Adherents of a syncretic mixture of Hinduism, Sufism and Animism, the order sought to uphold religious principles and the rights of landless peasants in Bengal; under the leadership of Karam Shah's son Tipu Shah, the movement soon evolved into a popular, armed struggle against the British East India Company and the zamindar (landlord) system.
Around 1588 (994 Bangabd/Bengali calendar) was expelled from the zamindari for the crime of killing Kanungo Ramavallab Nandi of East Kacharibari Darsha village of Sherpur.
The religious order gained popularity amongst the native peoples and brought together a diverse collection of tribes, Muslims, Hindus and animists.
The order preached monotheism, human equality, non-violence and encouraged the people to overcome social and religious differences and avoid conflicts and dogma.
Karim Shah himself was popularly believed to possess spiritual powers enabling him to foretell events, cure diseases and heal people.
This order, which followed a fusion of Hinduism, Sufism and Animism, tried to uphold religious principles and the rights of the landless peasants in Bengal.
The movement was shunned and criticised by Bengali Muslim society and its leaders, who condemned religious syncretism and referred to the order as Pagal Panthis – literally the followers of a "mad faith."
[3] Under Tipu Shah, the order focused on organising peasants in rebellions against oppressive taxes and laws imposed by the zamindars (landlords) and the British.
Basing his forces in a mud-fort near Sherpur, Tipu Shah proclaimed his rule in the name of Allah and assumed the religious and political leadership of the community.
[2] Although Tipu Shah and his aides were arrested in 1833 and tried, the government subsequently met many of the peasant demands, including lowering the rent rate and other taxes.
Compromises and agreements between the landlords, the Company and the peasants helped restore peace and order in the northern Mymensingh region.
[1] After Tipu Shah's death in 1852, the order came under the leadership of Janku and Dobraj Pathor, who organised another peasant resistance movement against the landlords and British authorities.
An armed group of Pagal Panthis under the leadership of the Pathors (the Hodi leaders or headman) stormed into Sherpur town, looted government offices and overpowered the officials, landlords and police, forcing them to flee to Mymensingh.