Syed Sharfuddin Shah Wilayat had two sons, Syed Mir Ali Bazurg, Syed Abdul Aziz and a daughter Baqia-ut-Tahirah aka Bibi Bakhui. Bibi Bakhui was known for her piety, simplicity and devotion to prayers. She died young and her grave comes to the sight from the entrance of Dargah (the Shrine) of Hazrat Shah Wilayat.
It is said that Hazrat Shah Wilayat’s spiritual influence, preaching and reverence had reached to the Sultan of Delhi. This is evident from the fact that Syed Mir Ali Bazurg, the elder son of Hazrat Shah Wilayat was appointed as Qazi (Judge) of Amroha by Sultan of Delhi. In those days this appointment was conferred upon those persons who were well known for their piety, integrity and scholastic knowledge. In addition, Syed Abdul Aziz, the younger son of Hazrat Shah Wilayat was married to a daughter of the King – Sultan Feroz Shah Khilji. Both the sons of Hazrat Shah Wilayat were awarded large estates by the Sultan in return for their service as Qazi as well as marital relations.
Muslim rulers in India used to award large areas of land (Jagirs) to the people in return of their civil and military services to the King. Many of the grand and great grandsons of Hazrat Shah Wilayat were successively appointed as Qazis and others extended military support to the King. Amroha’s landed aristocracy grew larger during the Mogul period. At the time of Emperor ‘Akbar the Great’, Syed Mohammad ‘Mir Adl’ in recognition of his extra-ordinary scholarly and administrative capabilities, became the Chief Justice of the Moghul Empire. Subsequently he was appointed Governor of Bhakkar- at present an area covering Southern Punjab and the Sindh province. He was ‘Mansabdar’ (a title equivalent to English Earl) responsible to maintain an army garrison of one thousand soldiers to support the King. To meet the expenditure of the army garrison, he was awarded large estates (Jagirs) by the King. Throughout the Moghul rule the Syeds of Amroha, particularly the great grandsons of Hazrat Shah Wilayat, were successively appointed Mansabdars (Earls) for extending military support to the King. At the end of Moghul Empire there were two hundred families of Mansabdars in Amroha, out of which one hundred and sixteen were from the descendants of Hazrat Shah Wilayat. They built large mansions (“Havelies”), Mosques, “Imambargahs”, Madressas and planted mango orchards on their lands. Their children subsequently constructed their large houses around their forefathers’ Havelies. The cluster of these houses grew bigger and were called “Mohallas” in Amroha. Thus inhabitants of each Mohallah are grandchildren of one patriarch.
Sadat-e-Amroha formed a class of nobility and aristocracy which, unlike many feudal lords, was extremely kind-hearted and sympathetic. They inherently followed spiritual and scholastic pursuits. They developed traditions and values which were reflective of modesty, tolerance and generosity.
Peace and amity prevailed among the people of all sects and religions. Even during 1857 and 1947, Hindu Muslim riots did not take place in Amroha. Shias and Sunnis were very well integrated and inter-marriages in the Shia and Sunni families of the Saadat were quite common.
Amroha’s azadari during Muharram was famous throughout Northern India. The “imambargahs” were exquisitely decorated by colorful lights and crystal chandeliers and the “alam” procession was taken out for seven days to pay homage to the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain AS with great solemnity and sobriety. Sunnis and Hindus not only respected the tradition of azadari but also participated in it. The processions before “alams” called “araish”, the “taziya” processions and “sabils” were organized mostly by Sunnis and even Hindus.
In brief, scholastic pursuits, moderation, benevolence and respect for all humans form part of the heritage of Saadat-e-Amroha.