Karim Shah ( bn, করীম শাহ), also known as Karam Shah ( bn, করম শাহ), was the founder of the mystic
Pagal Panthi order in eastern
Bengal
Bengal ( ; bn, বাংলা/বঙ্গ, translit=Bānglā/Bôngô, ) is a geopolitical, cultural and historical region in South Asia, specifically in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal, predom ...
(present-day
Bangladesh
Bangladesh (}, ), officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia. It is the eighth-most populous country in the world, with a population exceeding 165 million people in an area of . Bangladesh is among the mos ...
).
Biography
Though the origins of Karim Shah are shrouded in mystery, it can be known that he was a disciple of
Musa Shah, who was the nephew and successor of
Majnu Shah. Karim Shah resided in the village of Letarkanda in Pargana Sushang (presently under
Durgapur Upazila, Netrokona
Durgapur ( bn, দূর্গাপুর) (also referred to as Susang Durgapur) is an Upazilas of Bangladesh#List of Upazilas, upazila of the Netrokona District in the Mymensingh Division of Bangladesh.
Geography
Durgapur is located at . It ha ...
). It is estimated that his propagation began in 1775. His teachings attracted Sufis, Hindus and animists alike, and the members of his cult came to be known by commoners as ''Pagals'' (madmen). Though the cult was non-violent, its members claimed that Karim Shah possessed spiritual prowess such as the ability to cure diseases, foretelling and bringing success to those he wished.
He married Chandi Bibi, and had a son known as
Tipu Shah
Tipu Shah ( bn, টিপু শাহ; died 1852) was the second leader of the mystic Pagal Panthis, Pagal Panthi Order in Mymensingh Division, Mymensingh (present-day Bangladesh). He commanded the Order and the local peasantry in revolts again ...
, who succeeded Karim as the movement's leader after his death in 1813.
References
Year of birth missing
1813 deaths
People from Sherpur District
18th-century Bengalis
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