Deoband

Deoband is a city located in the Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is situated approximately 150 kilometers north of New Delhi. The city is most famously known as the origin of the Deobandi movement, a revivalist movement within Sunni Islam. This movement began in the mid-19th century with the establishment of the Darul Uloom Deoband, an Islamic seminary.

The Darul Uloom Deoband was founded in 1866 by a group of scholars including Maulana Muhammad Qasim Nanautavi, Maulana Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi, and Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki. Its aim was to revive the practice of Islam and counter the perceived decline in religious adherence during British colonial rule. The seminary follows the Hanafi school of jurisprudence and emphasizes a strict interpretation of Islamic law and tradition.

Over time, the Deobandi movement and its associated educational institutions have spread globally, influencing Muslim communities in South Asia, Africa, and Europe. While the movement is primarily known for its religious teachings and scholarship, it has also been associated with various political and social stances throughout its history. Deoband itself remains a significant center for Islamic learning and a focal point for the Deobandi tradition.