The Sufi Paradigm and the Makings of a Vernacular Knowledge in Colonial India

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The book explores the interplay between colonial influences and local traditions, focusing on how a local elite adapted colonial knowledge to foster a unique vernacular understanding of pluralistic Sufism. It highlights the significance of Shah Abd al-Latif Bhittai's work, which, when reprinted by the British, served as a pivotal resource in this cultural synthesis. Through this lens, the narrative examines the preservation and transformation of Sufi practices and beliefs in the context of colonialism.