The shrine of Budhal Faqir is recognised as one of the prominent shrines in Shikarpur district. It is situated approximately 12 kilometres from Shikarpur town and easily accessible via Lodara village on the Shikarpur-Jacobabad Road. Budhal Faqir Unar was a renowned Qadiri Sufi saint and poet who was born in Bakhshi Unar village in 1865 to Faqir Abdul Wasih Unar. Concerning his date of birth, Anandram Toutaldas Rajani, who compiled Risalo Budhal Faqir in 1941, asserts that he was born in 1865. In contrast, Niaz Sarki (2005[2011, 2018]), the compiler of Risalo Budhal Faqir, indicates that his birth occurred around 1856-57.
From a young age, it was clear that he was destined to be a poet and saint. Growing up in the small village of Bakhshi Unar, he often found himself immersed in the beauty of nature while tending to the cattle. His father had asked him to herd the cattle, and he took to this task passionately. He picked up a one-stringed instrument called the yaktaro and began reciting poetry. It is said that the first Kafi he composed was "Sigho Moutaj Yar, Toukhey Wetha Sariyon" (Return soon, oh friend; I miss you). The experience of creating this work brought him such spiritual ecstasy that he fainted!
Village residents could not comprehend the nature of Budhal Faqir due to his strange behaviour, thinking that perhaps some spirit possessed him. Not fully understanding his son's inclination towards mysticism, his father sought advice from Mian Ali Sarwar Shah, a member of the Pir Pagaro family, who was on a visit to Bakhshi Unar village. Mian Ali Sarwar Shah recommended that he should take Budhal to the Dargah of Pir Jo Goth for spiritual guidance. Following the directives of Mian Ali Sarwar Shah, Faqir Abdul Wasih Unar, accompanied by his relatives, took Budhal Faqir to the Dargah of Pir Syed Muhammad Rashid Shah Rozay Dhani, located in Pir Jo Goth.
During this period, Pir Pagaro Syed Hizbullah Shah was Gaddi Nashin of the Dargah of Pir Syed Muhammad Rashid Shah Rozay Dhani. Pir Syed Hizbullah Shah was a celebrated Persian poet and a great admirer and patron of Persian and Sindhi poets. According to Sindh Ja Pagara Pir by Dr Nabi Bakhsh Khan Baloch (2015), which was compiled by Dr Abdul Rasool Qadiri, Pir Syed Hizbullah Shah had a profound influence on the poetic community. His collection of Persian poetry, Diwan-e-Miskeen, showcases his literary prowess. During his time, the Qadiriyya-Rashidiyya Silsila was strengthened in many parts of Sindh, and his disciples preached it in their respective areas. Rashidiyya, a sub-branch of Qadiriyya, is named after Pir Syed Muhammad Rashid Shah Rozay Dhani (1756-1818).
Written in the Sindhi and Saraiki languages, his poetry is distinguished by its concise, impactful lines that are both simple and rich in meaning, allowing readers to grasp the essence of his ideas easily
According to Dr Nabi Bakhsh Khan Baloch (2015), regular gatherings of poets were held at the invitation of Pir Syed Hizbullah Shah (d 1890). On one occasion, he was so impressed by the poetry of Molvi Bahauddin ‘Bhai’ (d 1933) that he gifted him his elephant. Many of his disciples were influenced by his literary contributions and composed their own poetry. Some of the poets that Dr Nabi Bakhsh Khan Baloch (2015) mentions include Khalifo Nabi Bakhsh Laghari (d 1863), Syed Fazal Shah ‘Fazal’, Syed Mehdi Shah, Molvi Abdul Qadir Solangi, Syed Suleman Shah Bukhari (d 1880), Pir Hasan Bakhsh Jilani and Budhal Faqir Unar.
When Budhal Faqir Unar was taken to Pir Syed Hizbullah Shah, he understood his piety at first glance. It is said that Pir Syed Hizbullah Shah accepted him as his disciple.
Budhal Shah Unar, after becoming a disciple of Pir Syed Hizbullah Shah and returning from the dargah of Pir Jo Goth, dedicated most of his time to composing poetry and prayers. It is said that he got married at the age of 26 or 27. Budhal Faqir Qadiri had three sons and two daughters. His sons were Faqir Abdul Hakeem, Faqir Mast Muhammad Muqeem, and Faqir Abdul Kareem, all of whom became celebrated Sufi saints. Faqir Mast Muhammad Muqeem died during his father's lifetime and was also a Sufi poet, writing under the pen name Mast Muqeem. Budhal Faqir Qadiri is believed to have built a tomb over his son's grave. It is said that masons from Multan came to construct the grave of Faqir Mast Muhammad Muqeem.
