Hazrat Baba Nasruddin Rishi (Rahmatullah Alaih) Kashmir’s Fourth Khalifa of Nund Rishi’s Sacred Order
By Altamash Ali, New Age Islam
30 October 2025
Born late 14th century in Sazipur village, Yech Pargana, Kashmir. from wealthy Hindu Rajput (Rather) family. Original name: Vitar.Nusr.Avatar.
Main Points:
1. Met Sheikh Nooruddin Noorani (Nund Rishi) just before marriage renounced wealth, accepted him as guru, joined Rishi order.
2. Spread the Rishi tradition blending Hindu yogic simplicity with Islamic Sufism, training disciples to foster unity and non-violence.
3. Born in a wealthy Hindu Rajput family, Baba Nasruddin Rishi renounced worldly life after meeting Sheikh Nooruddin and became his fourth Khalifa.
4. Managed the community kitchen with equality for all, promoting Kashmiriyat and declaring "Service is worship."
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The sacred land of Kashmir has always been the birthplace of Sufi saints and rishis. Its lush green valleys, snow-capped peaks, and flowing rivers not only spread the beauty of nature but also radiate spiritual light. Among these is one shining star: Hazrat Baba Nasruddin Rishi He was the fourth of the four main Khalifas of Kashmir’s great Sufi saint Sheikh Nooruddin Noorani also known as Nund Rishi. Baba Nasruddin Rishi’s life is a living example of simplicity, sacrifice, service, and divine love. He came from a wealthy Hindu Rajput family, but his spiritual quest led him to Islam and made him a part of the Rishi tradition. In Kashmir’s Sufi tradition, the Rishi order holds great importance, connecting the simplicity of Hindu yogis with Islamic Tasawwuf. Baba Nasruddin Rishi strengthened this tradition and showed people the path of truth through his life.
He was born in the late 14th century in the village of Sazipur in the Yech Pargana of Kashmir, into a prosperous Hindu Rajput family. His original name was Vitar, Nusr, or Avatar, as mentioned in various historical texts. Being from the Rather Rajput clan, he was surrounded by worldly comforts. His father was a wealthy landowner with fields, servants, and no shortage of luxuries. From childhood, Baba Ji showed a spiritual inclination. He would often wander in forests, meditate, and converse with nature. But worldly attachments kept him tied to family responsibilities. One day, fate played its part. His parents proposed his marriage. But just before the wedding, he met Sheikh Nooruddin Noorani Kashmir’s greatest Sufi saint. Reaching Sheikh Sahib’s Khanqah in Charar-e-Sharif, Baba Ji had a divine experience. Sheikh Nooruddin’s words and spiritual radiance captivated him. He immediately sent his parents back and accepted Sheikh Sahib as his spiritual guide. This moment was the turning point of his life.
He renounced all wealth, adopted a simple life, and was initiated into the Rishi tradition. Sheikh Nooruddin appointed him as his Khalifa. Among the four main Khalifas
Hazrat Baba Bamuddin Rishi (Rahmatullah Alaih)
Hazrat Baba Zainuddin Rishi (Rahmatullah Alaih)
Hazrat Baba Latifuddin Rishi (Rahmatullah Alaih)
Hazrat Baba Nasruddin Rishi (Rahmatullah Alaih)
Sheikh Sahib once said, “Buma, Nasr, Zain, and Latif—these four are pure and beautiful.” Baba Nasruddin spent most of his time in Charar-e-Sharif. Here he performed intense austerities. He ate wild grass and vegetables, sometimes drinking water mixed with ash. His penance was so deep that people began to see him as a source of miracles. But Sheikh Nooruddin taught him balance. Once, when some people complained that Baba Ji fed others grass while drinking milk himself, Sheikh Sahib picked up his cup and offered it to everyone. The cup contained water, not milk! This incident is an example of his simplicity and devotion to his guru. Such small stories highlight the truth of his life.
Hazrat Baba Nasruddin Rishi’s works were mainly centred on service, penance, and guiding people on the spiritual path. Sheikh Nooruddin appointed him the manager of the Langar (community kitchen) at Charar-e-Sharif. This Langar was for the poor, wandering Sufis, and rishis. Baba Ji ran it so efficiently that people came from far and wide. He would say, “Service is worship.” In the Langar, Hindus and Muslims received equal food, strengthening the spirit of Kashmiriyat. His penance was extremely rigorous. He fasted for months and lived alone in forests. Once he became so weak that he couldn’t walk. Sheikh Sahib ordered him to eat rice, as excessive hardship destroys the body. Baba Ji obeyed and lived a balanced life. He stayed away from miracles, but the sick were healed by his prayers. A famous story goes: a poor farmer’s crop was drying up. Baba Ji prayed, and it rained. People said, “Clouds weep at Nasr Rishi’s Dua.
