Sufi Saints and State Power The Pirs of Sind, 1843}}}1947 [Hardcover]

An examination of British rule in Sind, and especially the role of the local Muslim elite.In this book, Dr Sarah Ansari examines the system of political control constructed by the British in Sind between 1843 and 1947. In particular, she looks at the part of the local Muslim religious elite, the pirs or hereditary sufi saints, whose participation in the system ensured its success.In this book, Dr Sarah Ansari examines the system of political control constructed by the British in Sind between 1843 and 1947. In particular, she looks at the part of the local Muslim religious elite, the pirs or hereditary sufi saints, whose participation in the system ensured its success.Using a wealth of historical material and in-depth interviews, the author looks at the development of the institution of the pir, its power base and the mechanics of the system of control into which the pirs were drawn. The overall success of the political system depended on the willingness of the elite to participate and Dr. Ansari argues that it did indeed work in Sind. This enabled the British to govern while allowing the pirs to adapt to colonial rule, and later independence, without serious damage to their interests.List of maps and illustrations; Acknowledgements; Abbreviations; A note on spelling; Introduction; 1. Sind and its pirs up to 1843; 2. Creating a system of political control after 1843; 3. Challenge to the system: the pir pagaro and the 1890s Hur rebellion; 4. Challenge to the system: the Khilafat movement 19191924; 5. A more complex system of control: pirs and politics under the Raj, 19001947; 6. The final challenge: the pir Pagaro again; Epilogue; Conclusion; Glossary; Bibliography. Overall, scholars will find much in Ansari's work on Sufi saints and state power in Sind to incorporate into larger theoretical frameworks about imperialism or the history of South Asia. Michael H. Fisher, American Historical Review