Islam in Bengal
Session 4
Learning Objectives
• Spread of Islam in the Bengal delta
• Turkish and Afghan rule in Bengal
• Bengal sultanate and Mughal rule
Slides by Bobby Hajjaj 2
Spread of Islam in Bengal: Key Factors
•Agrarian Expansion:
Sufis cleared forests, introduced rice cultivation, and established settlements.
•Role of Sufi Saints:
Pirs established shrines, integrated local customs, and spread Islamic values.
•State Patronage:
Muslim rulers supported mosques, madrasas, and offered land grants and tax relief.
•Cultural Integration:
Islam blended with local beliefs, creating a syncretic religious identity.
•Social Mobility:
Lower-caste Hindus converted to escape caste oppression.
•Ecological Transformation:
Eastern Bengal's delta was cultivated and populated under Muslim pioneers.
•Trade Networks:
Muslim merchants spread Islam via commercial hubs and trade routes.
•Decline of Other Religions:
Islam replaced Buddhism and filled spiritual voids left by its decline.
•Localized Spread:
Conversion was higher in eastern Bengal than in western regions.
Slides by Bobby Hajjaj 3
Spread of Islam in Bengal
• Shah Jalal and the Conquest of Sylhet
➢ Shah Jalal, a revered Sufi Saint, led 3,000 dervishes to Sylhet,
defeating Hindu king Govinda Dev and establishing Islam's influence
in eastern Bengal.
• Social and Cultural Factors in Conversion
➢ Islam's egalitarian values attracted marginalized groups like lower-
caste Hindus, widows, and persecuted Buddhists.
• Economic and Political Factors
➢ High taxes on non-Muslims under Turko-Afghan rulers encouraged
conversions for relief and opportunities.
• The Composition of Bengal’s Muslim Population
➢ Turk and Persian Migrants
➢ Converted Buddhists and Lower-Caste Hindus
➢ Upper-Caste Hindus
• Social Harmony and Later Divergences
Slides by Bobby Hajjaj 4
12th to 17th Century
Period Bengal Rulers
12th Sen Dynasty: Ballal Sen, Lakshman Sen, Period Delhi Sultans
Century Vishwarup Sen
Delhi Governors: Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khilji, 12th Ghurid Governors: Muhammad Ghori, Qutb-
1204-1236 Ali Mardan Khilji, Shiran Khilji Century ud-din Aibak (Governor before Sultan)
Independent Governors: Ghiyas-ud-din Iwaz 1206-1210 Qutb-ud-din Aibak
1236-1251 Khilji, Tughral Tughan Khan 1211-1236 Iltutmish
Ilyas Shahi Dynasty: Shams-ud-din Ilyas Shah,
1251-1342 Sikandar Shah, Ghiyas-ud-din Azam Shah Razia Sultana, Muiz-ud-din Bahram Shah, Ala-
Restored Ilyas Shahi: Nasir-ud-din Mahmud 1236-1240 ud-din Masud Shah
1342-1358 Shah, Rukn-ud-din Barbak Shah 1240-1266 Nasir-ud-din Mahmud, Balban
Raja Ganesh and successors: Raja Ganesh, Jalal- 1266-1290 Jalal-ud-din Khilji, Ala-ud-din Khilji
ud-din Muhammad Shah, Shams-ud-din Ahmad
Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq, Muhammad bin
1358-1415 Shah
1290-1320 Tughlaq, Firuz Shah Tughlaq
Hussain Shahi Dynasty: Alauddin Hussain Shah,
1415-1538 Nusrat Shah, Ghiyas-ud-din Mahmud Shah Khizr Khan, Mubarak Shah, Muhammad Shah,
Afghan Rule: Sher Shah Suri, Islam Shah Suri, 1320-1414 Ala-ud-din Alam Shah
Muhammad Adil Shah, Taj Khan Karrani, 1414-1451 Bahlul Lodi, Sikandar Lodi, Ibrahim Lodi
1538-1576 Suleiman Karrani 1451-1526 Babur (Mughal Conquest Begins)
Mughal Governors: Islam Khan, Shayesta Khan,
Slides by Bobby Hajjaj 5
1576-1707 Murshid Quli Khan
The Arrival and Consolidation of Islamic Rule in Bengal
• Prelude to Islamic Invasion: Ghaznavid and Ghurid Campaigns
➢ Islam came to Bengal in the thirteenth century
• Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khilji and the Conquest of Bengal
➢ Surprise Attack: Bakhtiyar Khilji’s daring raid through Jharkhand caught Bengal’s Sena
dynasty off guard, forcing King Lakshmana Sena to flee.
• The Establishment of Islamic Rule in Bengal
➢ Turkish Rule: Bakhtiyar Khilji’s conquest integrated Bengal into the Delhi Sultanate,
making Gaur and Pandua centers of Islamic administration and architecture.
