Which one of the following is the correct meaning of ziyarat ?

Which one of the following is the correct meaning of ziyarat ?

Pilgrimage to the tombs of sufi saints
The practice of revenue farming
The death anniversary of a sufi shaikh
A form of Islamic divorce
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2021
The correct answer is A) Pilgrimage to the tombs of sufi saints.
Ziyarat is an Arabic term meaning “visit” or “pilgrimage”. In the context of Sufism, *ziyarat* specifically refers to the act of visiting the tomb (dargah) of a Sufi saint, which is considered a pious act by many followers. Devotees undertake these pilgrimages to pay homage, seek blessings, and pray for intercession.
Option B, revenue farming (Ijarah or Jagirdari in different contexts), is an economic/administrative practice. Option C, the death anniversary of a Sufi shaikh, is known as *Urs*. Option D refers to Islamic concepts of divorce (Talaq, Khula, etc.). Ziyarat distinctly means the act of visiting a holy place, most commonly a saint’s tomb in the Sufi context.