In the bustling streets of 17th-century Delhi, a man walked naked, his hair uncut and his nails untrimmed, yet he commanded the attention of the Mughal Empire's most powerful figures. This was Sarmad Kashani, a figure whose existence defied the rigid religious and social boundaries of his time. Born around 1590 to a family of Jewish Persian-speaking Armenian merchants, he initially traveled to the Indian subcontinent as a merchant seeking profit from the high prices of precious goods. However, his journey took a radical turn when he abandoned his wealth and his former life to wander as a faqir, or holy man, without clothes or possessions. His appearance was so striking that François Bernier, a French physician and traveler who witnessed him, recorded the sight of this naked ascetic who seemed to exist outside the norms of society. Sarmad's story is not merely one of poverty or asceticism but of a profound spiritual rebellion that would eventually lead to his execution.
The Merchant Who Became A Mystic
Sarmad's early life was rooted in the world of commerce, yet his destiny lay in the realm of the mystical. Born in either Armenia or Kashan, he possessed an excellent command of Persian, the language of the Mughal court, which he used to translate the Torah and compose his poetry. His education under Mulla Sadra and Mir Findiriski laid the groundwork for his later spiritual explorations. As a merchant, he traveled to the Mughal Empire, drawn by the promise of high prices for his wares. In Thatta, present-day Sindh, Pakistan, he encountered Abhay Chand, a Hindu disciple whose relationship with Sarmad remains shrouded in mystery. Some scholars suggest that Abhay Chand may have converted to Islam or Judaism, while others believe he served as a translator for Sarmad's religious texts. This partnership marked the beginning of Sarmad's transition from a merchant to a wandering mystic, a transformation that would see him abandon his wealth and embrace a life of spiritual wandering.The Court Of Dara Shikoh
The reputation of Sarmad as a poet and mystic eventually reached the ears of Dara Shikoh, the crown prince of the Mughal Empire. Impressed by Sarmad's wisdom and unconventional ways, Dara Shikoh invited him to his father's court, where the prince vowed to become his disciple. This meeting marked a pivotal moment in Sarmad's life, as he found himself at the heart of the Mughal court, surrounded by the empire's most powerful figures. His presence challenged the religious orthodoxy of the time, as he openly declared that he was neither Jewish, nor Muslim, nor Hindu. Sarmad's poetry, written in Persian, reflected his belief in a spirituality that transcended religious labels, a message that resonated with Dara Shikoh but alarmed the more conservative elements of the court. The prince's admiration for Sarmad would later become a point of contention, as their relationship would play a crucial role in the political struggles that followed.