Chiragh Dehli, Shaikh Nasir al-Din Mahmud

(?-1356)

   He was a successor ((khalifa) of Shaikh Nizam al-Din Auliya at Delhi who continued to coordinate the activities of the Chishti order in India after the passing away of his preceptor in 1325. A collection of his sayings, Khair ul-majalis (Beneficent Con-versations) compiled by Hamid Qalandar, is regarded as a major Sufic tract produced in India. Nasir al-Din Chiragh emphasized the confirmation of Sufic doctrines by the Quran and sunna. Like his pre-ceptor, he was quite indifferent toward political authorities. He be-lieved in not reacting to personal harm and violence. Nasir al-Din did not nominate any deputy and willed that all the sacred relics be buried with him in his grave. One of his distinguished disciples was Saiyed Muhammad Gesudaraz, who became famous for propagating Sufic ideals in the Deccan.