Indo Islamic Heritage
Peshkar Sahab Dargah, also known as the Dargah of Sultan ul Arfeen Hazrat Khwaja Sayyid Hasan (Bade Sarkar), is a revered 13th-century Sufi shrine in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh, dedicated to the Suhrawardi order saint Khwaja Hasan. Located on the banks of the Sot River, it serves as a key site for the annual Urs celebration on the 24th of Ramadan and attracts devotees from diverse faiths seeking spiritual blessings.
The Peshkar Sahab Dargah stands as a testament to the early spread of Sufism in northern India, honoring Hazrat Khwaja Sayyid Hasan, a prominent 13th-century mystic and scholar of the Suhrawardi order. Born in 1188 CE in Bukhara (present-day Uzbekistan) to Azizuddin Badauni and Bibi Tui, Khwaja Hasan traced his lineage to Prophet Muhammad through Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib. He received his early education in Multan, where he encountered Sufi influences, and later pledged allegiance to his spiritual guide, Hazrat Kazi Hamiduddin Nagori, from whom he inherited the khilafat (spiritual succession) and khirqah (Sufi cloak). Directed by his master to settle in Badaun, Khwaja Hasan spent the remainder of his life there, establishing the Suhrawardi order firmly in the region—a development that extended its reach beyond Bengal and Nagaur. Khwaja Hasan, affectionately titled Sultan ul Arfeen ("King of the Knowers of God") by Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki, passed away on the 24th of Ramadan in 1230 CE at the age of 42. The present shrine structure was constructed in the same year (628 Hijri) by Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud, the fifth son of Delhi Sultan Iltutmish, reflecting the royal patronage extended to Sufi institutions during the early Delhi Sultanate. This architectural endeavor underscores the dargah's historical significance as one of Badaun's oldest Sufi mausoleums, situated serenely along the Sot River, which enhances its spiritual ambiance. As a local shrine, Peshkar Sahab Dargah remains a focal point for interfaith harmony, drawing Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and Sikh pilgrims who visit for prayers and wish fulfillment. The annual Urs, commemorating Khwaja Hasan's death anniversary, features devotional gatherings, qawwali recitations, and communal feasts, fostering a legacy of tolerance and devotion. Khwaja Hasan's younger brother, Shah Vilayat Badruddin (Chote Sarkar), also a spiritual successor to Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki, is enshrined nearby, with his Urs observed on the 22nd of Ramadan. The dargah's enduring role in Badaun's cultural landscape highlights the Suhrawardi emphasis on inner purification, charity, and unity, making it an integral part of India's rich Islamic heritage.
Year of Built: 13th Century
Address: 24VM+6JR, Budaun, Uttar Pradesh 243601
Country: India
State: Uttar Pradesh
District: Budaun
Pincode: 243601
Longitude: 79.1250° E
Latitude: 28.1400° N