Daily Times

The province of Sindh, which is also regarded as the place of Sufi’s, is loaded with temples and shrines of saints. There are multiple historical monuments and buildings scattered throughout the province including: Sheesh Mahal, Fort Digi, Shrine of Bedil & Bekas, Sadhu Belo, Tomb of Seven Sisters, Asthan of Kalka Devi and last but the least Shrine of Sachal Sarmast.

Sindh is indeed the land of Sufis. There are many Sufis who lived in Sindh and Sachal Sarmast was one of them. Recently, I had a chance to visit the mesmerising shrine of Sachal Sarmast, which is situated about 40 kilometres southwest of Khairpur Mir.

The poet strongly believed in tolerance among races, caste and genders. Hindus and Christians also visit his dargah which is an example of pluralism

Sachal Sarmast was a sufi poet from Sindh. He wrote poetry in 7 languages, mostly in Sindhi and Saraiki during the Kalhoro/Talpur era of Sindh. He was born in Daraza, near Ranipur. His real name was Abdul Wahab Farouqi, but he is commonly known by the name of Sachal. His poetry emphasised on Haqeeqi Ishq (divine love) as he was ardent believer of Wahdat-ul-Wujood (unity of existence). In his poetry, one can feel that he strongly believed in tolerance among races, caste and genders.

I tried to translate a poem of Sachal Sarmast;

“The brave speak the truth

Let others like it or not;

For the talk of false friendship, we care not”

At every shrine, the sufi singers are likely to be seen singing the rhythmic and enthralling mystical poetry of famous sufi poets. Upon entering this shrine, I found a group of singers busy performing the local melodies. The local inhabitants informed me that many Hindus and Christians also visit his dargah, which I believe is the best example of plurality and tolerance.

I was also informed by the local authorities that a large number of devotees from across the country converge at the shrine for the Urs. The Urs at the shrine of Sachal Sarmast goes on for 3 days including a mehfil-e-sama and mushaira. The arrangements are made and organised by the Sachal Sarmast Yadgar Committee.

The government of Sindh has also established a library on his name – Sachal Library.  The creation of the library created many controversies. Previously, this library was named as Khairpur’s Public Library but successive governments and authorities kept on changing its name.

It was first opened as Municipal Public Library in 1962, which was inaugurated by the former ruler of the Khairpur state. After three years, it was renamed as Divisional Public Library and was inaugurated by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Again, it was taken over by the Sindh Culture Department and was named after great sufi poet Hazrat Sachal Sarmast. Due to the increase in the visitors as well as ever increasing number of book, the space in the old building fell short, therefore a new building was constructed recently, which was inaugurated by former chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, on 7th January, 2010. The new building has been decorated with many historic pictures of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, taken at the time of library’s inauguration. Beside these pictures are the portraits of former rulers of the Khairpur state and their cabinet members. This beautiful shrine attracts the tourist and people from all over the country.

The writer is a social and political activist based in Lahore.  He can be reached at salmanali088@gmail.com, and Salmani_salu on Twitter

Published in Daily Times, March 28^th 2018.