According to Anandram Toutaldas Rajani (1941[1966]), the compiler of Risalo Budhal Faqir, the two contemporary Sufi saints and poets of Budhal Faqir Qadiri were Molvi Abdul Ghaffur ‘Maftoon’ Humayuni (d 1918) and Faqir Rakhial Shah (d 1939). Molvi Qadir Bakhsh Golo (d 1922), whose shrine is located at Sohbatpur in Balochistan, was also a contemporary of Budhal Faqir. He was a poet of Persian and Sindhi.
Budhal Faqir Qadiri was a celebrated poet of Shikarpur. His poetry is intricately woven with various themes, notably Sufism, Islam, ethics, and humanism, which create a tapestry of thought that invites deep contemplation and reflection. His mystical verses are not merely artistic expressions; they serve as vehicles for profound messages that advocate for peace, tolerance, equality, and love-values that are essential for fostering harmony both within individuals and across communities. Written in the Sindhi and Saraiki languages, his poetry is distinguished by its concise, impactful lines that are both simple and rich in meaning, allowing readers to grasp the essence of his ideas easily.
Moreover, a considerable segment of his poetry is devoted to the veneration of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Budhal Faqir Qadiri – also known in his poetry as Budhal, Budho, and Budhro – passed away in 1939. He left behind descendants and disciples to carry on his Sufi legacy. After his death, his eldest son, Faqir Abdul Hakeem, also known as Nangar Dhani, became the first Gaddi Nashin of the Dargah. He was also known for his piety. Following his passing, his brother, Faqir Abdul Kareem, succeeded him as the second Gaddi Nashin of the Dargah of Budhal Faqir Qadiri. After his death, Sain Shamsuddin Faqir, alias Shaman Sain, became the third Gaddi Nashin of the Budhal Faqir Dargah. He was the son of Bahral Faqir and the grandson of Faqir Abdul Hakeem. The fourth Gaddi Nashin of Dargah of Budhal Faqir was Faqir Mast Muhammad Muqeem Sani, who was the son of Faqir Abdul Kareem. The present Gaddi Nashin is Sain Abdul Ghaffar. Although Abdul Ghaffar is the custodian of the dargah, the young Sain Sanalullah Mast Muqeem manages and takes care of the shrine.
The tomb of Budhal Faqir Qadiri is one of the most impressive structures in the Shikarpur district. It is built in a square plan, with the date of its construction inscribed on the façade as 1335/1917. Inside the tomb, there are seven graves. The main grave is that of Budhal Faqir Qadiri, while the other graves belong to Faqir Mast Muhammad Muqeem I, Faqir Abdul Hakeem, Faqir Abdul Kareem, Sain Imamuddin Faqir, Bahral Faqir, and Faqir Mast Muhammad Muqeem Sani. Budhal Faqir Qadiri’s descendants were also celebrated poets. Faqir Mast Muhammad Muqeem, son of Budhal Faqir, was also a poet and his poetry collection, Diwan-e-Mast, has been compiled by Faqir Akhtar Hussain Bevas and Faqir Tariq Hayat Lashari and is expected to be released in June or July 2025.
In addition to Faqir Mast Muhammad Muqeem, Bahral Faqir, the son of Faqir Abdul Hakeem, Sain Shamsuddin Faqir, the son of Bahral Faqir, and Sain Imamuddin Faqir, the son of Faqir Abdul Kareem, were all notable poets from the family of Budhal Faqir Qadiri.
Adjacent to Budhal Faqir Qadiri's tomb is a small mosque, which Faqir Abdul Kareem built during Budhal Faqir's lifetime. Later, Faqir Mast Muhammad Muqeem Sani, son of Faqir Abdul Kareem, renovated it.
Near the tomb of Budhal Faqir, there is another tomb that contains the graves of Gharal Faqir, the son of Faqir Abdul Hakeem, and Sain Shamsuddin Faqir, the son of Bahral Faqir. These Qadiri Sufi saints and poets preached values of love, tolerance, and peace through their poetry and prayers. During the annual festival at the shrine of Budhal Faqir, devotees from Sindh and Balochistan come to pay their respects. On this occasion, the poetry of Budhal Faqir is sung by Sufi singers.