The correct option is (c).
Explanation
The Chishti Order (Silsilah) is one of the most influential and popular Sufi orders in the Indian subcontinent. It emphasizes the doctrine of Wahdat-al-Wajud (Unity of Being), love, tolerance, and service to humanity, traditionally maintaining a distance from state power and royal courts.
Statement 1 is Incorrect.
The Chishti order did not originate in South India. It originated in Chisht, a small town near Herat in Afghanistan, and was founded by Abu Ishaq Shami. The order was introduced to India by Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti, who settled in Ajmer (Rajasthan) in North India. It subsequently spread across Northern India before reaching the Deccan (South India) much later.
Statement 2 is Correct.
Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti (popularly known as Gharib Nawaz) was the foundational figure of the Chishti order in India. He arrived in the subcontinent around the late 12th century and established his khanqah in Ajmer, which became a major center for the order.
Statement 3 is Correct.
Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki and Baba Farid (Fariduddin Ganjshakar) are key saints of the Chishti lineage. Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki was the direct disciple and spiritual successor of Muinuddin Chishti. Baba Farid was the disciple of Bakhtiar Kaki and the teacher of the renowned Nizamuddin Auliya.
Key Takeaway:
The Chishti order originated in Afghanistan (not South India) and follows the prominent lineage: Muinuddin Chishti → Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki → Baba Farid → Nizamuddin Auliya.