Kaartavan

Kaartavan is a historical Sufi order that emerged in the early 18th century in the southern regions of the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the area that is now part of Sindh and Punjab. The movement was founded by Shaykh Ahmad al‑Kaartan, a mystic scholar who was originally a disciple of the renowned Sufi saint Wali-e-Atiba. The name “Kaartavan” derives from the Persian term “kaartan,” meaning “record,” reflecting the order’s emphasis on the written transmission of spiritual knowledge.

The Kaartavan order adopted a syncretic approach, blending elements of mainstream Sunni Islam with local folk traditions and devotional practices, such as communal singing and the celebration of Jahrama festival. Its preachers traveled extensively, establishing a network of khanqahs (Sufi lodges) across the Ghaggar‑Sarasvati plains, where they offered spiritual guidance, social welfare, and education in basic literacy and Qur’an studies.

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, Kaartavan played a role in fostering social cohesion amid the political fragmentation caused by the decline of Mughal authority and the incursion of colonial powers. The order’s teachings encouraged a personal relationship with the Divine while maintaining respect for the wider community’s moral and cultural traditions. Though its numbers diminished during the British period, remnants of Kaartavan khanqahs survived into the mid‑20th century and are occasionally visited by descendants of the early disciples. The order is now largely regarded as a part of the cultural heritage of the region, with sporadic academic interest in its manuscripts and genealogical records.