Syed Ali Tarmizi and Akhun Darwaiza: Mughal Agents or Popular Saints

The Sixteenth century proved an eventful period with regard to the Mughal-Pakhtūn relations in the north-western borderland region. Besides the political tug of war it witnessed a clash of religious nature between the two Ṣūfī saints of the area namely Bāyazīd Anṣārī and Syed ‘Alī Tirmidhī Aliās Pīr Bābā. Settled in the pre-dominantly anti-Mughal Pakhtūn abode Bāyazīd Anṣārī was an opponent of the Mughals in his political orientation in religious jargon. Pīr Bābā challenged his Ṣūfic interpretation based on the Waḥdat al-Wūjūd concept of Islamic mysticism. Their confrontation of mystic traditions gave birth to a debate that whether Pīr Bābā had confronted Bāyazīd for religious reasons or he was working for the interests of the Mughals. The present article aimed at to investigate the matter and to establish a factual position. It would further be explored to understand the nature and contents of the conflict that whether it was religious or otherwise.

Exploring Male and Female Headteachers Views and Practices of Discipline and Disciplinary Measures in the Secondary Schools

The focus of the research was to explore male and female principals’ views of discipline and discipline strategies they employ for maintaining discipline in schools. The study also attempted to answer whether the gender of the principal makes any difference in discipline management or not. Qualitative investigation guided the design of the study. The study sample comprised two secondary school principals (one male and one female) from private secondary schools in Karachi, Pakistan. They were selected through the mode of purposive sampling. Empirical data was collected by the means of semi-structured interviews, observation through shadowing and document analysis. The data was analysed in accordance with accepted procedures such as transcribing the data and coding it into themes and sub-themes as they emerged from the data. The results indicated the gendered attitude of the principals in discipline management. Both principals consider discipline as a source to maintain sex segregation in the entire school setting. Furthermore, the study revealed that boys receive corporal punishment more frequently in the male principal’s school, because he perceives that boys are physically stronger than girls. Moreover, it was found that the female principal focused on caring, understanding, collaboration, involvement and human proximity as compared to the male head teacher who was assertive in the discipline management. Over all, it was revealed that principals’ strategies of disciplining students are also guided by their personal experiences and socio-economic situation and the cultural practices of the pupils’ parents. The study recommends that both schools need to adopt constructive strategies and incorporate the gender perspective into the discipline policy. Since this study is one of the few researches done in the field in Pakistan it is therefore expected to make a contribution to the gender studies done so far in this context.