RAS question
The Chishti Sufi order in India was established by:
Correct answer: (B) Moinuddin Chishti (Ajmer, 12th century).
Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti established the Chishti Sufi order in India at Ajmer in the 12th century.
Explanation
The Chishti order in India is linked to Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, who established it at Ajmer around the 12th century. Encyclopaedia Britannica notes that the Chishtiyah was brought to India by Khwajah Muin-ad-Din Chishti in the 12th century. This is why the founder asked in the question is not any later or associated Chishti figure, but Moinuddin Chishti himself. Moinuddin Chishti is also placed in the approximate period c. 1141-1236, and later prominent Chishti saints include Bakhtiyar Kaki, Fariduddin Ganjshakar, Nizamuddin Auliya and Salim Chishti, showing how the order developed after its Indian establishment.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Amir Khusrau is not identified by Encyclopaedia Britannica as the person who brought or established the Chishti order in India.
- (C) Shah Waliullah is not connected with establishing the Chishti order in India; that role belongs to Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.
- (D) Nizamuddin Auliya was a notable Chishti saint of Delhi, not the founder who established the order in India.
Concept
This tests the medieval Indian history theme of Sufi orders and their leading saints. It recurs in RAS because founder-place-order pairings such as Chishti-Ajmer are standard factual anchors in the Bhakti-Sufi section.