langar or free distribution of food to all & sundry was the hallmark of Sufism in India, right from its onset.
Baba Farid’s langar would often be wild berries boiled in water because of the straitened condition of the saint. But he never sent anyone away.
I quote Prof Harbans Mukhia in my book In Search of the Divine regarding its influence on Sikhi
“If Guru Nanak Dev’s new religion of Sikhism brought forth the message of social harmony in the midst of social tensions, it acquired immense power as it incorporated other similar messages in his time, those emanating from great Sufis like Baba Farid and Sants like Kabir. From Baba Farid he also inherited the marvelous institution of langar, signifying both selfless service and social equality.”
Photo is from Alwan e Nemat a cookbook from Jahangir’s reign tr by Mrs Salma Hussain. pub by Penguin India
Sufi food consisted mainly of gruels & khichdi
