Shaikh Sharfuddin Bu Ali Qalander Panipati's Contribution for the Development of Composite Culture in Panipat during 14th Century

Abstract

Shaikh Sharfuddin Bu Ali Qalander Panipati laid the foundation of sufi movement in Panipat. He started shaping it as a centre of Islamic learning and culture from 13th century and by 18th century. Sufis influenced Indian society and culture. They worked for the welfare of people. Never did they discriminate on the basis of religion, caste or colour. They preached the religion of Islam but at the same time paid full attention to learning and education. It is recorded in Miratul Konain that one of Alauddin Khalji’s Khwaja Sara Malik Nayab teased one of the darwaish of Bu Ali Qalander. When Bu Ali Qalander came to know about it, he was very angry and wrote a letter to Alauddin Khalji regarding the incident. Bu Ali Qalander basically became the spokes person of Jalaluddin Rumi’s ideas in India. Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi in his masnavi-i-maanvi described a story of a “grain merchant and a parrot”.