Sultan Syed Shah Mutaharuddin Suhrawardi (969–1039), also called Dada Hayat Mir Qalandar or Nathar Wali or Nadir Shah, was a Muslim preacher and mystic from Anatolia who in the 9th-10th century moved to Tamil Nadu, India, where he travelled about preaching Islam. He went to Tiruchirapalli in Tamil Nadu, The tamil warrior tribe converted by his preaching are known as Ravuttars(Rowthers) in Tamilnadu and kerala one of the earliest and important muslim community The most important Islamic building in the city is Nathar Shah's Mosque, which contains the tomb of the saint Sultan Nathar Shah. According to legend it is atop the grave of the three-headed Hindu demon Tiriasuran whom Dada killed.

Early life

According to the source Tabl-e-Aalam, Nathar shah was born Syed Mutaharuddin in Anatolia to the king of Bahanasa, Ahmed Kabeer, and Syeda Fathimunnisa. His younger brother Syed Jalaluddin became king after he left.

Nathar Shah

Life in Tiruchirapalli

Nathar Wali left his comfortable life in search of Murshid (spiritual preceptor). He was a Qalandar (unmarried saint) who came to India along with 900 Qalandars to spread Islam. Before coming to India, he became the Mureed (Student) of Ibrahim Garamseel near the Pakistan region. After that, he traveled his journey towards different parts of India, and at last he reached Trichy and settled there. During this time, Tiruchirappalli was a part of the Chola Empire under the reign of Rajendra I, although Nathar Wali has never interacted with him. He was said to have performed miracles. Along with his qalandars, he came to Tiruchirapuram, which is now known as Tiruchirappalli, and led a religious life with his qalandars in a flower garden there.

Nathar Shah

Disciples

Baba Fakhruddin Sohrawardi

Baba Haydar e Safdar Sohrawardi

Abdul Qadir Shah al-Hamid Sohrawardi

Death

He died in Tiruchirappalli in 1039 and was buried there, and a mosque constructed at the spot. Tiruchirappalli's followers call him "Natharnagar".

Nathar Shah

References

Indian Sufi saints

Year of birth unknown

969 births

1039 deaths

Muslim missionaries

Islam in Tamil Nadu

10th-century Indian people

Muslim saints