Nasiruddin Chiragh-e-Dehli
Nasiruddin Mahmud, Chiragh-e-Dehli (“Lamp of Delhi”) was the last great Chishti master of the city’s golden line — successor to Nizamuddin Auliyary/nizamuddin) Auliya and the teacher through whom the order passed into its next five centuries.
Life
Born at Ayodhya into a family of Awadh, Nasiruddin came to Delhi and to Nizamuddin Auliya, serving him with such austerity — the malfuzat record his near-silent endurance of poverty — that the master named him successor. He led the Delhi khanqah through the political ruin of the Tughlaq transitions, refusing court alliance: when Muhammad bin Tughlaq pressed honors, the tradition says he moved his dwelling to evade them. He died in 1356 and was buried where he lived.
Teachings/Works
His discourses (collected as malfuzat) and letters teach the Chishti norm of withdrawal from power, generosity, and sam’a (listening). Under him the order’s center of gravity began its spread from Delhi to the provinces (Gujarat, the Deccan).
Legacy
His dargah at Chirag Delhi — the Delhi village that keeps his name — remains an active shrine; he is honored as the seal of the five great Chishti saints of India.
Verification notes
- Life is documented in Chishti malfuzat and hagiography (Fawa’id al-Fu’ad tradition’s successors).
- Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).