Module 5: Sufism, Islamic Institutions, Sikhism and Christianity in Bihar
Concept
Subtopic 5.1: Maneri, Patna Sahib and the early church
- Sufism in Bihar began in the twelfth century when Imam Taj Faqih, the earliest major Sufi saint of the region, settled at Maner. The Firdausi order became the most popular silsila in the province.
- Makhdum Sharfuddin Ahmad Yahya Maneri was born at Maner in 1290 CE. He later set up his khanqah at Bihar Sharif, died there, and his dargah remains a pilgrimage site. His teachings are in the letters Maktubat-e-Sadi and the treatises Adab-ul-Muridin and Ma'adan-ul-Ma'ani.
- In 1921 Maulana Mohammad Sajjad founded Imarat-e-Shariya at Phulwari Sharif near Patna, to guide the religious, judicial and social affairs of Muslims. He also organised the Bihar branch of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind.
- Guru Nanak Dev was the first Sikh Guru to travel through Bihar. The tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, was born at Patna City on 26 December 1666 to Mata Gujri Devi. The birthplace is Takht Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib. He first sent masands to oversee congregations and collect offerings, and later abolished the masand system because of complaints of exploitation.
- Christianity was first preached in Bihar by Roman Catholic priests. Mughal Governor Muqarrab Khan is said to have embraced Christianity. On Emperor Jahangir's order a Christian church organisation was set up in Patna in 1620. The first church building, known as Padri Ki Haveli, rose in Patna City in 1713. In the modern period Bishop Anastasius Hartmann was posted to Patna.
- Maulana Mohammad Sajjad founded Imarat-e-Shariya at Phulwari Sharif in 1921.
- Maulana Mohammad Sajjad organised the Bihar branch of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind.
- Mughal accounts say that Governor Muqarrab Khan converted to Christianity.
- Guru Gobind Singh was born on 26 December 1666.
- Guru Gobind Singh sent masands to Bihar, and later abolished the masand system.
- Roman Catholic priests first propagated Christianity in Bihar.
- The first Christian church in Bihar was built in Patna City in 1713 and is known as Padri Ki Haveli.
- A Christian church organisation was established in Patna in 1620 on the order of Emperor Jahangir.
- Bishop Anastasius Hartmann was posted to Patna for Christian missionary work.
- Imam Taj Faqih was the earliest major Sufi saint. He settled at Maner in the twelfth century.
- The Firdausi order gained the greatest popularity in Bihar.
- Makhdum Sharfuddin Maneri was the great saint of the Firdausi order. He was born at Maner in 1290 CE.
- Maktubat-e-Sadi is his collected letters. Adab-ul-Muridin and Ma'adan-ul-Ma'ani are his treatises.
- Makhdum Sharfuddin Maneri passed away at Bihar Sharif, where his dargah stands.
- Guru Nanak Dev was the first Sikh Guru to visit Bihar.
- Guru Gobind Singh was born at Patna City to Mata Gujri Devi.
- Question: Who founded Imarat-e-Shariya, an important Muslim institution at Phulwari Sharif in Patna? Answer: Maulana Mohammad Sajjad.
- Question: Who organised the branch of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind in Bihar? Answer: Maulana Mohammad Sajjad.
- Question: About which Governor of Bihar is it said that he converted to Christianity? Answer: Muqarrab Khan.
- Question: When was Guru Gobind Singh born? Answer: 26 December 1666.
- Question: Which Guru of Sikhism sent his religious representatives, or masands, to Bihar? Answer: Guru Gobind Singh.
- Question: Who first preached Christianity in Bihar? Answer: Roman Catholic priests.
- Question: Where was the first Christian church built in Bihar? Answer: Patna City.
- Question: When was the Christian church organisation established in Patna? Answer: In 1620.
- Question: Who was posted to Patna in the modern era for the propagation of Christianity? Answer: Anastasius Hartmann.
- Question: Who was the earliest important Sufi saint of Bihar? Answer: Imam Taj Faqih.
- Question: Which silsila, or Sufi order, attained the highest popularity in Bihar? Answer: Firdausi.
- Question: To which silsila was the saint Makhdum Sharfuddin Maneri related? Answer: Firdausi.
- Question: From which of the following works is information about the teachings of Makhdum Sharfuddin Maneri obtained? Answer: All of the above.
- Question: Where did the saint Makhdum Sharfuddin Maneri pass away? Answer: In Bihar Sharif.
- Question: Who was the first among the Sikh Gurus to travel through Bihar? Answer: Guru Nanak Dev.
- Question: Where was Sri Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of Sikhism, born? Answer: Patna City.
MCQs
Answer this question, then use Next.
Question 31: Who founded Imarat-e-Shariya, an important Muslim institution at Phulwari Sharif in Patna?
Question 32: Who organised the branch of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind in Bihar?
Question 33: About which Governor of Bihar is it said that he converted to Christianity?
Question 38: When was Guru Gobind Singh born?
Question 39: Which Guru of Sikhism sent his religious representatives, or masands, to Bihar?
Question 40: Who first preached Christianity in Bihar?
Question 41: Where was the first Christian church built in Bihar?
Question 42: When was the Christian church organisation established in Patna?
Question 43: Who was posted to Patna in the modern era for the propagation of Christianity?
Question 48: Who was the earliest important Sufi saint of Bihar?
Question 49: Which silsila, or Sufi order, attained the highest popularity in Bihar?
Question 50: To which silsila was the saint Makhdum Sharfuddin Maneri related?
Question 51: From which of the following works is information about the teachings of Makhdum Sharfuddin Maneri obtained?
Question 52: Where did the saint Makhdum Sharfuddin Maneri pass away?
Question 54: Who was the first among the Sikh Gurus to travel through Bihar?
Question 55: Where was Sri Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of Sikhism, born?
One-liners
Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.
Who founded Imarat-e-Shariya, an important Muslim institution at Phulwari Sharif in Patna?
Maulana Mohammad Sajjad.Who organised the branch of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind in Bihar?
Maulana Mohammad Sajjad.About which Governor of Bihar is it said that he converted to Christianity?
Muqarrab Khan.When was Guru Gobind Singh born?
26 December 1666.Which Guru of Sikhism sent his religious representatives, or masands, to Bihar?
Guru Gobind Singh.Who first preached Christianity in Bihar?
Roman Catholic priests.Where was the first Christian church built in Bihar?
Patna City.When was the Christian church organisation established in Patna?
In 1620.Who was posted to Patna in the modern era for the propagation of Christianity?
Anastasius Hartmann.Who was the earliest important Sufi saint of Bihar?
Imam Taj Faqih.Which silsila, or Sufi order, attained the highest popularity in Bihar?
Firdausi.To which silsila was the saint Makhdum Sharfuddin Maneri related?
Firdausi.From which of the following works is information about the teachings of Makhdum Sharfuddin Maneri obtained?
All of the above.Where did the saint Makhdum Sharfuddin Maneri pass away?
In Bihar Sharif.Who was the first among the Sikh Gurus to travel through Bihar?
Guru Nanak Dev.Where was Sri Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of Sikhism, born?
Patna City.