Sufi Lineages in India

Abdul Jilani and the Qadiri Order: Sufi Facts

Shaikh Abdul Jilani was the founder of the Qadiri order and does not belong to the Chishti order. Moinuddin Chishti and Nizamuddin Auliya are famous Chishti saints.

Primary Reference: NCERT Class XII - Themes in Indian History Part II

Archived: 2016

Updated: 17 Nov 2025

Exam Year

2016

Evidence Source

Link ↗

Who among the following does NOT belong to the Chishti order?

[R.A.S./R.T.S. Prelims 2016]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

Sufism in India was organized into diverse 'Silsilas' (orders). The Chishti order was the most popular, while others like the Qadiri were more secular or orthodox.

Authentic Source Evidence

Shaikh Abdul Jilani (also known as Ghaus-al-Azam) was the founder of the Qadiri order in Baghdad. In contrast, Moinuddin (C) founded the Chishti order in India, and Kaki (A) and Auliya (D) were his prominent successors in the same lineage.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: Option B is the correct answer to 'NOT belong'. Abdul Jilani's order arrived in India much later than the Chishtis.

Logic 2: The Qadiri order, unlike the Chishtis, often adhered more closely to the tenets of the Quran and Sunnah and was followed by Mughal royalty like Dara Shikoh.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"Which Mughal prince was a famous follower of the Qadiri order?"

Dara Shikoh, who authored 'Majma-ul-Bahrain' (The Confluence of the Two Seas), was a major patron of the Qadiri silsila.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"While the Chishtis focused on reaching the masses through music (Sama), the Qadiri order was known for its piety and scholarly influence on the elite."

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

Chishti Order 4 Dara Shikoh 7

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