RAS question
The Chishti saint Nizamuddin Auliya was based in:
Correct answer: (D) Delhi.
The Chishti saint Nizamuddin Auliya was based in Delhi.
Explanation
Nizamuddin Auliya is identified with Delhi in the NCERT discussion of Sufism. NCERT lists the Chishti line of teachers as including Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti of Ajmer, Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki of Delhi, Baba Farid of Punjab, Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya of Delhi and Bandanawaz Gisudaraz of Gulbarga. This matters because the question is not asking about the Chishti order in general, but about one saint's base. His dargah is in the Nizamuddin area of Delhi, and he was Baba Farid's disciple and the teacher of Nasiruddin Chiragh-i-Delhi and Amir Khusrau. Therefore, Delhi is the only option that matches the named Chishti saint.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Ajmer is associated in the NCERT Chishti list with Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti, not with Nizamuddin Auliya.
- (B) Lucknow is not named in the NCERT discussion of Sufism as Nizamuddin Auliya's base.
- (C) Lahore is not the location given for Nizamuddin Auliya; NCERT identifies him as being of Delhi.
Concept
This tests the medieval Indian history theme of Sufi orders and their regional centres. RAS questions often use saint-place associations because they link religious movements, urban centres and Delhi Sultanate-era culture.