HAZRAT AMMIR-I-KABIR SHAH-I-HAMDAN(RA)

(The Torch Bearer)

Many saints, came to the valley of Kashmir to propagate Islam, to name of a few were: Hazrat Bulbul Shah, Syed Jalal-ud-Din Bukhari, Mir Shams-ud-Din Iraki and Syed Hussain Samnani. But the one who lit the torch of monotheism, in reality was Hazrat Ammir-I-Kabir, Shah- I-Hamdan Mir Syed Ali Hamdani (R.A) after whose name our institution has been named. He was born on 12th of Rajab, 714 hijri & died on 6th of Zilhaja 786 Hijri.

He traced his patrimony through his father, Syed Shahab-ud- Din to Imam Zain-ul-Abdin (A.S) and finally to Amiral Momineen Hazrat Ali (K.V). His mother, Syeda Fatima with seventeen links reached the Prophet, Hazrat Mohammad Mustafa (SAW).

Shah-I-Hamdan (A.R) was a multidimensional personality. He was a lover of peace and harmony. Because of his efforts then the king of Kashmir Qutub-Ud-Din and Firoz Tughlaq/came to terms who otherwise were at war for years. He played a great role to improve the economics & sceneric conditions of Kashmir. Among the seven hundred Syeds who accompanied him to Kashmir were the men of arts and crafts who flourished here. They popularized shawl making, pottery and calligraphy. Alama-Iqbal (R.A) admits that because of Shah-E-Hamdan the wonderful art and crafts turned kashmir into a mini Iran & brought about a revolution in the thinking process of the people. According to Dirat-I-Maarife-Islamia, Shah-l-Hamdan's greatest-contribution was the character building of the people to liberate them from the fear of the new system and their love for the older one. He imbibed true awakening among Kashmiries.