RAS question
The Suhrawardi silsilah in India was established by:
Correct answer: (A) Bahauddin Zakariya.
Bahauddin Zakariya established the Suhrawardi silsilah in India, with Multan as its major base.
Explanation
Bahauddin Zakariya is the right answer because he was the saint who established the Suhrawardiyya order of Baghdad in medieval South Asia and was based in Multan. He established the Suhrawardi order at Multan, now in Pakistan. The distinction from the Chishtis is important: the Suhrawardis rejected the idea that spirituality required poverty, accepted ordinary food and clothing, and did not keep the same distance from political authority. State patronage under Iltutmish and the spread of Zakariya's influence through southern Punjab and Sindh explain why his name is tied to this silsilah in medieval Indian history.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) Moinuddin Chishti does not fit because the question asks for the Suhrawardi silsilah, while Suhrawardis are distinct from the Chishtis.
- (C) Shah Niamatullah is not the answer because Bahauddin Zakariya is identified with the Suhrawardi order in South Asia.
- (D) Nizamuddin Auliya is not the answer because the establishment of this silsilah is linked to Bahauddin Zakariya at Multan, not to him.
Concept
This tests the medieval Indian history theme of Sufi silsilahs, their founders, centres and relationship with political authority. RAS repeats this area because short factual pairings often distinguish Chishti and Suhrawardi traditions.