Qalandariyya

The term Qalandariyya appears to be first applied by Sanai Ghaznavi in seminal poetic works where diverse practices are described.

The Qalandariyya are an unorthodox Tariqa of Sufi dervishes that originated in medieval al-Andalus as an answer to the state sponsored Zahirism of the Almohad Caliphate.

[1][2] From al-Andalus the Qalandariyya quickly spread into North Africa, the Levant, Arabia, the Iranosphere, Anatolia, Central Asia and Pakistan.

[1][2] In the early 12th century the movement gained popularity in Greater Khorasan and neighbouring regions, including South Asia.

[4] Qalandariyya spread to Hazrat Pandua in Bengal and places in Pakistan through the efforts of multiple Qalandari figures.