Pir Roshan Ali Shah

Pir Roshan Ali Shah

Pir Roshan Ali Shah's original name was Jalal Uddin Jamal Noorani Mecci but he is commonly known as Pir Roshan Ali Shah. This again was forgotten and he came to be called as the Nue-gaza-pri (nine yards long saint) Dr. Hajira Khatun thinks that nau-gaza is misnomer of nau Ghazi. Nau-gaza graves are found at various places in India. We think the length of nine yards is historically impossible. During the repairs of the grave on succeeding period of times, the length of the grave should have been increased unintentionally and so the name. In this case, it may be possible that Pir Roshan Ali Shah was a exceedingly tall man.

PIR BABA ROSHAN ALI SHAH (NAU GAZA,JAMMU)

There is a detailed account of Pir Roshan Ali in the Gulab Nama and Raj-darshini. Accordingly, Pir Roshan Ali Shah arrived at Jammu in the seventh century. This is improbable as the Muslim saints entered India after the invasion of Muhammad-Bin-Qasim on the Sindh. Possibly the Shrine would have been popular during the times of writers and they had given a probable, year by themselves. Other historical documents, for instance, Tarikh-e-Dagar-desh, and letters in Arabic and Persian mention conflicting dates. The comparative study of the record convinces that he came to Jammu in the thirteenth century before the invasions of Temur.

It is believed that he came to Jammu during the reign of Sarpala-dhar, presented him an Arab steed, and promised that no Muslim ruler would invade Jammu, and showed him some of his miracles.

The ruler was impressed, accepted the horse, and promised to patronize him. He also turned into his devotee. Pir Roshan Ali Shah, according to, the Raj-Darshini, lived at a place near the royal palace but others say the tomb stands at the site where he resided. Pir Roshan Ali Shah was so pleased with the Raja that he blessed that Jammu would ever remain safe from the attacks of Muslim rulers.

Death

It is said when Pir Roshan Ali felt the approaching death, he reached the site near Gumat gate, lay down on the ground and covered his body with a sheet. His devotees observed no movement in his body. They tried to wake him and remove the sheet. Then only did they find him dead? The Raja, who was his devotee, was informed who came and laid him to rest with full honors. He ordered for the construction of the grave in stone and mud. Maharaja Ranbir built it pucca and raised a mosque in the vicinity. The patronage of the court made Pir Roshan Ali Shah extremely popular with the people.

Pir Roshan Ali Shah once said to Raja Sarpala-Dhar, "If you or your descendants in times of difficulty offer sharbat and lit lamp on my tomb, you shall be relieved of them." People offer sharbat and lit lamps on the grave for the fulfillment of their wishes.

The grave

It is ordinary save its excessive length, built on a raised platform, in a courtyard, surrounded by a wall. The grave has a number of alcoves towards its head for lamps. Annual celebration is held on October 18 where a large number of devotees pay their tribute to the great saint.