➢ Cultural Blend: Sufi missionaries and military conquest spread Islam, creating a
unique fusion of Islamic and Bengali traditions, shaping Bengal’s Islamic identity.
• Legacy of Islamic Bengal
Slides by Bobby Hajjaj 6
The Turkish Invasion and the Formation of
Islamic Rule in Bengal
• Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khilji: The Adventurer and Conqueror
➢ Consolidated power in Bengal but faced disaster in Tibet, leading to his
assassination.
• Successors and Early Turbulence in Lakhnaoti
➢ Ghiyas-ud-din’s Reign: Built mosques, repelled invasions, and gained
Caliph’s recognition but clashed with Delhi.
➢ Delhi’s Victory: Naval battles on the Ganges led to Ghiyas-ud-din’s
capture and Bengal’s submission to Delhi.
• Rebellions and Tughral Khan’s Defiance
➢ Tughral Khan defied Delhi using Bengal’s rivers, but Balban crushed his
revolt, executed supporters, and reasserted control, appointing his son
Boghra Khan as governor.
• The Fragmentation of Bengal
➢ Shams-ud-din Firuz Shah’s reign saw Bengal’s expansion and, after his
death, its division into three provinces, paving the way for independent
sultanates.
Slides by Bobby Hajjaj 7
The Ilyas Shahi Dynasty: Establishing Bengal's
Independence
• Shams-ud-din Ilyas Shah: Founder of the Dynasty
• Conflict with Firuz Shah Tughlaq
• Sikandar Shah and Continued Independence
• Ghiyas-ud-din Azam Shah: Justice and Cultural Flourishing
• Challenges and Decline
• Legacy of the Ilyas Shahi Dynasty
List of the Rulers of Ilyas Shahi Dynasty
• Shams-ud-din Ilyas Shah (1342–1358)
• Sikandar Shah (1358–1390)
• Ghiyas-ud-din Azam Shah (1390–1410)
• Saif-ud-din Hamza Shah (1410–1412)
• Shihab-ud-din Bayazid Shah (1412–1414)
Slides by Bobby Hajjaj 8
Highlights of Ilyas Shahi Dynasty
•Founding by Shams-ud-din Ilyas Shah: Unified Bengal by conquering Sonargaon, Satgaon, and Lakhnaoti,
establishing the dynasty and defending Bengal’s independence against Delhi.
•Conflict with Delhi: Successfully resisted invasions by Firuz Shah Tughlaq, leveraging Bengal’s geography
and monsoon climate to maintain sovereignty.
•Sikandar Shah’s Treaty: Secured Bengal’s independence through a treaty with Delhi, symbolized by the
exchange of a golden crown.
•Ghiyas-ud-din Azam Shah’s Reign: Known for justice, exemplified by his submission to the qazi’s ruling,
and cultural exchanges with Persian poets like Hafiz.
•Cultural Flourishing: Strengthened ties with the Islamic world, blending Persian influences with Bengali
traditions.
•Decline: Faced internal instability and external challenges, leading to the dynasty’s eventual downfall.
•Legacy: Established Bengal as an independent sultanate, leaving a lasting impact on its political, cultural, and
judicial identity.
Slides by Bobby Hajjaj 9
Raja Ganesh: A Complex Figure in Bengal’s History
• Ganesh’s Role as De Facto Ruler
➢ A zamindar of north Bengal, Installed his son, Jadu, as the ruler of Bengal
after converting him to Islam.
• Jalal-ud-din’s Rule and Consolidation of Power
➢ Period of relative peace and stability under Jalal-ud-din.
• The Arakanese Occupation of Chittagong
➢ In 1459, Arakanese ruler Ali Khan captured Chittagong, holding it for nearly
two centuries until the Mughals reclaimed it in 1666, highlighting its strategic
importance and vulnerability.
• The End of the Ilyas Shahi Dynasty and Abyssinian Rule
• The Rise of Hussain Shah and the Golden Era of Bengal
• Legacy of Raja Ganesh
Slides by Bobby Hajjaj 10
The Legacy of Ala-ud-din Hussain Shah: Bengal's
Renaissance Ruler
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• The Reign of Nusrat Shah
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➢ Nusrat Shah upheld his father’s legacy, maintaining Bengal’s independence,
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• Decline of the Hussain Shahi Dynasty
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➢ After Nusrat Shah’s assassination, Bengal weakened under Ghiyas-ud-din Mahmud
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• Legacy of Ala-ud-din Hussain Shah
Slides by Bobby Hajjaj 11
The Role of Vaishnavism in the Cultural and Social Development of Bengal
• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: Life and Mission- Chaitanya promoted Krishna
devotion, caste equality, and accessible teachings in Bengali.
