Indo Islamic Heritage
Dargah Aala Hazrat Ashrafi Miyan, located in Kichhauchha Sharif (also known as Ashrafpur Kichhauchha), Ambedkar Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh, is a revered Sufi shrine dedicated to the Chishti saint Aala Hazrat Sayyed Muhammad Mohiuddin Ashraf Jilani (commonly known as Ashrafi Miyan), a prominent 19th-20th century scholar and successor in the Ashrafi lineage of the Chishti order. It serves as a center for spiritual devotion, drawing thousands of pilgrims annually for its emphasis on peace, education, and Sufi teachings. The shrine is part of the larger complex associated with the historic tomb of Syed Makhdum Ashraf Jahangir Semnani (d. 1426 CE), featuring marble and tile decorations.
The Dargah Aala Hazrat Ashrafi Miyan stands as a significant historical Islamic site in India, embodying the rich Sufi tradition of the Chishti order within the broader tapestry of the country's spiritual heritage. Situated in the town of Ashrafpur Kichhauchha in Ambedkar Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh, this shrine honors Aala Hazrat Sayyed Muhammad Mohiuddin Ashraf Jilani, affectionately known as Ashrafi Miyan (1858–1909 CE), a distinguished Islamic scholar, poet, and spiritual leader who played a pivotal role in propagating Sunni Sufi teachings in northern India. Born into the revered Ashrafi family lineage descending from the 14th-century Sufi saint Syed Makhdum Ashraf Jahangir Semnani, Ashrafi Miyan received his early education in traditional Islamic sciences, including Quran, Hadith, Fiqh, and logic, under notable mentors. He later became a key successor (khalifa) in the Chishti-Ashrafi silsila, emphasizing devotion, ethical living, and the message of peace and tolerance central to Sufism. Established in 1909 CE upon Ashrafi Miyan's passing, the dargah was built as his mausoleum (mazaar) adjacent to the ancient shrine of his ancestor, Syed Makhdum Ashraf Jahangir Semnani, who migrated from Semnan, Iran, in the 14th century and founded the Ashrafi branch of the Chishti order in India around 1358 CE. Semnani's original dargah, constructed over a small hill surrounded by a pond (possibly a rhythmic water feature or moat-like enclosure), dates back to the medieval period following his death in 1426 CE, and it forms the core of the Kichhauchha Sharif complex. The entire site, including Ashrafi Miyan's dargah, is architecturally adorned with intricate marble work, colorful tiles, and glass embellishments, reflecting Indo-Islamic design influences that blend Persian and local elements. This decoration enhances the serene ambiance, making it a focal point for zikr (remembrance of God), qawwali sessions, and scholarly discourses. The dargah's historical importance lies in its role as a hub for Islamic education and spiritual guidance. Ashrafi Miyan founded Al Jamiatul Ashrafia in 1907 CE nearby, an institution that continues to train scholars in Sunni Hanafi jurisprudence and Sufi practices, underscoring the site's commitment to blending religious learning with communal harmony. As a Chishti shrine, it upholds the order's traditions of love for the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), service to humanity, and interfaith amity, attracting devotees from across India and abroad, regardless of faith. Annual events like the Urs (death anniversary commemoration) in late August or early September draw massive crowds for prayers and festivities, reinforcing its status as a beacon of peace in Uttar Pradesh's Sufi landscape.
Year of Built: Not Available
Address: CQMC+R9P Dargah, Ashrafpur Kichhauchha, Uttar Pradesh 224155
Country: India
State: Uttar Pradesh
District: Ambedkar Nagar
Pincode: 224155
Longitude: 82.62°E
Latitude: 26.35°N