Vol. 1, Issue 4, Part B (2015)

Abstract
Sufism in India and Central Asia is an attempt to put into perspective the relevance of Sufism, the concept and teaching, and to provide a realistic assessment of its role in the region. The vast regions which stretch from India (especially northern India), to Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia and Turkey had close interaction throughout history. The people of these regions with different ethnic backgrounds, cultures and languages have been intermingling for many centuries, as seen in the cross-current exchanges of religious ideas and belief. Sufism has been integral in defining the culture, political behaviour and economic interaction of Central Asians since its arrival in the seventh century. Hence, its resurgence is neither surprising nor unintelligible. Despite bans on unofficial religious activity, Sufism received widespread allegiance at the grassroots level during the Soviet period. Sufism remains an important strand as a calming influence even in the context of violence and terrorism in the name of Islam. Their impact on many parts of the world is so deeply rooted that it forms a significant part of popular religious beliefs and practices. This article deals with the relevance of Sufism its teaching in current perspective.