He came with 700 companions, carrying books and teachings instead of swords.
By Rayees Ahmad Kumar Kumar
In the history of Kashmir, few figures stand as tall as Hazrat Amir Kabir Mir Syed Ali Hamdani (RA), revered as Shah-i-Hamdan — the man often credited with laying the foundations of Islam in the Valley. Born on October 21, 1314 AD in Hamdan (present-day Iran) to a noble family tracing direct lineage to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), Shah-i-Hamdan’s life was one of deep scholarship, spiritual discipline, and purposeful travel.
His father, Syed Shahabuddin, served as an administrator of Hamdan, while his mother, Syeda Fatima, ensured his early moral grounding. Orphaned at a young age, he came under the guardianship of his maternal uncle, Syed Alluddin Simnani, who oversaw his education. Under his uncle’s care, the young Ali Hamdani memorised the Holy Quran and immersed himself in Islamic sciences. He was later initiated into the Kubrawi Sufi order by the eminent Sheikh Sharfuddin Mazdaqani, who became both his spiritual guide and mentor.
A Turbulent Kashmir
In the early 14th century, Kashmir was ravaged by Zulchu, a brutal Tatar invader who wrought havoc for eight months, leaving only eleven families alive in Srinagar. By 1320 AD, as the Valley reeled from destruction, a Buddhist ruler from Ladakh, Rinchan Shah, seized power. It was during his reign that Syed Sharfuddin Abdul Rehman Suharwardi (RA), known as Bulbul Shah, arrived from Turkistan. Under Bulbul Shah’s influence, Rinchan Shah embraced Islam, taking the name Sultan Sadruddin.
Before visiting Kashmir himself, Shah-i-Hamdan dispatched two trusted relatives — Syed Tajuddin Simnani and Mir Syed Hussain Simnani — to assess the situation. Their reports would set the stage for his own arrival.
Three Journeys, One Mission
Shah-i-Hamdan visited Kashmir three times, each visit leaving a deep imprint on its spiritual and cultural fabric.
First Visit – 1372 AD
During his first journey, Sultan Shahabuddin was away on an expedition to Attock, and Shah-i-Hamdan, accompanied by fewer than a hundred companions, was received by Sultan Qutubuddin. Over a six-month stay, the saint laid the groundwork for his mission before departing for Makkah.
Second Visit – 1380 AD
This time, the entourage was far larger — 700 Syeds, all distinguished men of learning and piety. They settled along the banks of the Jhelum in what was then Allaudin Pora, now home to the Khanqah-e-Moula. Here, Shah-i-Hamdan led prayers, preached, and laid the spiritual foundation of what would become Kashmir’s most revered shrine. His 30-month stay saw him travel across the Valley, spreading Islamic teachings and inspiring the construction of khanqahs (Sufi lodges) and mosques.
Third Visit – 1384 AD
Ill health marked his final journey to the Valley. After less than a year, he set out for Turkistan via Ladakh, pausing in Shey village, Leh, where he and his companions built the first mosque in Ladakh. His final days were spent in Kunnar as a royal guest of King Khazar Shah. On January 19, 1385 AD, Shah-i-Hamdan passed away. Initially buried in Swat due to winter conditions, his remains were later reinterred in Koulab (present-day Tajikistan) on July 4, 1385, fulfilling his wish to rest there alongside his family.
The Khanqahs: Spiritual and Cultural Beacons
Wherever Shah-i-Hamdan travelled, he left a network of khanqahs and mosques, built under his guidance or later by his son, Mir Muhammad Hamdani (RA). These included:
- Khanqah Faiz Panah, Tral
- Khanqahi Amirya, Pampore
- Khanqahi Walla, Wachi
- Khanqahi Amirya, Monghama
- Khanqah of Shey, Ladakh
But the most iconic remains Khanqah-e-Moula in Srinagar — not merely a place of worship, but a living monument to over six centuries of Kashmir’s spiritual heritage.
The shrine’s architecture bears the hallmark of Central Asian design, blending intricately carved wood, sculpted stone, and small brickwork. Shah-i-Hamdan himself laid the stone plinth, but it was his son, Mir Muhammad Hamdani, who completed its construction between 1396 and 1399 AD during the reign of Sultan Sikandar. The project was made possible through the generous patronage of Sultan Sikandar and the influential Seh Butt.
Mir Muhammad Hamdani’s Mission
Mir Muhammad Hamdani arrived in Kashmir with the same purpose that had driven his father — to deepen the roots of Islam in the Valley. Supported by Sultan Sikandar, he expanded the network of khanqahs and mosques, ensuring that the message of peace, knowledge, and spiritual refinement reached every corner of Kashmir.
A Legacy Beyond Stone and Mortar
Shah-i-Hamdan’s contribution to Kashmir transcends the physical structures he inspired. He introduced not only Islamic theology but also Central Asian art, craft, and social systems. His teachings emphasised ethical governance, spiritual discipline, and community welfare.
The khanqahs he established were more than religious spaces; they became centres of learning, cultural exchange, and social cohesion. From the banks of the Jhelum to the remote corners of Ladakh, his legacy is embedded in the Valley’s spiritual DNA.
Today, more than six centuries after his passing, Shah-i-Hamdan is remembered not merely as the founder of Islam in Kashmir, but as a bridge between cultures — a saint whose journeys reshaped the Valley’s religious and cultural landscape.
His story is not just history; it is the foundation of a living tradition. The call to prayer at Khanqah-e-Moula, the soft murmur of devotees in its wooden halls, and the reverence that greets his name across Kashmir are all echoes of a man who came, stayed, and transformed a land forever.
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of this Magazine.
Box
- Born: October 21, 1314 AD, Hamdan (Iran)
- Lineage: Direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
- Spiritual Order: Kubrawi Sufi order
- First Visit to Kashmir: 1372 AD
- Second Visit: 1380 AD, accompanied by 700 Syeds
- Third Visit: 1384 AD, ended due to ill health
- Built First Mosque in Ladakh: Shey village
- Passed Away: January 19, 1385 AD, Kunnar
- Final Resting Place: Koulab, present-day Tajikistan
- Major Legacy: Khanqah-e-Moula, Srinagar, plus network of khanqahs across Kashmir and Ladakh
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