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The Shah Fakir are a Muslim community in South Asia. They are included in the [[Other Backward Caste]] list of the Indian states of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. | The Shah Fakir are a Muslim community in South Asia. They are included in the [[Other Backward Caste]] list of the Indian states of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of Backward Classes {{!}} Directorate of Welfare of Scheduled Caste & Backward Classes, Government of Haryana |url=http://haryanascbc.gov.in/reservation-in-haryana/list-of-backward-classes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250424045832/http://haryanascbc.gov.in/reservation-in-haryana/list-of-backward-classes |archive-date=2025-04-24 |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=haryanascbc.gov.in |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=National Commission for Backward Classes: Himachal Pradesh |url=http://ncbc.nic.in/Pdf/HimachalPradesh.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227014116/https://www.ncbc.nic.in/Pdf/himachalpradesh.pdf |archive-date=27 Feb 2012 |access-date=2 February 2015}}</ref> | ||
== History and origin == | == History and origin == | ||
The word '''[[fakir]]''' or '''faqir''' ({{langx|ar|فقیر}} (noun of faqr)) is derived from the word ''faqr'' ({{langx|ar|فقر}}, "poverty"). They are claimed{{By whom|date=September 2025}} to be the descendants of Sufi saints belonging to Syeds lineage traced to [[Ali]]. Faqirs were wandering [[Dervish]]es teaching [[Islam]] in South Asia. | The word '''[[fakir]]''' or '''faqir''' ({{langx|ar|فقیر}} (noun of faqr)) is derived from the word ''faqr'' ({{langx|ar|فقر}}, "poverty"). They are claimed{{By whom|date=September 2025}} to be the descendants of Sufi saints belonging to Syeds lineage traced to [[Ali]]. Faqirs were wandering [[Dervish]]es teaching [[Islam]] in South Asia.<ref>{{cite book |author=Meher Baba |year=1973 |orig-date=First published 1955 |title=God Speaks: The Theme of Creation and its Purpose |edition=2nd |publisher=Dodd Meade |page=305 |oclc=1005612295}}</ref> | ||
== Shah Faqir of West Bengal == | == Shah Faqir of West Bengal == | ||
The Faqir of [[West Bengal]] are also known as Shahji. The majority of the West Bengal Faqir are now cultivators, living in multi-caste villages, in their own quarters known as Faqir paras. They cultivate paddy, jute, mustard and tilli seeds. A small number are also landless agricultural labourers. The Faqir speak [[Bengali language|Bengali]] and follow the Sunni sect of Islam. But they practice a number of folk beliefs, collectively referred to as ''faqirmat''. This involves paying special reverence to a number of Sufi saints. A significant number of Faqir are also involved in the production of cooking oil, an activity traditionally associated with the [[Teli]] caste in other parts of India. | The Faqir of [[West Bengal]] are also known as Shahji. The majority of the West Bengal Faqir are now cultivators, living in multi-caste villages, in their own quarters known as Faqir paras. They cultivate paddy, jute, mustard and tilli seeds. A small number are also landless agricultural labourers. The Faqir speak [[Bengali language|Bengali]] and follow the Sunni sect of Islam. But they practice a number of folk beliefs, collectively referred to as ''faqirmat''. This involves paying special reverence to a number of Sufi saints. A significant number of Faqir are also involved in the production of cooking oil, an activity traditionally associated with the [[Teli]] caste in other parts of India.<ref>{{cite book |editor=M.K.A. Siddiqui |title=Marginal Muslim Communities in India |year=2004 |location=New Delhi |publisher=Institute of Objective Studies |pages=399–413 |isbn=978-81-85205-81-6}}</ref>They claim to be descendants of the Sayyids, descendants of Ali. Fakirs were wandering dervishes who taught Islam in South Asia. [ 3 ] | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
Latest revision as of 23:55, 21 March 2026
The Shah Fakir are a Muslim community in South Asia. They are included in the Other Backward Caste list of the Indian states of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.[1][2]
History and origin[edit | edit source]
The word fakir or faqir (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist. (noun of faqr)) is derived from the word faqr (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist., "poverty"). They are claimed[by whom?] to be the descendants of Sufi saints belonging to Syeds lineage traced to Ali. Faqirs were wandering Dervishes teaching Islam in South Asia.[3]
Shah Faqir of West Bengal[edit | edit source]
The Faqir of West Bengal are also known as Shahji. The majority of the West Bengal Faqir are now cultivators, living in multi-caste villages, in their own quarters known as Faqir paras. They cultivate paddy, jute, mustard and tilli seeds. A small number are also landless agricultural labourers. The Faqir speak Bengali and follow the Sunni sect of Islam. But they practice a number of folk beliefs, collectively referred to as faqirmat. This involves paying special reverence to a number of Sufi saints. A significant number of Faqir are also involved in the production of cooking oil, an activity traditionally associated with the Teli caste in other parts of India.[4]They claim to be descendants of the Sayyids, descendants of Ali. Fakirs were wandering dervishes who taught Islam in South Asia. [ 3 ]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "List of Backward Classes | Directorate of Welfare of Scheduled Caste & Backward Classes, Government of Haryana". haryanascbc.gov.in. Archived from the original on 24 April 2025. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
- ↑ "National Commission for Backward Classes: Himachal Pradesh" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 February 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
- ↑ Meher Baba (1973) [First published 1955]. God Speaks: The Theme of Creation and its Purpose (2nd ed.). Dodd Meade. p. 305. OCLC 1005612295.
- ↑ M.K.A. Siddiqui, ed. (2004). Marginal Muslim Communities in India. New Delhi: Institute of Objective Studies. pp. 399–413. ISBN 978-81-85205-81-6.