Sufi Silsilas – Chishti Order (Moinuddin Chishti, Nizamuddin Auliya)
Medieval History › Bhakti and Sufi Movement · Topic 5.8
The Chishti order, named after Chisht in Afghanistan, was brought to India by Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, who settled at Ajmer after about 1192. His successors Bakhtiyar Kaki, Farid-ud-Din Ganj-i-Shakar, Nizamuddin Auliya and Nasiruddin Chiragh-i-Delhi lived simply, avoided kings, spoke in Hindawi, used music in sama gatherings and won many followers among Hindus and Muslims.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · History · Bhakti and Sufi Movement
At a Glance
- Named after Chisht in Afghanistan
- Founder in India Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti at Ajmer
- Great saints Baba Farid, Nizamuddin Auliya, Chiragh-i-Delhi
- Practice Sama, simple life, Hindawi speech
- Stance Aloof from state politics
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Medieval History: Bhakti and Sufi Movement
Where Does It Fit?
This is the eighth topic of the category on the Bhakti and Sufi movement. The previous topic gave the features of Sufism, and this topic covers the most influential order in north India. The next topic covers the Suhrawardi order. Previous topic: Origins and Features of Sufism in Medieval India.
Who Brought the Chishti Order to India?
In short: the Chishti order was established in India by Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, who came about 1192 and settled at Ajmer.
Moinuddin came to India around 1192, shortly after the defeat and death of Prithviraj Chauhan. After some time at Lahore and Delhi he settled at Ajmer, an important political centre that already had a large Muslim population. No authentic record of his activities exists and he wrote no book, but his fame seems to have grown with that of his successors. He died in 1235 according to the usual account, though some sources give 1230 or 1236. His tomb, the Dargah Sharif at Ajmer, is a major pilgrimage site. The order is named after Chisht in Afghanistan.
Who Were the Great Chishti Saints?
| Saint | Details |
|---|---|
| Moinuddin Chishti | Came about 1192; settled at Ajmer |
| Bakhtiyar Kaki | Disciple of Moinuddin |
| Farid-ud-Din Ganj-i-Shakar (Baba Farid) | Worked at Hansi and Ajodhan in Haryana and the Punjab; deeply respected at Delhi; his humane outlook led to some of his verses being quoted in the Adi Granth |
| Nizamuddin Auliya | The most famous Chishti; Delhi saint; used yogic breathing so that yogis called him a sidh |
| Nasiruddin Chiragh-i-Delhi | Disciple of Nizamuddin; died in the mid-fourteenth century |
Later, the order split into the Sabiri and Nizami branches. Amir Khusrau was a Chishti disciple of Nizamuddin.
What Were the Chishti Practices?
The early Chishti saints mixed freely with people of the lower classes, including Hindus. They led simple, austere lives and spoke in Hindawi, the local dialect. They were hardly interested in conversions, though many families and groups later credited their conversion to the good wishes of these saints. They became popular by adopting musical gatherings called sama to create a mood of nearness to God, and they often chose Hindi verses because these had a greater impact on listeners. They kept aloof from state politics and shunned the company of rulers and nobles. Moinuddin’s last advice is recorded as never to go to the courts of kings. Their practices included dhikr, breath control and a forty-day retreat, called a chilla. Nevertheless, both Chishti and Suhrawardi saints helped rulers by creating an opinion in which people of different sects could live in peace and harmony.
What Is the Timeline of the Chishti Order?
| Period | Event |
|---|---|
| About 1192 | Moinuddin Chishti arrives in India and later settles at Ajmer |
| Thirteenth century | Bakhtiyar Kaki and Baba Farid carry the order to Delhi, Hansi and Ajodhan |
| Early fourteenth century | Nizamuddin Auliya at Delhi; death in 1325 |
| Mid-fourteenth century | Chiragh-i-Delhi dies; saints disperse east and south |
| Later | Chishti shrines receive royal patronage |
How Did the Order Spread?
