Makanpur Dargah, near Kanpur is the resting place of Shah Madar who came to India from Syria in reign of Firoz Shah Tughlaq.
His miracles and power are legendary. He practised breath control and is said to have lived for 12 years on one breath giving rise to the name Dum Madar.
His gaze was so powerful that it could burn people & he wore a veil.
Shah Madar’s followers were divided into 4 sub orders:
the most popular in the public eye are the deewangan faqirs.
The deewangan madari follow many practices similar to those followed by yogis.
The Madariya order got royal patronage starting with the Sharqi rulers. The present shrine was built by Sharqi Sultan ad added to later by Mughal & local rulers.
The Madariya order grew very powerful under Mughals.
Both Dara Shukoh &Aurangzeb are said to have visited the dargah as per the dargah records.
The ASI report of 1881 records Aurangzeb ‘s visit
the earliest freedom fighters ag the British EIC known as the Faqir-Sanyasi revolt were the Madariyas deewangan faqirs.
Leader Majnu Shah Malang along with the sanyasis gave the British a tough fight for 15yrs.
Today Majnu Shah Malang’s grave in Makanpur lies neglected.
As sad end of one of our earliest freedom fighters.
The deewangan madariyas are the wandering ascetic who are found in many a dargah.
They followed yogic practises and smeared ash on their bodies and had long matted hair. Now wear flowing robes
The other sub orders are more conservative in their religious practices, following shariah strictly and of them the khademma look after the dargah.
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