The Dispute Over Khwaja Khizr’s Shrine: A Tale of Faith and Floods in Rohri, Sindh

Introduction

Situated on a serene island in the Indus River near Rohri, Sindh, the shrine of Khwaja Khizr revered as Zinda Pir, Jind Pir or Jhule lal serves as a vital spiritual and cultural landmark for Hindus and Muslims alike. This hallowed site embodies shared devotion yet has witnessed periodic disputes. In Empires of the Indus, Alice Albinia delves into its rich history, highlighting the significant 1880 conflict and the catastrophic floods that transformed its heritage.

1888 Riverside View of Rohri Civil Court

The Legacy of Khwaja Khizr

Khwaja Khizr, known as Al-Khidr in Islam, is a mystical figure revered for his eternal life and wisdom. In the Quran, he is depicted as a righteous servant of God and a guide to Prophet Moses (Surah Al-Kahf). In Sindh, he is celebrated as the spiritual guardian of the Indus River and protector of travelers. For Hindus, he is Jhule lal, the river deity and patron of the Sindhi community. His shrine, established around 925 CE on a small island near Rohri, has long been a shared sacred space for both communities (DAWN.com).

The 1880 Dispute

According to the 1874 Sindh Gazetteer, Hindus and Muslims once worshipped harmoniously at Khwaja Khizr’s shrine. However, by 1880, tensions arose over the site’s ownership. Hindus argued that the absence of a traditional tomb proved the site was a Hindu samadhi (memorial) for a deity. Muslims, on the other hand, maintained that Khwaja Khizr is a living saint, negating the need for a tomb. The dispute escalated to a British colonial court, which ruled in favor of the Muslims. Consequently, Hindus established a new site across the river in Warn Puri, near what is now a thermal power station (DAWN.com).

The 1956 Flood and Its Aftermath

The Indus River, central to Sindh’s history, has often brought destruction through flooding. In 1956, a massive flood ravaged Khwaja Khizr’s shrine, destroying its mosque, structures, a silver gate, and a crown associated with the Naga deity. Further floods in the 1970s exacerbated the damage, leaving the shrine in a partially ruined state (PDMA). Despite this, the site remains a vital spiritual center for devotees.

Alice Albinia’s Quest for Records

In her research for Empires of the Indus, Alice Albinia sought to uncover details of the 1880 court case. Visiting the shrine, she learned from the current caretaker that the case file had been given to a foreigner, and the case was heard in Rohri’s civil court. At the court, a female judge granted Albinia access to the archives. However, a recent explosion in the record room had killed the head clerk, who was familiar with the archives. Albinia meticulously examined bundles of 1880s records tied with cloth but could not locate the specific case file, highlighting the challenges of preserving historical documents.

The Shrine Today

Despite its partial destruction, Khwaja Khizr’s shrine continues to draw thousands of Hindu and Muslim devotees, especially during March and April. Accessible only by a small boat, the shrine now a simple square structure with a dome reflects Sindh’s syncretic cultural and religious heritage (Rohri.com). The 1888 photograph of the Rohri civil court, with its riverside steps leading to a jetty for judges’ travel to Sukkur, underscores the historical significance of the Indus in the region’s administration.

Key Events at Khwaja Khizr’s Shrine

The storied past of Khwaja Khizr’s shrine, located on an island in the Indus River near Rohri, Sindh, is marked by pivotal events that reflect its spiritual and cultural significance. Established around 925 CE, the shrine became a shared sacred space for Hindus and Muslims. In 1880, a dispute over its ownership led to a British colonial court ruling in favor of Muslims. A devastating flood in 1956 razed the shrine’s mosque and key structures, with further damage from 1970s floods leaving it partially in ruins. In the 2000s, Alice Albinia’s research into the 1880 case was thwarted by an explosion in Rohri’s court archives, underscoring the challenges of preserving historical records.

Conclusion

The history of Khwaja Khizr’s shrine encapsulates Sindh’s rich cultural and religious diversity, where communities of different faiths converge to worship. The 1880 dispute and the 1956 flood mark significant turning points in its story, underscoring the challenges of preserving cultural heritage amidst conflict and natural disasters. Alice Albinia’s exploration in Empires of the Indus emphasizes the need to document and protect this legacy for future generations.

References

• Albinia, Alice. Empires of the Indus. John Murray Press, 2008. Link
• "Khwaja Khizr: The Saint Who Saved Rohri, Sukkur." DAWN, 2017. Link
• "Mythology: Khwaja Khizr of the Indus." DAWN, 2019. Link
• "History of Floods in Sindh." Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). Link
• "Tomb of Khwaja Khizr or Zinda Pir, Rohri." Rohri.com, 2021. Link
• Sayed Imdad Hussain Shah Rizvi. (2025). Personal communication

Post: Sayed Sajjad Hussain Musavi

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