I do not often visit
shrines. But I greatly admire the great work of sufi saints and their message
of tolerance, love, peace and humanity.
One of the earliest such saints is Hazrat Baba Haji Sher Muhammad Dewan Chawali Mashaikh,
famous as Haji Sher. His date of death is given as 27 Ramadan, 131 Hijri that
corresponds to approximately; 12 May, 749 AD.
The original name of Haji
Sher sahib was Rai Chawala, his father was Raja Mahinpal who was a follower of
Buddhism and was chief of Rajpoot Lakkan tribe of Sindh. In a battle with Muslims
he was imprisoned and sent to Medina as a prisoner. (Muslims had already reached
Multan in 715 AD) He was impressed with Islam and embraced it at the hands of
Hazrat Imam Hussain and got education from some sahabas. Later on he performed
Haj as well. When he returned to his home, his family opposed his conversion to
Islam and martyred him.
Many prominent Muslim
saints visited this shrine in their quest for spiritual knowledge. Baba
Fariduddin Ganj Shakar of Pakpattan, was born here and later on lived here for
some time. Many other saints like Hazrat Bahuddin Zakrai Multani, Hazrat Syed
Jalaluddin Shah Bukhari, Hazrat Usman Marvandi-Lal Shahbaz Qalandarcame here
and spent some time here for spiritual gains.
I have taken the above
information from Burewala News Online, written by Nadeem Mushtaq Ramay. The
shrine is located in a small town bearing his name, at 30° 03' 20" N, 72° 45' 32" E. About 17 kms south east of Burewala city.
A view of the mausoleum of Haji Sher Dewan Sahib. (20.03.2011.)
Another view of the mausoleum. (20.03.2011.)
A mosque at the darbar of Haji Sher Sahib. (20.03.2011.)
As we have seen above that
shrine of Haji Sher sahib has been a centre of attraction for Sufis for a very
long time. In the same quest for spiritualism Baba Guru Nank Dev ji also
visited this place in early 16th century. Guru ji travelled extensively to learn about
the one true God and also to spread his message. For this purpose he undertook
five journeys across India and even Makkah, Medina and Baghdad. He came here
probably during his first Udasi (jouney) 1499 – 1506. At the place he
meditated, a gurdwara was constructed, which is known as Gurdwara Pehli
Patshahi or Tapasthan. It is close to the famous well, where Baba Farid Ganj
Shakar reportedly performed his chillah, while hanging by a thread in the well
for 12 years. Nadeem Mushtaq Ramay sahib writes on Burewala News Online, that
the gurdwara was in a bad shape, but some people took interest and drew the
attention of the chief minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi and on his instructions
it was repaired and evacuated from the squatters occupying it. When I visited
this place on 20 March, 2011, I found it in a very good condition, but closed. I
was informed by a person that a Muslim family holds the keys and they open it
for Sikh devotees. I took some pictures from outside.
View of the gurdwara Pehli Patshahi, from south east. (20.03.2011.)
View from the north. (20.03.2011.)
A plaque in Gurmukhi. (20.03.2011.)
Another plaque in Gurmukhi. (20.03.2011.)
View from the south. (20.03.2011.)
View from the south eastern side. (20.03.2011.)
The famous well of Baba Farid Ganj Shakr, near the gurdwara. (20.03.2011.)
I shall appreciate your comments. Your suggestions to improve this post or any additional information are most welcome.
Tariq Amir (طارق امیر)
June 09, 2014.
Doha – Qatar
.
View Haji Sher Diwan & Gurudwara Pehli Patshahi in a larger map
Please edit this as connection of Baba Dewan Haji sher with Dhuddi Rajput caste. I can share you more information. I would like to share many other things belong to Baba G if you please send me a text on my facebook account with reference
ReplyDeleteAlikhan32733@gmail.com
Or whatsapp
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Dear
ReplyDeleteHazrat imam hussain martyred in year 683 ad. Where Muhammad non Qasim invade this area in year 715 ad. (as you mentioned). How haji sher accepted islam on hands of imam Hussain?
Dear Sir,
DeleteYou are right. I think I got confused. I shall again try to check the facts and you are welcome to share any information you may have in this regard. Thanks.
I went there after learning about Baba Haji Sher. I travelled from Lahore to the Shrine. I regret to say that everything there is in bad shape. It is a very important place in spirituality. Baba Sher was born in 650 AD. When he was captured by Muslim forces it was a time of perhaps Ameer Muawiah. At that time Haji Sher was about 16 or 17. He accepted Islam at the hands of Imam Hassan not Imam Hussain. He died or killed when he was about 100 years old in 750 when Abbasids over thrown Umayyads. What I experienced through my journey is that this place has energy which I felt and the well is very important.
ReplyDeleteHazrat baba haji sher ki hyat o khidmat sy related agr books ap k ilam m ho to zror agaah kijye thanks
DeleteThank you for taking the time to publish this information very useful! كم تاريخ اليوم
ReplyDelete