Marathi Muslim Saint-Poets

Marathi Muslim Saint-Poets

This seminal volume, first published in Marathi in 1967, remains the only book-length study of Muslim saints in Maharashtra who transcended the boundaries of religious identity. It illuminates a historical period when religious traditions were fluid and permeable, presenting a biographical account of saints of Muslim origin who became integral to the Hindu bhakti tradition of Maharashtra. Eminent scholar R. C. Dhere examines the lives and works of saints such as Shah Muntoji Brahmaņi, Husein Ambarkhän, Sheikh Sultan, Sheikh Mahammad, and Shah Muni. These poets devoted themselves to deities such as Vitthal, Šiva, and Krsna and engaged deeply with Advaita Vedānta philosophy, articulating the oneness of existence as a means to transcend sectarian boundaries. Writing in Marathi, they employed their poetic craft to communicate profound spiritual insights to the wider community of devotees. Dr. Shubhangana Atre brings R. C. Dhere's pioneering scholarship to the English-speaking world, making accessi-ble to a wider readership his meticulous study of the Muslim saints who shaped Maharashtra's bhakti tradition.

Author. Ramchandra Chintaman Dhere
Translator. Shubhangana Atre
Publication. Tattva Heritage Foundation