Hindu Sufis of South Asia

Book Description

In the vibrant tapestry of South Asian spirituality, a remarkable community emerges that challenges conventional religious boundaries. Michel Boivin unveils the extraordinary story of Hindu Sindhis who, following the 1947 partition, carried their unique spiritual heritage from Sindh to India while maintaining their devotion to Sufi saints and practices.

This compelling exploration reveals how a displaced community preserved an ancient synthesis of Hindu and Islamic mystical traditions. Through careful examination of sacred poetry, ritual practices, and architectural spaces, Boivin illuminates how these spiritual seekers created darbars, special shrines where Hindu devotees honor Sufi saints, recite mystical verses, and engage in contemplative ceremonies that transcend traditional religious categories.

The book demonstrates how this community navigated the increasingly rigid religious divisions of modern India and Pakistan while sustaining their trans-religious identity. Their story offers profound insights into the possibilities of interfaith harmony and the resilience of mystical traditions in an age of religious polarization.

For readers interested in understanding how spiritual communities adapt and thrive across cultural boundaries, this work provides a fascinating window into a living tradition that embodies the deeper unity underlying diverse religious expressions. Boivin's research reveals the enduring power of mystical devotion to bridge seemingly incompatible worldviews, offering hope for contemporary interfaith dialogue and understanding.