Hazrat Syed Ahmed Badepa: A Beacon of Sufi Spirituality and Communal Harmony in Hyderabad

By Rehan Ahmed Khan, New Age Islam 14 October 2025 Hazrat Syed Ahmed Badepa, a Sufi saint and an initiate of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, fixed his abode in Hyderabad spreading harmony and peace. His dargah at First Lancer draws followers of all communities with his Urs observed every year on 12th Jamadi Al-Awwal. Main Points: 1. Hazrat Syed Ahmed Badepa, a Sufi saint and initiate of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, spread harmony and peace in Hyderabad. 2. He was born in Delhi but fixed his abode at Malkapur, First Lancer. 3. His name "Badepa" has been derived from his night travel to Delhi by miracles. 4. His grave was rediscovered after centuries. 5. Urs Sharif is commemorated every year on 12th Jamadi Al-Awwal. 6. His shrine gathers devotees belonging to all faiths, portraying India's spiritual pluralism. ---- Introduction Nestled in the peaceful outskirts of Malkapur village in Hyderabad's First Lancer region lies the shrine of Hazrat Syed Ahmed Badepa, a beacon of abiding spiritual beauty, harmony, and communal unity. For decades, this revered Dargah has drawn believers from all sections of society — Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and many others in quest of peace, blessings, and the realization of deeply cherished desires Esteemed as the greatest Deccan Sufi saints, Hazrat Syed Ahmed Badepa devoted his life to propagating the eternal message of Sufism, love, and peace. His wise words still echo in the present age, fortifying the secular character of India. Early Life and Spiritual Lineage Historical accounts and biographies suggest that Hazrat Syed Ahmed Badepa was born in Delhi and also grew up there. His surname, Syed Ahmed, indicates his aristocratic heritage harking back to the Prophet Muhammad's family, and his honorific title "Badepa" One Who Walks in the Air was given to him by his spiritual guide, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, also referred to as Mahboob-e-Ilahi, one of India's greatest Sufi saints. Hazrat Syed Ahmed was not just a disciple (murid) but also a Caliph (Khalifa) a religious representative of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, a member of the Chishti Sufi Order. This is a tradition that is traditionally noted for its love, tolerance, and service to mankind. Journey to the Deccan: Obedience to His Master's Command During the early 14th century, after the passing away of Hazrat Mutaqab Uddin Zari Zari Baksh, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya commissioned his brother and disciple, Hazrat Burhanuddin Gharib, to travel to the Deccan (South India) to spread spiritual knowledge further. In 709 A.H. (1309 A.D.), following the order of his master, Hazrat Syed Ahmed Badepa went along with Hazrat Burhanuddin Gharib to the Deccan. While Hazrat Burhanuddin permanently settled in Khuldabad Sharif (in Maharashtra state), Hazrat Syed Ahmed Badepa journeyed still farther south and settled in Hyderabad, namely in the village of Malkapur near First Lancer, in the vicinity of a mountain. There he remained for the rest of his life in meditation, worship, and spiritual teaching, finally dying in the same area, consecrating the Hyderabad earth with his presence. Historical Backdrop Alauddin Khilji was the ruler of the Delhi Sultanate at the time of his arrival (1296–1316 A.D.), and the Kakatiya dynasty under Rana Pratap Rudra Dev ruled Telangana from Warangal. It was an era of rich cultural interchanges between South and North India a time when spiritual traditions were merged by Sufi mystics such as Hazrat Syed Ahmed Badepa and promoted communal harmony. Loss and Rediscovery of the Grave During the span of five centuries, because of geographical displacement and urban development, the grave (mazar) of Hazrat Syed Ahmed Badepa was covered deep in the earth and forgotten by the people. Generations later, nobody knew its location. The shrine’s rediscovery is rooted in a fascinating legend from the reign of Nawab Nasir Doulah (1244–1273 A.H.). According to oral tradition, a local butcher named Balan Choudhary lost his herd of goats near the mountainside where the saint’s grave lay hidden. In distress, Balan scoured the area but could not locate his animals. Hazrat Badepa appeared to him in a dream one evening and showed him where his goats were and introduced himself. In obedience to the saint's instructions, Balan located all his goats intact the following morning. With an overflow of gratitude, he honored his promise to feed the poor and restored the shrine of the saint in a grand manner, commencing the first Urs Sharif (death anniversary) on the 12th of Jamadi Al-Awwal. This heavenly happening re-established the saint's popularity and worship in Hyderabad and far and wide. Ever since, pilgrims of all faiths have been visiting the shrine to crave spiritual blessings. The Miracle Behind the Title "Badepa" The name "Badepa" has a deep religious implication. It is said in tradition that when his master Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya called him in a hurry from Delhi, Hazrat Syed Ahmed Badepa went into the air miraculously and arrived in Delhi within one night. He returned to Hyderabad at dawn a task that stunned everyone who heard about it. Watching this miraculous transition, his master affectionately granted him the name "Badepa", meaning he could "step in the air." This occasion is etched in poetic lines inscribed on the wall of the shrine, in Urdu, painted in blue letters: "Here is such a path where no footprints are seen; Therefore Badepa walked the unseen route, Crossing in one night to Delhi through the air, And won an eminence most lofty. Spiritual Legacy and Miracles Hazrat Syed Ahmed Badepa was well known for his Kashf (spiritual insight) and his miraculous powers (Karamat). It is related that due to divine favor, he had knowledge of the past and future, was able to be in several places at a time, and had miracles like feeding a large number of people with a small amount of food. One of the significant relics found in the shrine is a stone 7.5 feet long and 3 feet wide, which according to tradition was the saint's prayer mat during his meditations. The Shrine Today The First Lancer shrine at Malkapur is surrounded by four stone walls and has a paved courtyard. The grave, made from mortar, is guarded now by an iron enclosure with nets and covered under a tent-like roof for preservation. Flowers and offerings are kept in a large spoon-like vessel (donga) measuring 3.5 feet by the visitors so that reverence is maintained while sanctity is preserved. Every year, the Urs Sharif is observed with immense devotion, starting from the 10th of Jamadi Al-Awwal and lasting for four days. Thousands celebrate the saint's union with the Divine on the 12th of Jamadi Al-Awwal. The King of Hyderabad, Nawab Nasir Doulah, was known to visit the shrine with his royal entourage. To this day, the Dargah remains a spiritual hub for devotees of all faiths, reflecting Hyderabad’s centuries-old culture of interfaith harmony. Conclusion In an age marked by divisions, the life and teachings of Hazrat Syed Ahmed Badepa remind us of the Sufi path of love, inclusivity, and divine remembrance. His Dargah continues to be a living testament to India’s pluralistic spirit, where faith transcends boundaries and humanity comes first. As devotees bow their heads and offer prayers at the sacred shrine in First Lancer, they carry forward the saint’s eternal message: "Love for all, hatred for none for the path to God lies through the heart of His creation." The Urs Sharif of Hazrat Syed Ahmed Badepa is observed every year on 12th Jamadi Al-Awwal at his Dargah in First Lancer, Hyderabad. All devotees are invited to attend the festivities and pray. ---- Rehan Ahmed Khan is an Independent Research scholar specialising Muslim Personalities and Communal Harmony. 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