From Patan to Karachi: The Nizārī Ismā’īlī Mission in the Indian Subcontinent. A Review of “Ismaili Pirs, Vakils and Sayeds of South Asian Regions”

Ali Jan Damani

doi:10.5334/aa.178

Abstract

Who among the orientalists can tell you about the Nizārī Ismā’īlī mission in the Indian Subcontinent with utmost historical conviction? Owing to the paucity of authentic historical documents, scholars have generally kept their face turned towards the Ismā’īlī history outside of the boundaries of South Asian regions. Books on the Nizārī Ismā’īlī mission in the Indian Subcontinent are published rarely. In fact, one would find no more than 5 to 10 scholarly books on the aforementioned subject. Thus, it is worth stressing on this juncture that books like “Ismaili Pirs, Vakils and Sayeds” are worth reviewing academically. Precisely speaking, in this review I would analyze and evaluate the content, structure, research methodology etc of the book “Ismaili Pirs, Vakils and Sayeds” by Mumtaz Ali Tajddin Sadik Ali (A writer from the Ismā’īlī community).

Highlights

Ismaili Pirs, Vakils and Sayeds of South Asian Regions, written by Mr Mumtaz Ali Tajddin Sadik Ali – A writer from the Ismaili community and the caretaker of the Mukhi Hashoo Museum, Karachi – is an epigrammatic history of the Ismā’īlī Dā’īs known as Pīrs, Vakīls and Syeds, who were responsible for the spread of the Nizārī Ismā’īlī form of Islam in the name of Satpanth in the regions of South Asia
One would find no more than 5 to 10 scholarly books on the aforementioned subject. It is worth stressing on this juncture that books like "Ismaili Pirs, Vakils and Sayeds" are worth reviewing academically
In today’s time, the Ismā’īlī community is a global one – with its members living in various countries of Asia, Africa and Europe

Summary

Introduction

Ismaili Pirs, Vakils and Sayeds of South Asian Regions, written by Mr Mumtaz Ali Tajddin Sadik Ali – A writer from the Ismaili community and the caretaker of the Mukhi Hashoo Museum, Karachi – is an epigrammatic history of the Ismā’īlī Dā’īs (preachers) known as Pīrs, Vakīls and Syeds, who were responsible for the spread of the Nizārī Ismā’īlī form of Islam in the name of Satpanth in the regions of South Asia. Who among the orientalists can tell you about the Nizārī Ismā’īlī mission in the Indian Subcontinent with utmost historical conviction?

Results

Conclusion