Indo Islamic Heritage
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The Dawoodi Bohra Dargah in Khambhat, Gujarat, is a significant religious and historical site for the Dawoodi Bohra community
Moulai Abdullah, a pivotal figure in the Ismaili Fatimid Mustaali sect, is renowned for his role in propagating the Taiyabi faith in India. He was born in the Haraz Mountains of Yemen and journeyed to Cambay (now Khambat), Gujarat, around 1067 AD (460 AH). Initially known as Balam Nath, Moulai Abdullah embraced the Ismaili faith under the guidance of the Fatimid Dai, Mu'ayyad fi'l-Din al-Shirazi. Along with his companion Syedi Nuruddin, Moulai Abdullah traveled to Egypt, where they met Imam Al-Mustansir Billah, before returning to India to spread the faith. His efforts in Gujarat laid the foundation of the Bohra community, which became a significant part of India's religious and cultural fabric. During his time in Cambay, Moulai Abdullah spent several years studying the people and their customs, which helped him in his missionary work. He died on August 12, 1141, and was buried in a mausoleum that still stands in Khambat today, commemorating his legacy. The stories surrounding Moulai Abdullah's life often highlight his miraculous powers. One of the most popular legends tells of how he converted the ruler, King Jayasimha, through his miraculous deeds. It is said that Jayasimha sent an army to capture Abdullah, but the saint performed miracles that convinced the king of the power of Islam, leading to his conversion. However, there is no concrete historical evidence to support the idea that Jayasimha renounced Shaivism, though later Bohra Walis and Da'i al-Mutlaqs claimed to be descended from him, including Syedna Ismail, the 34th Da'i al-Mutlaq. Moulai Abdullah's missionary work is also marked by his success in converting local people through miraculous acts. In one story, he is said to have won the heart of a cultivator by filling a dry well with water, while in another, he faced a royal challenge when King Sidhraj Jaisingh of Patan sent armed men to capture him. Moulai Abdullah, however, protected himself by surrounding his camp with a wall of fire, a miraculous act that led the king himself to meet the saint. Impressed by his spiritual power, two of King Sidhraj?s ministers, Tarmal and Bharmal, became his followers. This conversion, among others, helped spread the Ismaili faith in the region. Moulai Abdullah?s legacy lived on through his disciples and the generations of followers who carried his teachings, including Syedi Hasan Feer, a 14th-century saint from the lineage of Moulai Abdullah, who served the Sultan of Patan. His influence continues to be remembered in the Bohra community and in the history of Gujarat.
Year of Built: 11th Century
Address: Dawoodi Bora12, Gayatri Nagar Rd, Alaiya Pada, Teen Limdi, Khambhat, Gujarat
Country: India
State: Gujarat
District: Anand
Pincode: 388620
Longitude: 72.6173
Latitude: 72.6173