About Samana
A Town with Untold History
Located on State Highway-10, between Patiala and Patran, Samana has existed as a prominent center of faith, learning, and culture for centuries. The name “Samana” is believed to be derived from a pious woman named Samana, thought to be related to or the wife of Imam Ali Ridha(A.S), further adding to the town’s mystique.
Historical Significance
- Samana is the resting place of Imamzade Syed Mashhad Ali, believed to be a direct descendant of Imam Ridha, the 8th Shia Imam.
- The town once boasted 22 majestic forts, indicating its military and political importance.
- Samana was a flourishing center for Shia Muslim scholars and had a vibrant population until the Partition of India in 1947.
- Historical manuscripts, relics, tombstones, and epigraphs found in the region show a deep-rooted Islamic academic and theological presence.
- The town witnessed three significant migrations of Sadaat (Sayyid) families in the 9th, 11th, and 12th centuries.
- Oral traditions and Sufi lore tie Samana to several spiritual personalities and saints, including Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.
The Shrine of Panj Peer
Panj Peer Mazar: Legacy of Imam Mashhad Ali
The most spiritually potent site in Samana is the Panj Peer Mazar, widely believed to be the final resting place of Imam Mashhad Ali, a descendant of Imam Ridha. For centuries, the identity of the shrine remained concealed until the discovery of the Persian epitaph during a routine cleaning operation before the visit of Lahore High Court Judge Shabbar Rizvi.
Key Highlights
- Built in 967 Hijri (1559 AD) by Ajruddin Khan Mughal, a nobleman from the Mughal court.
- Verified and authenticated by notable personalities, including Maulana Kalbe Jawwad, scholars from Aligarh Muslim University, and members of the Iranian embassy.
- The tombstone is among the rarest surviving written testimonies of Ahle-Bait lineage in India.
- The architecture features early Mughal motifs blended with Persian-style domes and calligraphy.
- The shrine has become a pilgrimage site for Shia, Sunni, and even Sikh devotees.
