International Hope School Bangladesh
2022 – 2023 ACADEMIC YEAR – FIRST TERM –BANGLADESH STUDIES
LESSON NOTE
Focus Point 2: How Muslim rule developed in Bengal and the impact of this on
Bengal.
Ilyas Shahi Dynasty (conquest and establishment of rule over Bengal, architecture and
religion)
The Bengal Sultanate
T he Bengal Sultanate was a late medieval sultanate based in the Bengal region between the
14th and 16th century. The Bengal Sultanate controlled large parts of the eastern
subcontinent during its five dynastic periods, reaching its peak under Hussain Shahi
dynasty. The Bengal Sultanate was a Sunni Muslim monarchy with Bengali, Turco-
Persian, Indo-Afghan and Abyssinian elites. The most prominent dynasties were the Ilyas
Shahi, House of Ganesha and Hussain Shahi. After the assassination of Bakhtiar Khalji by his
own officer Ali Mardan in 1206, Bengal was administered by various Maliks belonging to the
Khalji tribe.
Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah
Establishment of rule over Bengal : Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah was the founder of the Sultanate of
Bengal and its inaugural Ilyas Shahi dynasty. The Ilyas Shahi Dynasty ruled Bengal for 145
years The Ilyas Shahi dynasty fostered a Persianate civilization. It reflected the monarchy and
diplomacy of Pre-Islamic Persia. Iliyas Shah himself set up an independent Sultanate Bangalah
for the first time by uniting the Bengali speaking territories of Satgaon, Lakhnauti and Sonargaon
and a sense of nationalism grew up.
Conquest of Ilyas Shah
As Sultan, he waged war against the Delhi Sultanate to secure recognition of Bengal’s
independence. His military campaigns expanded the Bengal Sultanate’s territory to include parts
of north India, northeast India, Nepal, and Orissa.
Eastern Bengal and Northern Bihar: He conquered these territories, expanding the influence
of the Bengal Sultanate.
Nepal: Ilyas Shah led the first Muslim army into Nepal, raiding the Kathmandu Valley and
returning with treasures.
Varanasi (Benaras): His control stretched westward to Varanasi, encompassing a vast area from
Assam to Varanasi.
Unification of Bengal: In the early 14th century, Bengal was divided into three provinces:
Satgaon in South Bengal, Sonargaon in East Bengal, and Lakhnauti in North Bengal. These city-
states operated independently. However, Ilyas Shah emerged as a unifying force. He defeated the
rulers of Lakhnauti and Sonargaon, bringing these regions together into a single state. His capital
was established in Pandua.
Religious tolerance of Ilyas Shah
While he followed Sunni Islam himself, Ilyas Shah did not impose religious uniformity on his
subjects. Instead, he allowed for religious diversity and respected the practices of various
communities. This approach contributed to a harmonious society during his reign .The capital
city courts retained Islam as the official religion and used a hierarchical administration.
Undiscriminating Hindu-Muslim ego, paying due respect to the country’s language and
literature rewarding and providing assistance to the scholars and poets of the country, giving a
setup of Muslim culture in Bengal.
Architectural legacy:
Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah, made significant contributions to architecture during his reign .
Hajipur: Ilyas Shah was a builder too. He founded the city of Hajipur and constructed a
bathhouse (similar to the famous Shamsi bath of Delhi). This architectural feat added to the
urban landscape of the region.
Adina Mosque: One of the most remarkable architectural achievements during the Ilyas Shahi
dynasty was the Adina Mosque. This mosque, once the largest in the entire subcontinent
Other Structures: Besides the Adina Mosque, the Ilyas Shahi rulers also constructed
two madrasas (educational institutions) for the dissemination of Islamic learning. One was
located near the Umme-Hani gate in Makka, and the other was near the Gate of Peace (Bab-al-
Salam) in Madina. These institutions played a crucial role in promoting scholarship and religious
education.The Ilyas Shahi dynasty left a lasting architectural legacy, blending artistic vision with
functional design
Chapter Review
In fact, the political, social, economic and cultural interests of the country developed
and all people of Bengal came under the banner of one politico-social and linguistic
platform which infused a new life in the society by adopting a liberal policy and
bringing cohesion among the people.
Iliyas Shah was able to build up a well-balanced social harmony in Bengal.
The contribution of Iliyas Shahi Dynasty is great in driving the trades, commerce and
business of Bengal to the outer world like Arabia, Persia, China and so on.
In writings of Barbosa(was a Portuguese writer and officer from Portuguese India), it
comes out that the people of Muslim community were rich, luxurious, and fond of
entertainments.
