Mystics and Sufis of Iranian Descent in India, According to Ibn Battuta's Renowned Travelogue

As an active Islamic movement in the subcontinent, Sufism played a significant role in the spread of Islam and Islamization of the people of India. The Sufis also created a positive interaction with the people of the subcontinent by using the methods of spiritual conduct and respect for the customs and traditions of the people of the subcontinent and in this way, they were able to attract many people to them. Among the most important Sufis of the subcontinent were Iranian Sufis and mystics who took the path of the subcontinent for several reasons and settled there. Among the reliable sources that identify as many Iranian Sufis of the subcontinent as possible and provide valuable information in the field of Iranian mysticism and Sufism, as well as a rich source for knowing more Iranian mystics who have stayed in India; It is considered to be Ibn Battuta's travelogue. He mentions many mystics, Sufis, jurists and scientists of that time who were Iranians, and he refers to them as “men of God”, “guardian of God”, “saints of God” and “sheikhs”. First, he recounts their genealogy to the reader as much as possible, and then gives explanations about their life, deeds, virtues and history, in general, the way of conduct, worship and fasting, the way of wearing clothes and cloaks and its customs, mystical virtues, leaving ties. Worldliness, seclusion and seclusion, giving and feeding the poor, and he mentioned the age of mystics, which sometimes exceeds 140 years or even 200 years, is one of the most important and prominent points that Ibn Battuta pays attention to in his travelogue. His travelogue provides information about leaving the ties of Iranian mystics of Indian origin, which is unique and worthy of attention. In some cases, his travelogue completes the historical information related to Iranian mystics and Sufis.