Aligarh: “Malfuzat or record of the discourses, table talks, and utterances of the Sufi saints/Shaikhs are very significant in the study of the political, economic, and social scenario of medieval Indian history”, said Dr. Aneesa Iqbal Sabir, Assistant Professor, CAS, Department of History, Aligarh Muslim University, while delivering special lectures at the Chishtiya College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Aurangabad; and the Department of History and Ancient Indian Culture, Dr. Babasaheb Marathwada University, Aurangabad in Maharashtra.

Dr. Aneesa delivered two lectures on the topics, "Sufism in Punjab and Kashmir", and "Sources of Medieval History, Special reference to Persian language” at Chishtiya College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Aurangabad.

She said: “The Sufis aimed at establishing an egalitarian society based on the principle of equality. Their purpose in life was worship and establishing universal peace. It was their strong belief that serving the people was of greater importance than formal worship”.

In her second lecture on Persian sources of Medieval Indian History, Dr. Aneesa explained the significance of the utilization of primary sources for research. She especially dealt with the Persian sources of the Mughal period for research in history.

In another lecture at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad entitled, “Education System in Medieval India: with special reference to Syed Shaikh Jalaluddin Bukhari a great Sufi Scholar of Western Punjab” she explained how education in Medieval times was a combination of Monqulaat (traditional sciences) and Maaqulaat (rational sciences).

She also discussed the patronization of education and learning by the rulers, and various methods adopted for the dissemination and acquisition of knowledge.