Hazrat Syed Nasirud-Din Baghdadi Qadri: A Sufi Saint Who Enlightened Assam
By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam
27 October 2025
Hazrat Nasirud-Din Baghdadi Qadri, a Baghdad-born Sufi saint, played a key role in spreading Islam, education, and communal harmony across Bengal and Assam. Founder of Goalpara’s Mazharul Uloom Madrasah, he blended spirituality with scholarship, leaving behind a lasting spiritual and educational legacy.
Main Points:
1. Descendant of Baghdad’s Qadri Sufi lineage, son of Hazrat Qurban Ali.
2. Assisted Sir Syed Ahmad Khan in Aligarh’s educational movement.
3. Spread Islam and Sufism across Bengal and Assam.
4. Founded Khanqah, Mosque, and Mazharul Uloom Madrasah in Goalpara.
5. Renowned poet-scholar fluent in Urdu, Persian, and Arabic.
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Hazrat Syed Nasirud-Din Baghdadi Qadri, fondly remembered as Baghdadi Pir Sahib, was a distinguished Sufi saint of the Goalpara district in Assam. A man of deep spirituality, scholarship, and service, he played a key role in spreading the message of Islam and promoting education in eastern India.
From Baghdad to India
Born into a noble family of Baghdad, Hazrat Baghdadi was the son of Hazrat Qurban Ali, who migrated to India. His early years in the subcontinent saw him travel widely. He first arrived in Bombay and later moved to Uttar Pradesh to engage in the jewellery business. During his stay, he became closely associated with the reformist movement led by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, the founder of the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College (now Aligarh Muslim University). Hazrat Baghdadi actively helped in collecting funds for the college, reflecting his commitment to education and social upliftment.
Travels Across Bengal
After completing his mission in Aligarh, Hazrat Baghdadi travelled to Calcutta and the Sundarbans region of Bengal. Later, he settled in Sirajganj in the district of Pabna (now Bangladesh) to pursue the jute trade. He married there and lived for several years before moving to Mymensingh, where he owned property and established a residence. He had three sons from his first wife.
In Bengal, Hazrat Baghdadi gained a large following. His disciples and admirers were spread across Sirajganj, Mymensingh, and beyond. His message of peace, brotherhood, and devotion inspired people from all walks of life.
Settling in Goalpara, Assam
Eventually, Hazrat Baghdadi migrated to Katarihara (also known as Jaleswar), near Lakhimpur in the Goalpara district of Assam. When he arrived, the area was sparsely populated. He acquired about 800 Bighas of land from the local Zamindar to build a Khanqah (spiritual retreat), a mosque, a madrasah, and a Musafir Khana (rest house). The site soon became a vibrant centre of learning and spirituality.
What made his establishment remarkable was its inclusivity — food and shelter were offered to everyone, regardless of caste, creed, or religion. During his time in Goalpara, he converted a Christian family to Islam and later married a daughter from that family. He was blessed with three daughters from his second wife.
Scholar, Poet, and Visionary
Hazrat Nasirud-Din Baghdadi Qadri was not only a saint but also a distinguished scholar and poet. Fluent in Urdu, Persian, and Arabic, he composed poetry in all three languages. He was deeply knowledgeable in the Qur’an, Hadith, and Islamic jurisprudence, and frequently quoted from them in his discussions.
Apart from his religious learning, he also had a sound grasp of economics, geography, and politics. His literary work Ash’ar-e-Haqaiq remains a testimony to his intellectual brilliance and spiritual insight.
Legacy of Education
Education was at the heart of Hazrat Baghdadi’s mission. He founded the Katirinara Mazharul Uloom Senior Madrasah without seeking any government assistance. Determined to maintain high academic standards, he brought qualified teachers from Sylhet and Chittagong. Today, the madrasah continues to function under the State Madrasah Board of Assam, carrying forward his vision of blending Islamic and modern education.
Passing and Remembrance
Hazrat Syed Nasirud-Din Baghdadi Qadri left this world on the 5th of Magh, 1342 B.S. (1936 CE), on a Tuesday during the day. His Urs Sharif (death anniversary) is observed every year on the 8th of Magh at his Khanqah in Goalpara, where devotees gather to honour his memory and teachings.
Hazrat Baghdadi Pir Sahib’s life remains a shining example of dedication to faith, education, and humanity. Through his wisdom and service, he not only transformed the spiritual landscape of Assam but also sowed the seeds of social harmony and enlightenment that continue to bloom to this day.
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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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