Abstract
Sufism has been a dynamic phenomenon of the Muslim society in Medieval India which impacted
the state as well. It is interesting to note that the ebb and flow of the Muslim state and the Sufi dynamism
coincided in an amazing way. If Sultan Ala ud Din Khalji’s reign was the zenith of Delhi Sultanate;
Nizamud-Din Auliya (a contemporary of the Sultan) set Chishti Silsila on strong traditions unknown in the
past. Similarly, in the Mughal period if Akbar the Great was strong enough to present a new religious order
for a pluralistic society, Bhagti thoughts were widely prevalent in the country. This parallel development of
the state and the mysticism needs a special attention to explore the nature of relationship between the two.
Though keeping itself at a distance from the officialdom and detesting state’s maneuverings, Sufism seems
to have consolidated the Muslim rule in the region, indirectly. Moreover, all Sufi circles were not averse to
having ties with the government. The Soharwardi Sufis were prominent in this respect. It implies that
Sufism has political dimensions, although on its own terms. These dimensions are to be determined in
historical context.
Apart from discussing the political aspects of Sufism, the study will throw light on the nature of
Muslim politics of the medieval ages as a two-way phenomenon. As politics is characterized by
materialism, the discussion proceeds to the evaluation of Sufism in materialistic terms as well. Sufism is
said to have a socialist approach; hence the Marxist frame can be consulted in understanding the
phenomenon. This may help to develop a parallel conceptual and theoretical framework addressing the Sufi
thoughts throughout the ages.
Dr Muhammad Raza Taimoor. (2021) Political Dimensions of Sufism An Interpretive Study of Sufi-State Relationship in Medieval India, Journal of the Research Society of Pakistan, Volume-58, Issue-2.
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