I do not often visit shrines, but I greatly admire the profound work of the Sufi saints and their enduring message of tolerance, love, peace, and humanity. One of the earliest such saints is Hazrat Baba Haji Sher Muhammad Dewan Chawali Mashaikh, famously known as Haji Sher. His date of death is recorded as 27th Ramadan, 131 Hijri, which corresponds approximately to 12 May, 749 AD. The original name of Haji Sher Sahib was Rai Chawala. His father, Raja Mahinpal, was a follower of Buddhism and the chief of the Rajput Lakkan tribe of Sindh. During a battle with the Muslims, he was captured and sent to Medina as a prisoner. (By that time, the Muslims had already reached Multan in 715 AD.)
In Medina, Rai Chawala was deeply impressed by Islam. He embraced the faith at the hands of Hazrat Imam Hussain and received religious education from some of the Sahabah (companions of the Prophet ﷺ). He also performed Hajj. Upon returning home, however, his family opposed his conversion and ultimately martyred him.
Over the centuries, many prominent Muslim saints visited this shrine in their spiritual quests. Baba Fariduddin Ganj Shakar of Pakpattan was born here and later lived here for some time. Other notable saints such as Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya Multani, Hazrat Syed Jalaluddin Shah Bukhari, and Hazrat Usman Marvandi—Lal Shahbaz Qalandar also visited this site and spent time here for spiritual enrichment.
I have taken the above information from Burewala News Online, in an article written by Nadeem Mushtaq Ramay. The shrine is located in a small town that bears the saint’s name, at 30° 03' 20" N, 72° 45' 32" E, about 17 km southeast of Burewala city.
At the place where he meditated, a gurdwara was later constructed. It is known as Gurdwara Pehli Patshahi or Tapasthan. This gurdwara is located near the famous well where Baba Farid Ganj Shakar is said to have performed his chillah (spiritual retreat), reportedly hanging by a thread in the well for 12 years.
According to Nadeem Mushtaq Ramay Sahib, writing on Burewala News Online, the gurdwara had fallen into disrepair. However, some individuals took interest and brought it to the attention of then Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, under whose instructions it was repaired and evacuated from the squatters who had occupied it.
When I visited the site on 20 March 2011, I found the gurdwara to be in very good condition, though it was closed at the time. A local person informed me that a Muslim family holds the keys and opens it for Sikh devotees. I took some photographs from outside.
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
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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?
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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
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