The Waqf Estates of Pānḍūa: Historical Analysis (from Fifteenth to Twentieth Centuries)

Abstract

In its first section, the article examines the creation of two major Sufi institutions, the khanqāhs of Shaikh Jalāluddīn Tabrīzī (d. 1225) known as Badi dargāh and Shaikh Nūr Quṭb Ālam (d. 1410) as Chhotī dargāh. Further, for the smooth functioning and maintenance, the rulers of Ilyas Shahi dynasty and other independent rulers of Bengal endowed rent-free lands to the respective khanqāhs presently known as Bāis Hazārī and Shash Hazārī waqf estates. The present study also attempts to look into a more comprehensive and detailed analysis of the sanads concerning with these grants were confirmed and continued by the Mughal emperors, Nawab Nazims of Bengal and British officials that testify to the importance of the place during the pre-colonial times. The extensive property enjoyed by the mutawallis of these dargāhs continued till date. The focus of the article in its second section, on the historical changes of these waqf estates basing on official records from these institutions, court proceedings of the litigations, historical works by the mutawallis and other connected histories. This examination is followed by a discussion of the gradual decline of these institutions and subsequent patronage for the education and other measures of welfare for the society.