The Dargah of Hazrat Jahoorwali Baba Quadri: Solapur's Sacred Syncretism
By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam
2 June 2025
Hazrat Jahoorwali Baba's 14th-century dargah in Solapur is a major Islamic shrine beside the Siddheshwar Temple, attracting Hindu and Muslim devotees. Founded by a saint who travelled from Yemen on divine instruction, it symbolizes historic interfaith harmony. His urs is observed annually.
Main Points:
1. Situated in central Solapur, adjacent to the famous Siddheshwar Temple.
2. Houses the 700 Hijri tomb of Jahoorwali Baba within a domed room, plus graves of followers in the courtyard.
3. Attracts large numbers of both Muslim and Hindu devotees seeking blessings and solutions to problems; historically had direct access to the Siddheshwar Temple.
4. Founded by Hazrat Jahoorwali Baba Quadri, a Husaini Sayyid who journeyed from Yemen (via Iran/Afghanistan) to Solapur on divine command.
5. Commemorated on the 9th-12th of Safar al-Muzaffar; life details preserved orally by disciples.
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The Dargah of Hazrat Haji Syed Shah Jahoorwali Quadri Shahenshah is situated in the heart of Solapur town. A famous temple of Siddheshwar is located right next to it.
The dargah of Jahoorwali Baba features a large historical structure, built long ago when Jahoorwali Baba passed away in 700 Hijri. The main structure is an Islamic tomb – a domed room housing the Baba's grave. Many more graves belonging to his relatives, friends, and followers are located outside this room, within the courtyard. Several faqirs also reside at the dargah. One of these faqirs assists the mujawar, Sajjade Nasim (the hereditary mujawar), in cleaning the premises and receiving visitors.
Muslims frequent the dargah in large numbers regularly, especially on Thursdays and Fridays. Many Hindus also visit frequently. Some of them visit the Siddheshwar temple first before coming to the dargah. The spirit of the Baba is considered very powerful, and many people involved in litigation, court cases, or facing trade-related problems visit the dargah seeking solutions. Sick people also visit the place for cures. The mujawar or khadim offers them sacred water, ash, and flowers as medicine.
(An elderly Hindu devotee and her granddaughter at the outer gate of the dargah | Image: Muhammad Yusuf Razvi)
Previously, the link between the Siddheshwar temple and the Jahoorwali dargah was quite strong, and Hindus visiting both shrines consecutively was much more common. In fact, the samadhi of Siddheswar Baba is located inside the temple, directly across the boundary wall. In the last few years, relations have soured, and the matter was taken to court. Previously, there was no wall separating the two shrines, allowing direct access from one to the other.
(Hindu devotees at the dargah | Image: Muhammad Yusuf Razvi)
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According to the mujawar, Siddheswar Baba was a murid (follower) of Jahoorwali Baba. One day, when Siddheshwar felt thirsty, there was no water available. He pleaded with the Baba to provide water. Baba then blessed him, saying his place would always have abundant water. Today, a large lake exists within the Siddheshwar temple complex. It is also stated that Jahoorwali Baba granted the land for the Siddheshwar temple. It may be noted that Siddheswar Baba is considered originally to have been a deity of the Dhangar community when they were the majority in historical times. The Siddheshwar Temple has now been totally Sanskritized.
Hazrat Shah Jahoorwali Baba Quadri, also known as Shahenshah-e-Solapur, received a divine command (basharat) from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to travel towards Hind (India). The Prophet said the place where he stopped would be his final resting place. Upon hearing this command, Hazrat Jahoorwali Baba Quadri left everything behind and set out for Hind. Several companions also accompanied him on this journey to India.
Leaving his homeland of Yemen, Hazrat Jahoorwali Baba travelled through Iran, then Afghanistan, and finally reached India. He visited several cities across India before arriving in Solapur, Maharashtra. There, he chose to settle, remembering the words of the Prophet (peace be upon him). For this reason, the dargah of Hazrat Shah Jahoorwali Baba still stands at that very spot in Solapur.
Jahoorwali Baba was a Husaini Sayyid, meaning his lineage traces back to Hazrat Imam Hussain. The name of his khalifa (spiritual successor) was Hazrat Sultan Shah Quadri. Unfortunately, no written biography or book about his life has been found to date. The available information about him has been passed down orally through generations of his disciples and their disciples.
The urs (death anniversary commemoration) of Hazrat Jahoorwali Baba Quadri is observed every year on the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th of Safar al-Muzaffar.
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A regular contributor to New Age Islam, Sahil Razvi is a research scholar specialising in Sufism and Islamic History. He is an alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia.
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