The Shah Fakir are a Muslim community in South Asia. They are listed in OBC list of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. [1] [2]
The word fakir or faqir (Arabic : فقیر (noun of faqr)) is derived from the word faqr (Arabic : فقر, "poverty").They are claim to the descendants of Sufi saints belonging to Syeds lineage, that traced to Ali. Faqirs were wandering Dervishes teaching Islam in South Asia. [3]
The Faqir of West Bengal are also known as Shahji. The majority of the West Bengal Faqir are now cultivators, living in multi-caste villages, in their own quarters known as Faqir paras. They cultivate paddy, jute, mustard and tilli seeds. A small number are also landless agricultural labourers. The Faqir speak Bengali and follow the Sunni sect of Islam. But they practice a number of folk beliefs, collectively referred to as faqirmat. This involves paying special reverence to a number of Sufi saints. A significant number of Faqir are also involved in the production of cooking oil, an activity traditionally associated with the Teli caste in other parts of India. [4]