Bholoo Shah or Bholu Shah also called Shah Behlan and Bhollo Shah was an 18th-century Muslim Sufi saint from Delhi, India. He was a Majzoob who belonged to the Qadri order. His dargah (mausoleum) is in Old Delhi, India.[1]

Bholoo Shah
Personal
Died(1789-10-10)10 October 1789
ReligionIslam
RegionIndian subcontinent
Denominationspecifically the Qadri of Sufism
Muslim leader
PredecessorShah Abdul Hameed
SuccessorShah Mohammad Hafeez

Biography edit

Most writers maintain that Bholoo Shah’s birthplace to be Punjab. This was before the partition of the Indian subcontinent when the Mughal era was on the rise.[2] He migrated to Delhi from Punjab leaving his family behind. In Delhi, he got beneficence from Shah Abdul Hameed and became his spiritual successor.[3] Shah Mohammad Hafeez became his khalifah and shrine supervisor. After he died, his son took this responsibility. Their shrines are also near the shrine of Bholoo Shah.[4]

One account states that he was the disciple and khalifah of Abdul Hamid in Qadri order[5] while some scholars opine that he was the disciple and khalifah of Shah Abdul Hameed in Qadri Razzaqi Order and also enjoyed the company of Shah Nano and Shah Fakhr-ud-Din Chishti.[6][7]

Tomb edit

The dargah (mausoleum or shrine) is at the Kabuli Darwaza (west side of the Red Fort and should not be confused with Khooni Darwaza)[8] in Old Delhi, India as verified by the first book on the shrines of Delhi, "Mazaraat-e-Auliya-e-Delhi".[9][10] The shrine of Bholoo Shah which used to be in Kabuli darwaza has now been removed but only its remains are visible. Nearby is the shrine of his disciple Shah Mohammad Hafeez and his son Shah Ghulam Mohammad is also buried nearby.[11] Some sources cite that Bholoo Shah died on the 20th Moharram 1024 AH or 10 October 1789 CE and his shrine along with a mosque enclosure is near the railway line, under the left side of the Mithai Bridge (Lahori Gate 4, Old Delhi 6). His khalifah Shah Hafeez-ur-Rehman is buried nearby who died on the 30th Ziquad 1236 AH 28 August 1821 CE during the reign of Akbar Shah II (1806–1837). Shah Hafeez-ur-Rehman’s son and khalifah Shah Ghulam Mohammad is buried at his feet.[12] His annual Urs is held annually on 19th of Muharram. His devotees also celebrate basant in the spring season at his shrine with great enthusiasm.[13][14]

References edit

  1. ^ Yahya Anjum, Dr Ghulam, 2002, Tareekh Mashaikh Qadria Vol III, Kutb Khana Amjadia 425 Matia Mahal Jama Mosque, Delhi-6, India
  2. ^ Pletcher, Kenneth (2010). The Geography of India: Sacred and Historic Places. The Rosen Publishing Group. ISBN 9781615301423.
  3. ^ Z A Tofayell (1968). Lalon Shah and Lyrics of the Padma. Ziaunnahar original from University of Michigan April 2007. p. 92. ISBN 978-9-699-79518-3.
  4. ^ Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib (1987). Urdu Letters of Mirza Asadullah Ghalib. Daud Rahbar. SUNY Press. ISBN 978-0-887-06412-8.
  5. ^ Naqvi Achvi, Syed Tajamal Shah, 1934, Bagh-e-Sadaat, 2nd edition in 1947
  6. ^ Rehnuma-e-Mazaraat Delhi, Mohammad Asim-ul-Qadri Sanbhli, Mohammad Book Depot, 2007, Old Delhi India
  7. ^ Siddiqui, Dr Hifz-ur-Rehman, 2006, Mazaraat-e-Auliya-e-Delhi, Farid Book Depot (Pvt) Ltd, Pataudi House Darya Gunj, New Delhi-2, India, p.p. 157
  8. ^ http://www.milligazette.com/Archives/2004/01-15Jun04-Print-Edition/011506200496.htm Dilli's gates and windows By Mahtab Jahan
  9. ^ Siddiqui, Dr Hifz-ur-Rehman, 2006, Mazaraat-e-Auliya-e-Delhi, Farid Book Depot (Pvt) Ltd, Pataudi House Darya Gunj, New Delhi-2, India, 2nd edition in 1930 later republished in 2006 with changes made by the same author, p.p. 157
  10. ^ ""Central Government to return to 123 Wakf properties," Shrine Bholu Shah". Archived from the original on 15 July 2015. Retrieved 14 July 2015.TwoCircles.net
  11. ^ Waqiat Dar-ul-Hakumat Delhi Vol II,p.p 473
  12. ^ Rehnuma-e-Mazaraat Delhi, Mohammad Asim-ul-Qadri Sanbhli, Mohammad Book Depot, 2007, Old Delhi India, p.p 284-286
  13. ^ "The truth behind the Basant ruling". The Express Tribune Blogs
  14. ^ Maheshwar Daya (1975). Rediscovering Delhi:The story of Shahjahanabad. S. Chand original from University of Michigan, July 2006. p. 61. ISBN 9780842608626.

Further reading edit