Call for Papers
Seminar Topic

“Legacy of the Sufis in India: A Socio-Cultural Appraisal”

Submissions are invited from scholars, historians, social scientists and other interested individuals for an appraisal of the role of Sufis and their legacy in India.

Chair

Rabi Ranjan Sen, Senior Lecturer, Katwa College, West Bengal

Background

Sufis and Sufism are often referred to in general parlance as a shining example of the evolution of a Hindu-Muslim syncretic culture in the Indian social, cultural and religious landscape in the medieval ages. In academic as well as lay discourses, Sufis are often pitted against the “illiberal, narrow-minded” Ulema as representing the “ tolerant, liberal” face of Islam. Since even today, shrines and dargahs of Sufi saints are visited and venerated by both Hindus and Muslims, it is often presumed that the saints themselves, similarly made no distinction between the people on the basis of caste or creed.

It has also been argued that in this discourse perhaps it is often either forgotten or even sometime sought to be deliberately glossed over that the Sufis also effected the majority of conversions in India. It is often said that the Sufis also took on the role of missionaries of Islam seeking to further their missionary activities in the form of religious engangements and spiritual advice attracting the religious-minded Hindu masses in the areas where they set up their khanqas. While most of the different Sufi silsilahs agreed on the broad goal and most silsilahs accepted the supremacy of the Shariat (ba shara), they differed in their approaches. Thus, while the Chishti silsilah adopted a relatively softer approach, some of the silsilahs like the Qubrawiyas, Naqshbandis, etc. advocated a more hardline anti-infidel approach.

It may be also noted that while Sufis are often regarded as being at loggerheads with both the Ulema as well as the state power, many of the Sultans recognized and appreciated their role as torchbearers of Islamic culture and religion as they were understood to have played an important role in conditioning the Indian masses to an acceptance of Islamic rule. For example Mohd. Bin Tughlaq is said to have made efforts to send Sufis to Kashmir with the express instruction to sit in the Hindu temples there and convert the people to Islam. Prof. Mohammad Habib writes “...the Chishti and Suhrawardi mystic orders (silsilahs) with their super-military discipline had carried on an extreme religious propaganda in every village and town of Hindustan, and their efforts had brought a considerable minority of pure Indians within the fold of Islam.” (Politics and Society during the Early Medieval Period, ed. K.A. Nizami).

Thus, an appraisal of the legacy of the Sufis is perhaps required in the light of their role in effecting spiritual/religious engangement of Islam in India and the resultant conversions as their legacy in changing the demographicsocio-cultural contours of the Indian subcontinent.

Areas of Study

1. Indo-Islamic interface and Sufism
2. Sufi mode and methods of conversions
3. Role of Khanqahs and Dargahs in Sufism
4. Sufi Silsilahs: Area of differences and convergence
5. Sultans and Sufis
6. Islamic Sufi traditions in India

The scholar may also choose any other topic seeking appraisal of the role of Sufis in India.

Guidelines

Medium: Presentations and live discussion in English are desirable. Presentations in Indian languages will be allowed.

Deadlines

Submission of abstract: Scholars are requested to submit the abstract of the papers on or before 25^th October 2009.

Submission of paper: Scholars are requested to submit their full paper on or before 15^th November 2009.

Submission Process:

Where to send: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (via e-mail)

Postal Address: Lower Ground Floor,  B-27, Defence Colony,  New Delhi - 110024

Selection of  papers: A selection committee will scrutinize the papers. If selected intimations to present the paper in the seminar will be dispatched through post or Email. Scholars are requested to give their postal address and Email (if any.).

Travel Grants: A limited no. of travel grants are available from third parties and private sponsors, to those who are approved by the selection committee. Students in master’s or Ph.D.  program will be given preference for travel grants.