”Baba Ji spread the Rishi order. The Rishi order emphasizes simplicity, non-violence, equality, and Tawhid (oneness of God). He connected the tradition of Hindu yogis with Islamic Sufism. In Kashmir, where religious tensions existed, he became a messenger of peace. He trained many disciples who spread the message village to village. His works deepened Sufi influence in Kashmiri culture. Even today, lakhs of people visit the Dargah at Charar-e-Sharif, which is his legacy. His spirit of service was so profound that he would stay hungry to feed others. Once a tired traveller arrived. Baba Ji gave him his own share and chewed grass himself. This is an example of his generosity.
Hazrat Baba Nasruddin Rishi was not a poet himself, but his contribution to the poetic stream of the Rishi tradition is indirectly immense. He was a source of inspiration in Sheikh Nooruddin’s Shruks Rishi poetry is in Kashmiri language, simple yet profound. Many verses and poems inspired by Baba Ji’s life reveal the depth of Tasawwuf. A famous Shruk from the Rishi tradition reflecting Baba Nasruddin’s simplicity:
Anna Vats Tsori Myen Nabi Rasool
Paigambaran Che Khayal Manz Haar
Rishi Che Raaste Roshni Bakhsh
Duniya Te Alag Ho Jaavo Yaar.
Meaning: The taste of the Prophet and Messenger is in food, keep the thought of prophets in your heart. The path of rishis grants light, detach from the world, O friend. This poem shows his penance and love. Another poem linked to his life:
Nasr Rishi Che Khanqahi Maanzh
Langari Che Chaawal Ghaas Te Behtar
Seva Karo Guru Ki Raah Maanzh
Tauheed Te Prem Hai Asli Khazana.
Meaning: In Nasr Rishi’s Khanqah, Langar’s rice is better than grass. Serve on the guru’s path, Tawhid and love are the real treasure. These poems are translated into simple Hindi. In Rishi poetry, images of nature, sacrifice, and divine love emerge. Baba Ji’s disciples moulded his teachings into Kashmiri folk songs. The 17th-century poet Baba Nasib said: “The rishis lit the candle of faith; they are pioneers on the path of belief.” Baba Nasruddin’s poetic legacy still echoes in Kashmiri Sufi music. Nature is mentioned repeatedly in these poems—mountains, rivers, forests—which are the soul of Kashmir. Another short poem on his sacrifice:
Jungle Maanzh Rishi Che Baso
Ghaas Khaavo, Paani Piyo
Duniya Ke Sukh Sab Bhoolo
Allah Ka Naam Japo.
It simply describes his lifestyle. Hazrat Baba Nasruddin Rishi’s legacy lies in Kashmir’s cultural unity. Around 1450 CE, he passed away and was buried in Charar-e-Sharif alongside Sheikh Nooruddin. Every year, Urs is celebrated at his Dargah, where Hindus and Muslims come together. The Rishi order gave birth to Kashmiriyat, an example of peace and brotherhood. In today’s times, when religious divisions are rising, Baba Ji’s message is relevant: “Live simply, serve, share love.” Through his works, thousands turned to Islam without force. Kashmiri historians call them “Rishi Crusaders,” warriors of love and justice. His stories live in folk tales, teaching children moral lessons. Baba Nasruddin Rishi’s life proves that true spirituality transcends boundaries. He was from a Hindu family but became a Sufi. This shows Kashmir’s generosity. His Dargah is still considered a place of miracles where people make vows.
His disciples carried his message to every village. One disciple said Baba Ji stayed up all night in Namaz and served during the day. Kings and commoners were impressed by his simplicity. Kashmir’s Sultan Zainul Abidin also respected him. He said rishis pray for the state’s peace. Even after Baba Ji’s death, his memories lived on. People built mosques and Khanqahs in his name. Today many places in Kashmir bear his name.
Hazrat Baba Nasruddin Rishi was a saint who made life meaningful through sacrifice. His works shine in Langar service, penance, and guiding disciples. His inspired poems still touch hearts. His memories are embedded in Kashmir’s soil, teaching us that true religion is love. May Allah grant him a high place in Jannah. Ameen.
Rishi Nasr Ki Raah Pe Chalo
Sadgi Te Prem Ki Lau Jalaao
Duniya Ke Moh Se Door Ho Jaao
Guru Ki Dua Se Jannat Paao.
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Altamash Ali is a Sufi writer and a student of IFTM University.
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