Written by: Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro
Posted on: June 13, 2025 | 
| 中文
Grave of Faqir Nanik Yousaf (Picture credits to Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro)
Sindh is generally recognized for its rich cultural heritage, with Sufi traditions at its forefront. The shrines dedicated to Sufi saints and poets serve as important sources of solace for devotees across the province. One noteworthy figure from the nineteenth-century Khairpur district was Faqir Nanak Yousaf, also spelt as Nanik Yousaf.
I have visited the shrine of Faqir Nanik Yousaf three times. During each visit, I observed devotees seated on the floor and leaning against the walls of the shrine, reciting the poignant poetry of Faqir Nanik Yousaf. One of the most vibrant times to visit the shrine is during the annual festival. During this event, the enchanting Sufi raag captivates the audience, presenting not only the beautiful verses of Faqir Nanik Yousaf but also the poetry of his spiritual mentor, Sachal Sarmast. The melodies of Sufi raag, characterized by their spiritual depth and emotional resonance, are a hallmark of Sufi shrines throughout Sindh.
The shrine itself is a bustling hub for devotees who come from far and wide to pay homage to the revered Sufi poet. Upon entering the shrine, one notices a bell hung on a tree. The devotees ring this bell to announce their entry into the sacred premises of Faqir Nanik Yousaf.
Bells at the shrine of Faqir Nanik Yousaf (Picture credits to Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro)
Muhammad Yousaf alias Faqir Nanik Yousaf was born in 1208 AH/1792 AD. There is no precise information available regarding his birth. According to a few authors who wrote his hagiography, it is believed that he was born around 1792. This information was provided by Dr. Nabi Bakhsh Khan Baloch and also written by Tanveer Abbasi and others. Both Dr. Nabi Bakhsh Khan and Dr. Tanveer Abbasi assert that the earliest documented source regarding Faqir Nanik Yousaf can be traced back to Master Muhammad Musa Soomro, a school teacher. In 1898, he was transferred to the village of Faqir Nanik Yousaf, where he met Faqir Abdullah Brohi, a companion of Faqir Nanik Yousaf, and subsequently gathered significant information from him. It is believed that Master Muhammad Musa was the first hagiographer of Faqir Nanik Yousaf, and subsequent authors have relied on his hagiographical account as a foundational source for their works. Dr. Nabi Bakhsh Khan Balcoh notes in "Mazmon Ain Maqala" (2020:464) that Mian Muhammad Musa, the son of Muhammad Usman Soomro, was the first to gather information about Faqir Nanik Yousaf. His son, Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, later compiled this information into a hagiography. Mian Muhammad Musa was a devotee of Faqir Nanik Yousaf. According to Dr. Nabi Bakhsh Khan Balcoh, Mian Muhammad Musa passed away in 1939.
At the grave of Faqir Nanik Yousaf (Picture credits to Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro)
When visiting the shrine in Agra village, one will notice that the year of birth is indicated as 1783 on both his grave and the entrance to the shrine. It is uncertain which source is accurate: the one provided by the authors or the information given by the shrine's custodian.
According to Tanveer Abbasi (2014), Molvi Muhammad Hashim Khokhar, the father of Nanik Faqir Yousaf, was a learned scholar of Persian and Arabic. Tanveer Abbasi also notes that Molvi Muhammad Hashim Khokhar's family originally migrated from Siri and settled in Kandi Khokhar village, near Jhal Magsi in Balochistan. Moreover, Tazkira Mashaheer-e-Sindh, Vol. I, written by Maulana Din Muhammad Wafai (1991), reveals that Faqir Nanik Yousaf lived in a village near Larkana. In the later years of his life, he moved to Khairpur state. Faqir Nanik Yousaf was a disciple of Sachal Sarmast. If one reads other works, one learns that the father of Faqir Nanik Yousaf was from Kandri village near Jhal Maqsi. He established a madrasa (seminary) in Jhal town, where he taught students. Mian Khan Magsi, a nobleman from the town, compensated him for his teaching services.