After the death of Nasiruddin Chiragh-i-Delhi in the middle of the fourteenth century the Chishtis had no commanding figure at Delhi, and the saints dispersed and took their message to the east and south. In Bengal Alaul Haq Pandavi became a major figure, and in the Deccan the order was linked with Gulbarga. Many rulers later visited and patronised Chishti shrines, which stands in some tension with the order’s ideal of distance from kings. Salim Chishti is linked with Fatehpur Sikri. As an analytical point, the Chishtis’ openness and their use of local language and music made them a bridge between Muslim and Hindu communities, which is why Bhakti saints and Sufis found common ground. See Interaction and Syncretism Between Bhakti and Sufi Traditions.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Big names Moinuddin, Farid and Nizamuddin are standard questions
- Features Sama and distance from the state are frequent Prelims points
- Bridge role Explains syncretism
What Came Next?
The next topic covers the Suhrawardi order, which took a different attitude to the state. Next topic: Sufi Silsilas – Suhrawardi Order.
Key People and Terms
- Sama Devotional singing in Sufi gatherings
- Hindawi Local dialect used by Chishtis
- Chilla Forty-day retreat
- Dargah Shrine of a saint
- Ganj-i-Shakar Title of Baba Farid
- Sidh Perfect, title yogis gave Nizamuddin
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Moinuddin came about 1192; settled at Ajmer.
- Baba Farid: Hansi and Ajodhan.
- Disciple chain: Moinuddin, Kaki, Farid, Nizamuddin, Chiragh.
- Chishtis shunned kings.
- Used Hindi verses in sama.
Do Not Confuse With
- Chishti and Suhrawardi Aloof from the state versus willing to accept state service
- Dargah and khanqah Tomb shrine versus hospice
- Nizamuddin Auliya and Nizam-ul-Mulk Delhi saint versus the founder of Hyderabad
Memory Hook
Moinuddin at Ajmer, Farid at Hansi, Nizamuddin in Delhi, music and simple lives.
Mains Angle
Questions on the Chishtis ask about their ideas and influence. These points add depth.
- Practice Simplicity, sama and open doors
- Politics Aloofness from rulers
- Influence Bridge between communities
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Discuss the teachings and role of the Chishti order in medieval India.”
How to Answer
- Origin Moinuddin at Ajmer.
- Saints Farid, Nizamuddin, Chiragh.
- Practice Sama and simplicity.
- Spread East and south after the mid-fourteenth century.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded the Chishti order in India?
Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti brought the Chishti order to India about 1192 and settled at Ajmer. The order is named after Chisht in Afghanistan, and little authentic detail of his own life survives, though his shrine at Ajmer is famous.
Who was Nizamuddin Auliya?
Nizamuddin Auliya was the most famous Chishti saint of Delhi. He led a simple life, used sama and yogic breathing, and was so well regarded that yogis called him a sidh. Amir Khusrau was his disciple, and he died in 1325.
Why were the Chishtis popular?
The Chishtis mixed freely with ordinary people including Hindus, lived simply, spoke in Hindawi and used music and Hindi verses in sama. They were not interested in conversion and kept away from rulers, which won them respect.
What is sama?
Sama is the practice of devotional singing, usually of verse and song, that Chishti saints used to create a mood of nearness to God. They often used Hindi verses because these had a greater impact on listeners.
How did the Chishti order spread after Chiragh-i-Delhi?
After Nasiruddin Chiragh-i-Delhi died in the mid-fourteenth century the Chishtis had no strong figure at Delhi. The saints dispersed and carried the message to the eastern and southern parts of India, including Bengal and the Deccan.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 Moinuddin Chishti settled at Ajmer.
He came about 1192.
2 Baba Farid's verses are quoted in the Adi Granth.
He worked at Hansi and Ajodhan.
3 The Chishti saints sought service in the state.
They kept aloof from rulers.
4 Nasiruddin Chiragh-i-Delhi was a disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya.
He died in the mid-fourteenth century.
Related Topics
Browse the full Medieval History index