From schizophrenia to sainthood - Tajuddin Fakir.
Amruta Huddar, Tasneem Raja, Sanjeev Jain, Swaran P Singh
Asian Journal of Psychiatry 2021 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102465 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Historical analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Tajuddin, a patient in the Nagpur mental asylum in the late 19th century |
| Keywords | Sainthood and psychia |
| Key points | Argues that Tajuddin's case illustrates a contradiction between cultural understandings of psychosis and psychiatry's diagnostic foundations. |
Abstract
This paper discusses the case of Tajuddin, a patient in the mental asylum of Nagpur towards the end of the 19th century. Discussions are based on hospital records and annual reports and relevant literature review of the life and times of Tajuddin. Hospital and associated records indicate that Tajuddin was thought to be suffering from cannabis psychosis. He was released from the British army for inappropriate behaviour and was admitted to the Nagpur Mental Asylum, currently a Regional Mental Hospital. During his inpatient stay Tajuddin was believed to have special powers and was considered a saint. The hospital, its staff and patients continue to pay homage to Tajuddin to this day. Religious Trusts established in his name extend all the way up to Mecca. His followers include high ranking officers and Bollywood celebrities. Tajuddin was a charismatic leader, despite suffering from what currently may be considered schizophrenia. His case reflects a curious contradiction of the cultural understandings of psychosis and the shifting sands on which psychiatry's diagnostic foundations are built.