The shrine of Faqir Nanik Yousaf (Picture credits to Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro)
One learns from "Nanik Yousaf Jo Kalam," compiled by Tanveer Abbasi (2014), that Faqir Nanik Yousaf spent his childhood in Kandi Khokar village of Jhal, where he studied fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), tafsir (Quranic exegesis), and logic. After the death of his father, he succeeded him and continued teaching at the madrasa in Jhal. Later on, he embarked on a journey in search of a spiritual mentor. After mediating at various places, he finally settled in a village in Khairpur.
The hagiographies of Sufi saints and poets often lack sufficient details to establish any authentic information on specific aspects of their lives.
There are also interesting stories about how Faqir Nanik Yousaf received the title of Nanak/Nanik. Faqir Nanik Yousaf regarded Sachal Sarmast as his mentor, murshid, guardian, and guru in his poetic works. The origin of the title "Nanak," which was bestowed upon him, is subject to various interpretations. One particular narrative recounts an occasion when Sachal Sarmast was sitting with his followers (Faqirs) and asked if anyone could recite poetry in Hindi. In response, Faqir Nanik Yousaf indicated that he could and proceeded to recite Hindi poetry. The profound impact of his recitation impressed Sachal Sarmast, who subsequently remarked, "You are Nanak!" Referring to the Sikh Guru Nanak, he conferred upon him the title of "Nanak", which later was Sindhi-ized as Nanik and asked him to travel to Amritsar to visit the sacred sites and share his philosophical insights there.
Picture of Sachal Sarmast on a wall of Faqir Nanik Yousaf's shrine. (Picture credits to Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro)
Tanveer Abbasi (2014:25) believes that upon arriving in Amritsar, Faqir Nanik Yousaf declared himself to be Guru Nanak, which sent shockwaves through the Sikh community. The Sikhs in Amritsar challenged him to prove his assertion by asking him to jump into a large container of boiling oil. Accepting their challenge, he observed the boiling oil and noticed an insect moving within it, a sign that he believed indicated he could do it. He then jumped into the pot of boiling oil and emerged unharmed. Following this miraculous act, many Sikhs became his disciples. Regardless of the story's authenticity, it remains popular among his followers in Sindh. During his travel to Amritsar, some of his eminent disciples, including Abdullah Faqir, Dandan Faqir Narejo, Allahdad Faqir and Bulo Faqir, also accompanied him.
Faqir Nanik Yousaf, also known as Nanik Shah, composed poetry in Sindhi, Saraiki and Hindi. While significantly influenced by his mentor, Sachal Sarmast (d. 1827), his poetry exhibits its own uniqueness and freshness. His poetry is recited and sung during the annual festival at his shrine.
Faqir Nank Yousaf also enjoyed good relations with the Mirs of Khairpur state.
According to Tanveer Abbasi (2014:27), Faqir Nanik Yousaf had three wives and four sons: Muhammad Younis, Jhandal, Abdur Rehman, and Nooruddin. He also had two daughters named Mai Ghulam Fatema and Mai Bhag Bhari. It is said that Mai Ghulam Fatema was married to Khwaja Najamuddin, who was the father of Sakhi Qabul Muhammad II. Therefore, Sakhi Qabul Muhammad II was a grandson (Dohato) of Faqir Nanik Yousaf. His other daughter, Mai Bhag Bhari, was married to Allahando Faqir Kalhoro, who was the son of Naimtullah.
Faqir Nank Yousaf died in 1853 and was buried in Agra village in Khairpur’s Gambat taluka. Apart from the` grave of Faqir Nanik Yousaf other principal graves in the shrine include those of his sons, including Faqir Muhammad Younis, Jhandal, Abdur Rehman, Mian Nooruddin and grandsons Bakhat Faqir, son of Muhammad Younis and Ali Nawaz, son of Bakhat Ali.
Graves of Faqir Nanik Yousaf's family (Picture credits to Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro)
Faqir Nanik emerged as a significant Sufi poet in the nineteenth century, recognized for his profound spiritual insights and eloquent lyrical expressions. His poetry had a considerable influence on many of his disciples, who also composed poetry. Their shrines have become notable pilgrimage sites in Sindh.
The writer is an anthropologist. He has authored 17 books on Pakistan's cultural heritage and anthropology. He tweets @kalhorozulfiqar. He may be contacted at zulfi04@hotmail.com.
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