Who were pirs and why were they popular
Answers
The Pirs were the preachers of the religion of Islam. They were originally known as the Sufis. The word Sufi has been originated from the Arabic word 'Tasauf' or 'Suf'. The word 'tasauf' means purity/ holiness.
Pir or Peer (Persian: پیر, lit. 'old [person]', 'elder') is a title for a Sufi master or spiritual guide. They are also referred to as a Hazrat or Shaikh, which is Arabic for Old Man. ... In Sufism a Pir's role is to guide and instruct his disciples on the Sufi path .
Explanation:
Pirs were spiritual leaders having supernatural powers. They also functioned as teachers and adjudicators. When early settlers in Bengal sought some order and assurance in the unstable conditions of the new settlements pirs favoured them and gave them full moral support. People viewed them as respectful figures.