Dr. Rochal Das: The Sufi Saint and Poet of Rohri
Introduction
Dr. Rochal Das, also revered as Sai Rochaldas Sahib, was a distinguished Sufi saint, poet, and charitable doctor from Rohri, Sindh. Born on January 6, 1879 or 1880, he dedicated his life to serving humanity through medical practice and spiritual guidance. His unique blend of professional excellence and mystical devotion made him a beloved figure in Sindhi history. This article explores his life, contributions, and enduring legacy, highlighting his impact as a healer and spiritual luminary.
Early Life and Family Background
Dr. Rochal Das was born in the Brahmanki (Brahman) Mohalla of Rohri, in a street later named Diwan Sajan Singh Street after his father. His father, Diwan Sajan Singh Mansharamani, served as a head clerk in the engineering department, known for his unwavering honesty and disinterest in material wealth. Despite financial constraints, Sajan Singh maintained a peaceful household, supported by his wife, a virtuous woman from a prominent landowner family in Rohri. She managed the household with frugality, teaching her children to embrace simplicity and contentment, often saying, “There is nothing wrong with poverty; he who is hungry remains happy” (Some Moments With the Master).
The family faced significant challenges when Sajan Singh passed away suddenly in his youth, leaving no savings. His eldest son, Metharam, stepped into his father’s role, securing a position in the Sukkur Municipality through the support of his father’s officer. Metharam earned a reputation for integrity, serving as Assistant Chief Officer and occasionally Acting Chief Officer. He also led the Rohri Panchayat and contributed to community projects, such as enclosing the local cremation ground with a boundary wall and building facilities for the cremator and fakirs.
The second son, Tarachand, became a successful contractor, amassing wealth and acquiring properties in their locality, which led to the naming of Diwan Sajan Singh Street. Known for his generosity, Tarachand supported his younger brother, Dr. Rochal Das, in establishing a charitable hospital in Gujwani Mohalla. Tragically, like his father, Tarachand passed away in his youth.
Family Contributions Table
The following table summarizes the roles and contributions of Diwan Sajan Singh and his sons, highlighting their impact on Rohri:
Family Member | Role | Contributions |
|---|
Diwan Sajan Singh | Head Clerk, Engineering Department | Known for honesty, raised family with simplicity |
Metharam | Sukkur Municipality Officer, Panchayat Head | Upheld family’s integrity, developed cremation ground |
Tarachand | Contractor | Supported charitable hospital, acquired properties |
Dr. Rochal Das | Doctor, Sufi Saint, Poet | Ran charitable hospital, authored spiritual poetry |
Education and Medical Career
In 1901, Dr. Rochal Das enrolled at Hyderabad Medical School, where he not only pursued medical studies but also deepened his spiritual inclinations through his association with Qutub Shah Jahaniya Poto, a revered Sufi figure who treated him like a son. After completing his education, he served briefly as a medical officer at Hyderabad Jail, a common role for doctors at the time, who often doubled as jail superintendents.
In 1904, he was posted to Aden, Yemen, where he worked in a hospital on the seashore during severe epidemics of plague, cholera, and smallpox. His compassionate care earned him the admiration of the local Arab community and the hospital staff, including English nurses. Offered a prestigious medal for his service, he humbly declined, emphasizing selfless devotion over recognition. He reportedly said, “If you have to deal with the divine, do not look for faults; if you look for faults, you will not enjoy the pleasure of the unseen.”
Upon returning to Rohri, Dr. Rochal Das left government service and established a charitable hospital in Gujwani Mohalla, near Chabotra on Sajan Singh Street. Having trained under Dr. Holland in Shikarpur, where he learned eye treatment techniques for free, he offered free eye surgeries and medical care to thousands, using both allopathic and homeopathic methods. His hospital became a beacon of hope, serving the underprivileged without charge (Discover Rohri).
Spiritual Journey and Influences
Dr. Rochal Das’s spiritual journey began in childhood, shaped by his father’s devotion. Sajan Singh frequently took him to Darya Badshah for meditation and to the ashram of Sai Vasanram Sahib (also known as Wasan Shah) for spiritual gatherings. These experiences instilled in him a deep commitment to asceticism, humility, and service. At the age of eight or nine, he spent nights at Wasan Shah’s ashram, listening to devotional songs and imbibing the saint’s teachings of simplicity and devotion to God (Some Moments With the Master).
Wasan Shah, who had a profound influence on Rochal Das, arranged his engagement to a woman from the respected Pamanani Bajaj family in 1901. Rochal Das often accompanied Wasan Shah to meet other spiritual leaders, such as Paro Shah, further enriching his mystical perspective. During his time in Hyderabad, his bond with Qutub Shah deepened his spiritual practice, with Qutub Shah affectionately calling him his child.
Dr. Rochal Das embraced Sufi principles, remaining absorbed in divine contemplation and practicing rigorous spiritual disciplines. He believed in staying away from material comforts and accepting hardships, a lesson he learned from Wasan Shah’s example of service and austerity.
Contributions as a Sufi Saint and Poet
As a Sufi saint, Dr. Rochal Das organized vibrant Sufi gatherings in Rohri, blending his medical service with spiritual devotion. These gatherings fostered a sense of community and spiritual upliftment, reflecting his belief in the unity of service and mysticism. He expressed his spiritual insights through poetry, authoring works such as Barani Boli (Children’s Language), Ath aur Or (Here and Beyond), and Kay Saaton Sajan San (Some Moments with the Beloved). These books, published posthumously by his son Dr. Hariram, showcase his mastery of the Sindhi language and his ability to convey profound mystical concepts in accessible terms.
Limited information is available about the content of his poetry, but it is believed to reflect themes of divine love, humility, and spiritual awakening, common in Sufi literature. His saying, “When the tongue is silent, the journey to the beloved begins,” underscores his emphasis on inner devotion over outward recognition.
Family and Legacy
Dr. Rochal Das married into the Pamanani Bajaj family in 1901, a union arranged by Wasan Shah, reflecting the saint’s affection for him. His son, Dr. Hariram, played a crucial role in preserving his father’s legacy. After the partition of India in 1947, Dr. Hariram relocated to Shanti Nagar, Kalyan Camp 3, in India, where he continued practicing medicine and published his father’s literary works.
Dr. Rochal Das passed away on December 10, 1957, in India, leaving behind a legacy of selfless service, spiritual wisdom, and literary contributions. His charitable hospital, later managed by Dr. Ghaneshyamdas, his brother-in-law and classmate, continued to serve the community. His life remains a testament to the power of integrating professional dedication with spiritual pursuit.
Conclusion
Dr. Rochal Das, or Sai Rochaldas Sahib, stands as a revered figure in the history of Rohri and Sindh. His charitable medical practice, spiritual gatherings, and poetic works reflect a life dedicated to serving humanity and seeking divine truth. His influence continues through his family’s contributions and the enduring inspiration of his teachings. As a Sufi saint and poet, he bridged the material and spiritual worlds, leaving a legacy that resonates with those who value compassion and mysticism.
References
Rizvi, I. H. S. (2025). Information provided by Imdad Hussain Shah Rizvi via a Facebook post about Dr. Rochal Das and his family (specific post not publicly accessible).
Hari, R.M. (Author). "Some Moments With the Master: Spiritual Dialogues With The Sufi Saint Dr. Rochaldas." Available at: Lehmanns.de and Archive.org.
Discover Rohri - The Ancient City of Sindh. Retrieved from www.rohri.net.
Post: Sayed Sajjad Hussain Musavi
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