haqiqi) and inner purification |
| Rejection of Rituals | Opposed Brahminical dominance and rituals | Provided alternatives to rigid Islamic rituals |
| Emphasis on Love | Bhakti as a path to Moksha | Love to unite with God (Fana – merging with God) |
| Language | Vernacular languages (Hindi, Tamil, Marathi) | Hindavi, Persian, Urdu |
| Music and Poetry | Bhajans and Kirtans (Mirabai, Tulsidas) | Qawwalis and Sufi poetry (Amir Khusrau, Rumi) |
