The Legacy of Hazrat Qurban Ali Shah of Jharkhand: Surjudih Shrine Becomes Symbol of Peace and Unity

By Rehan Ahmed Khan, New Age Islam 13 May 2025 Hazrat Qurban Ali Shah shrine located in Surjudih, Bokaro district of Jharkhand, it is a holy Sufi shrine visited by believers from various states such as, Jharkhand, Bihar, Bengal, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh. His yearly Urs promotes harmony between religions, spiritualism, and cultural cohesiveness through ceremonies, celebrations, and general participation by all sections of society. Main Points: 1. Hazrat Qurban Ali Shah was a renowned Sufi saint who was born in 1862 in Surjudih, Bokaro. 2. He lived a devoted life, gaining inspiration from followers from various states. 3. His Dargan has an annual Urs on March 20–21. 4. Thousands of people visit for Chadarposhi and Qawwali. 5. The devotees arrive from Jharkhand, Bihar, Bengal, and Odishi, Uttar Pradesh. 6. The Urs encourages communal harmony. ------ Introduction India has always been a country of saints, mystics, and syncretic spiritual traditions. One of the venerated figures in eastern India is Hazrat Data Qurban Ali Shah, a Sufi saint whose memory continues to inspire thousands. Located in the serene village of Surjudih near Kasmar in Bokaro district, his Mazar (shrine) has emerged as a major spiritual pilgrimage site not only for Muslims but also for individuals from other communities in search of peace and blessings. Historical Background Hazrat Qurban Ali Shah was born in the year 1862 in the village of Surjudih, in Bokaro district. Orphaned at the mere age of three, he grew up under the care of his grandmother, Hazrat Jaifa Bibi, following the premature death of his parents and grandfather. Throughout a life dominated by personal tragedy, Hazrat Qurban Ali Shah had a spiritual leaning from a very young age. He spent his life surrounded by devotion (Ibadat) and spiritual exercise (Riyazat), frequently keeping distance from a materialistic life His spiritual practices and miraculous works over time drew followers from all over India, making him a well-reputed Sufi saint. These miraculous acts, according to his followers, distinguished him as a Wali (saint) and made him a higher spiritual being. He passed way in the year 1947 at the age of 85. After his heavenly abode, his followers built a Mazar in Surjudih that has since become a revered pilgrimage destination for his followers. Urs Mubarak: A Celebration of Faith and Harmony. Every year, on the 20th and 21st of March, the annual Urs of Hazrat Qurban Ali Shah is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Originally celebrated only on March 20, the festival was later extended to two days because of the increasing number of pilgrims from neighbouring states. The Urs commences on March 20 with the usual Chadarposhi (presentation of ceremonial cloth on the shrine), when thousands of devotees offer prayers for peace, blessings, and religious harmony. The night ends in a religious get-together (Jalsa) with spiritual addresses and devotional songs (Manqabat and Naat Sharif). On March 21, the festivities resume with a large Qawwali performance, a musical tradition that is sometimes native to Sufi life, further adding to the spiritual ambiance. These festivities not only reaffirm the legacy of the saint but also serves as a platform for people coming together in unity, with different faiths attending in respect. Interfaith Participation and Cultural Impact. One of the finest things about the Urs at Surjudih is that people belonging to various religious communities specially Hindus actively participate in it. Though the shrine belongs specifically to Islamic practices, there are also Hindus and those from other communities that join in on the rituals, especially the offering of Chadar. This is indicative of the universal nature of Sufism, which is beyond religion and speaks of love, compassion, and unity of mankind. Through the years, the shrine has emerged as a symbol of communal peace, with the Urs serving as a cultural link among disparate communities. The religious attractiveness of Hazrat Qurban Ali Shah remains strong, attracting people in search of solace, miracles, or merely an instant of spiritual introspection. Conclusion The shrine of Hazrat Data Qurban Ali Shah is a living testament to the lasting potency of faith, love, and religious harmony. His teachings and life, based on divine contemplation and selflessness, have generated a legacy that continues to bring people together in states and religions. As the annual Urs expands in size and attendance, it not only pays tribute to the memory of a great sufi saint but also consolidates the spiritual and cultural diversity of India's syncretic traditions. ---- Rehan Ahmed Khan is an Independent Research scholar specialising Muslim Personalities and Communal Harmony. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/legacy-hazrat-qurban-jharkhand-shrine-peace-unity/d/135511 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism