Renowned historian and author Syed Ubaidur Rahman delivered an engaging and comprehensive lecture titled “The Sufi Tapestry: Interweaving Society, Culture, and Politics in Medieval India” at Jamia Hamdard University on November 4. The event, organised by the Centre of Sufi Studies under the Department of Islamic Studies, drew a packed audience at the university’s main Convention Centre.
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Presided over by Vice Chancellor Prof Afshar Alam, the session was attended by a large gathering of faculty members, students, and academics from various other universities. Prof Alam, in his presiding remarks, lauded Rahman’s presentation as a “masterful exposition that illuminates the profound and enduring role of Sufism in shaping India’s historical narrative”. He praised the speaker’s depth of research and eloquent delivery, stating: “Rahman’s talk not only revives forgotten chapters of our shared heritage but also underscores the timeless relevance of its principles in fostering harmony and humanity truly an inspiration for our academic community.”
Rahman began by highlighting the early arrival of Sufis across diverse regions of India, emphasising that these spiritual figures established deep roots centuries before the Delhi Sultanate or any formal Muslim rule. He cited striking examples, such as the lasting legacy of Nathar Wali Shah in Tamil Nadu and Mir Hamdan in Kashmir, noting that their influence continues to resonate in local cultures and traditions even today.
Delving deeper into the Mughal era, Rahman explored the profound impact of spiritual figures on imperial dynamics. He discussed key figures like Emperor Akbar, Shah Jahan, Prince Dara Shikoh, Princess Jahan Ara, and Zeb-un-Nisa, illustrating their intimate associations with spiritual saints and orders. According to Rahman, this symbiotic relationship rendered Mughal governance more benign and humane, infusing it with principles of tolerance, inclusivity, and spiritual depth that mitigated the era’s political rigors.
The lecture sparked lively discussions among attendees, reinforcing the Centre of Sufi Studies’ commitment to exploring India’s rich Islamic heritage.
On the occasion, Dr Fazlur Rahman, head of Centre for Sufi Studies, in his concluding remarks, said that such programmes are imperative to keep us charged. He said Centre for Sufi Studies will continue to strive to bring scholars of repute to the Centre to make it a centre of serious scholarship.
