4th Death Anniversary: Remembering Mian Bashir Ahmed Larvi

Mian Bashir Ahmad Larvi was indeed a multi-dimensional personality who made significant contributions to various fields - spiritual, religious, social, and political. His leadership and legacy continue to inspire many. He played a significant role in guiding and supporting his community, earning respect and admiration from people across the region.

Mian Bashir Ahmad Larvi’s life and works serve as a testament to the power of compassion, dedication, and leadership. His legacy continues to inspire and motivate others to work towards creating a more harmonious and equitable society.

The 4th death anniversary of veteran Gujjar leader and renowned religious personality Mian Bashir Ahmed Larvi, was observed on the 14th of August at Wangath Kangan, in Ganderbal District. Thousands of followers of Mian Bashir Ahmed Larvi from across the Jammu and Kashmir reached Wangath Kangan (Baba Nagri) to remember Mian Bashir Ahmad Larvi, and participated in Fateha offered to the departed soul.

Mian Bashir Ahmed Larvi remained the Sajada Nasheen of Darbar Baba Ji Sahib Larvi. However, two years before his death, he had nominated his son and current member of Parliament (Anantnag-Rajouri) Mian Altaf Ahmed as his successor Sajada nasheen Darbar Baba Ji Sahib Larvi. The shrine is situated at the base of a mountain in a scenic setting. Surrounded by still surviving forests, the shrine and its vicinity become the hub of religious activities every year.

Mian Bashir Ahmed Larvi passed away on August 14th, 2021 at his native village Wangath also known as Baba Nagri, in Kangan area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, at the age of 98. Mian Bashir Ahmed was a renowned religious and spiritual leader besides a stalwart in politics. With the passing away of Mian Bashir Ahmed Jammu and Kashmir lost a great personality whose works inspired a large population of the J&K. In the passing away of this veteran Gujjar leader and the last of the grand old men of Jammu and Kashmir, Mian BashirAhmad Larvi, took away with him a large part of Kashmir’s tumultuous history in which he played an epochal role.

Born in November 1923 in Wangath Kangan (Ganderbal) in a reputable family, known for its spiritual highness and good literary background, Mian Bashir Larvi, lovingly known as Baba Saheb, was a multi-faceted personality. He continued the legacy of Hazrat Mian Abdullah Larvi, his grandfather and ‘Murshid’ (teacher), and his father Hazrat Mian Nizam-ud-Din Larvi (RA), who had migrated from Hazara region in the 1800s. He was from the Naqshbandi order of Sufi tradition, a convention in the family.

For Lakhs of his followers, Mian Bashir Ahmad Larvi was a blessing to all as hundreds of his followers used to throng Baba Nagri Wangath in Kangan every day to meet him and seek his blessings. He believed in the concept of people’s contact and its importance in Sufism. He travelled far and wide, met people of diverse backgrounds, propagating the concept of pluralism, shared the message of peace, love, and tolerance. Mian Bashir Larvi was a multi-dimensional personality who led the Gujjar and Bakerwal community of J&K, in particular, in spiritual, religious, social and political fields.

Baba Sahib believed in a spiritual vision of life and he always stood by his vision. He promoted such values throughout his life among his immediate disciples, general followers and his well wishers spread far and wide. He relentlessly strived for social equality among the masses.

In 2008 Mian Bashir Larvi was conferred with the third highest civilian award Padam Bhushan, by Government of India, for his outstanding contribution and service towards tribal Gujjars, Bakarwals and other downtrodden groups of society.

For me, Baba Ji was a sea of knowledge and spirituality. On many occasions I had the privilege to interact with Baba Sahib at his residence in Wangath Kangan. Each time I met him, despite challenges of age and health, Baba Ji seemed interested about knowing the happenings around. Though he gave up politics nearly two decades ago, but he never lost sight of political developments in the country and abroad. I always found Baba Sahib very kind and generous. While interacting with him I always found in him a sea of knowledge and spirituality. He devoted himself completely to his spiritual responsibility, teaching hadith, tafsir and other religious disciplines. Being an influential orator he left a great impression on the listeners and it was always a treat to listen him.

Baba Sahib always greeted his visitors with a smile. He had a good sense of humour and during interactions Baba Sahib used to make everyone smile.

Mian Bashir Ahmad was very fond of writing and reading. He used to read and go through various urdu newspapers from the valley to keep himself updated.

Mian Bashir Ahmad Larvi was elected four times to the State Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir and over this period in politics he decided to bridge the gap between tribal pastoralist nomads and political inefficiencies.

During his political career, he remained closely associated with Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and various other top leaders of India that include Pandit Jawaharlal Lal Nehru, Moulana Abdul Kalam Azad, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi.

Mian Bashir Ahmad compiled a number of books in Gojri, Urdu, Punjabi, including ‘Israr e Kabari’, ‘Ashar e Nizami’, ‘Babaji Diyan Siharfian’, six Volumes of ‘Neer Sumandar ‘ Gojri series’ , ‘Mata e Faqar-O-Danish’ as told to Khush Dev Maini, ‘Baba Ji Sahib Larvi’, ‘Maaraf-ul-Tabarqat’, etc. These books mainly deal with topics of spiritualism, mysticism, Sufism, Islamic theology, divine love, besides his poetic compilations representing Gujjar ethos and rich heritage. Some of his books are on socio-ethnic profile of Gujjars- Bakarwals are popular among masses. One of his important contributions is his biographical account of three generations of Babaji Sahib Larvi in the book ‘Mata e Faqar -o- Danish’ published in Urdu.

Baba Sahib was often invited to grace seminars, conferences and other literary and cultural events in and outside state. He always loved to attend such functions because of his commitment to such areas of life. He attended such events not only in India but abroad too.

The role of the renowned religious personality and a great social reformer Mian Bashir Ahmed Larvi Sahab will always be remembered with great respect.

May Allah grant him the highest place in Jannah.