Ajan Fakir

Ajan Fakir Biography

Ajan Fakir was a Sufi Syed, poet, Muslim preacher and saint who lived in the 17^th century. He was originally from Bagdad, who came to Assam from Ajmer, accompanied by his brother and later got settled here. His name is also pronounced as Azan Pir, Hazrat Shah Miran, and Shah Milan and his real name is Shah Miran. He played a significant role in reinforcing and stabilizing Islam in Assam and is known for his contributions to unify the people of the Brahmaputra valley. He created two forms of devotional songs, Zikir and Zari. Both were derived versions of folk songs and used to popularize Islam in Assam. An Assamese film titled Ajan Faquir Saheb (2008) is a biopic of this Muslim saint and philosopher.

His real name is "Hazarat Shah Syed Mainuddin", as per another source. He was a disciple of Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya in Baghdad. He came to Assam India accompanied by his brother Shah Navi, and settled in Soraguri Sapori after he married a woman of high social status. He originally spoke Arabic. But he mastered the local language once he got settled at Gorgaon, near modern Sibsagar town. He taught the Muslims of Assam to recite Azan as a prayer ritual. That’s how he received the title - Ajan Fakir or Ajan Pir. He composed Zikirs - a type of spiritual songs.

His songs made deep influence on the natives and he had numerous followers. But a Muslim official, Rupai Dadhora got jealous with him and he made believe the king that he is a Mughal spy. The king ordered to pluck both his eyes as punishment. But later king made a matha for him which is a pilgrim place now.

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Updated: September 05, 2014