Indo Islamic Heritage
The Dargah of Hazrat Syed Jahangeer Ashraf Badshah Peer, also known as Kichhauchha Sharif, is a revered Sufi shrine in Ashrafpur Kichhauchha, Ambedkar Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh, India. Dedicated to the Chishti saint Syed Makhdoom Ashraf Jahangir Semnani (born 1308 AD in Semnan, Iran; died 1386 AD), it serves as a center for spiritual solace and attracts thousands of devotees annually from across India and abroad for its message of peace and interfaith harmony. The complex features a mosque and is adorned with marble, tiles, and glass, built on a small hill surrounded by a pond.
The Dargah of Hazrat Syed Jahangeer Ashraf Badshah Peer, commonly referred to as Kichhauchha Sharif, stands as one of India's prominent historical Islamic sites, embodying the rich Sufi tradition within the Chishti order. Located in the town of Ashrafpur Kichhauchha in Ambedkar Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh, this shrine honors the legacy of the 14th-century Sufi saint Syed Makhdoom Ashraf Jahangir Semnani, also known as Badshah Peer. Born in 1308 AD (708 AH) in Semnan, Iran, to a royal family—his father, Syed Ibrahim Semnani, was the local ruler—Ashraf Jahangir Semnani was a descendant of Prophet Muhammad through his grandson Husayn ibn Ali. His mother, Bibi Khadija, traced her lineage to the renowned Sufi saint Ahmad Yasawi. From a young age, Semnani displayed exceptional scholarly prowess, memorizing the Quran with seven types of qirat by age seven and mastering traditional Islamic sciences, orthodoxy, and logic by age fourteen. At 15, following his father's death, Semnani briefly ruled Semnan but abdicated the throne at 21, driven by spiritual inclinations and a divine dream urging him to journey to India. His travels took him through regions like Transoxiana, Bukhara, Samarqand, and Uch (in present-day Pakistan), where he met influential Sufi figures such as Jalaluddin Bukhari. Settling in Kichhauchha around 1357 AD, he established the Ashrafi branch of the Chishti Sufi order, blending Qadiri and Chishti elements, and contributed significantly to spreading Islamic mysticism in the Awadh region. Semnani authored numerous works on theology, spirituality, and poetry, with at least 26 documented texts highlighting his expertise in Islamic sciences. He passed away in 1386 AD (788 AH), and his shrine was constructed shortly thereafter, evolving into a complex that includes a mosque, khanqah (Sufi hospice), and other structures for communal prayer and learning. The dargah itself is architecturally modest yet spiritually profound, situated on a small hillock encircled by a serene pond, symbolizing purity and reflection. The main shrine and adjacent mosque are embellished with intricate marble work, colorful tiles, and glass inlays, reflecting Persian and Indian influences typical of medieval Sufi architecture. The mosque within the complex facilitates daily prayers and hosts qawwali sessions during the annual Urs (death anniversary commemoration) on the 28th of Muharram, drawing millions of pilgrims irrespective of faith. This interfaith appeal underscores Semnani's teachings of peace, tolerance, and unity, making the site a beacon for devotees seeking spiritual elevation, healing, and fulfillment of vows. While the exact year of the shrine's construction remains unverified in historical records—likely initiated soon after 1386 AD as a simple mausoleum and expanded over centuries—the site's enduring significance lies in its role as a living testament to Sufi heritage, preserved through ongoing maintenance by descendants and the Ashrafi Sufi order. Today, it remains a vital center for Islamic scholarship and devotion, with facilities like madrasas and langar (communal kitchen) supporting visitors year-round.
Year of Built: Not Available
Address: CQQC+9GR, Kamla Pandit Marg, Ashrafpur Kichhauchha, Uttar Pradesh 224155
Country: India
State: Uttar Pradesh
District: Ambedkar Nagar
Pincode: 224155
Longitude: 82.60° E
Latitude: 26.35° N