• Vaishnavism as a Social Movement- Vaishnavism offered marginalized
groups dignity and an alternative to the caste system.
• Opposition and Resolution- Chaitanya resolved opposition through
dialogue, bridging religious divides.
• Influence Beyond Bengal- Vaishnavism spread across India, inspiring
social reforms with its inclusive ideals.
• Gender Equality in Vaishnavism- Chaitanya’s movement granted women
equal participation in devotional practices.
• Convergence with Secular Rule- Vaishnavism thrived under Hussain
Shah’s inclusive rule, supporting Bengali literature and spirituality.
Slides by Bobby Hajjaj 12
The Mughal Era
• Sher Shah Suri: The Path to Bengal's Integration- Sher Shah Suri
reshaped Bengal’s governance and administration, leading to its
eventual integration into the Mughal Empire.
• Sher Shah Suri: Rise to Power- Sher Shah rose from a small estate
owner to Sultan of Bengal, defeating the Mughal-backed Sultan
Mahmud Shah of Gaur.
• Sher Shah’s Administrative Legacy- Sher Shah’s reforms, including a
land revenue system and efficient administration, laid the groundwork
for future Mughal policies.
• The Decline of Sher Shah’s Lineage- After Sher Shah’s death, his
lineage weakened, leading to a period of instability in Bengal until the
rise of the Karrani dynasty.
• The Mughal Conquest of Bengal- The Mughals, led by Akbar’s general
Munim Khan, defeated Daud Khan’s rebellion, marking the end of
Afghan rule in Bengal.
Slides by Bobby Hajjaj 13
Reign of Akbar the Great: Bengal and the Challenge of
Consolidation
• Early Challenges and Revolts- The first Mughal subedars of Bengal struggled
with opposition to Akbar’s centralization and religious tolerance, leading to
widespread unrest.
• The Struggle for Control: Isa Khan and the Baro Bhuyians- Isa Khan, a
powerful warlord, resisted Mughal authority, but eventually, his isolation led to
peace with the Mughals by 1587.
• The Baro Bhuyians and Regional Resistance- Isa Khan allied with other
regional leaders to challenge Mughal control, but was ultimately forced to
retreat after Mughal military intervention.
• The Menace of Arakanese and Portuguese Pirates- Arakanese pirates, allied
with local leaders, disrupted trade in Bengal until the Mughal military defeated
them in 1603.
• Mughal Consolidation and Legacy- Akbar’s reign established Mughal control
over Bengal through military and diplomatic efforts, integrating the region into
the empire and setting the stage for its prosperity.
Slides by Bobby Hajjaj 14
The Baro-Bhuiyans of Bengal
Who Were They?
Independent landlords or chieftains resisting Mughal expansion in 16th–17th century Bengal.
Origins and Territories:
Emerged after the Bengal Sultanate's decline; strongholds in Dhaka, Comilla, Sylhet, and Mymensingh.
Prominent Leaders:
Isa Khan: Defeated Mughals at Egarasindhur (1584); famed for guerrilla and naval tactics.
Musa Khan: Continued resistance; submitted to Mughals in 1612.
Kedar Rai & Raghunath Singh: Notable allies of Isa Khan.
Basant Rai, Chand Rai, Anwar Khan, and Bir Narayan: Other key chieftains resisting Mughal control.
Structure and Governance:
Operated as a confederacy; collected taxes, maintained armies, and controlled territories independently.
Resistance and Decline:
Resisted Mughal governors like Shahbaz Khan using guerrilla and naval warfare.
Declined after Isa Khan's death (1599); Musa Khan’s defeat (1612) ended autonomy.
Legacy:
Symbols of regional defiance and autonomy in Bengali history.
Highlighted the strategic importance of rivers and waterways in Bengal's military history.
Slides by Bobby Hajjaj 15
Jahangir and the further Consolidation of Mughal Bengal
• Islam Khan and the Establishment of Mughal Rule in Bengal- Islam Khan
subdued the Pathan insurgency and annexed Sylhet, consolidating Mughal
control over Bengal and surrounding areas.
• Shifting the Capital to Dhaka- Islam Khan moved the capital from Rajmahal to
Dhaka for strategic reasons, fortifying the city and making it a key
administrative and economic hub.
• Successors and Regional Challenges- Qasim Khan's leadership faltered,
leading to attacks from Arakanese and Portuguese forces, while Ibrahim Khan
faced complications due to internal Mughal conflicts.
• Stability Under Shah Jahan- Shah Jahan's reign brought peace and prosperity
to Bengal, maintaining stability until the Mughal Empire's decline after
Aurangzeb's death in 1707.
Slides by Bobby Hajjaj 16
Shayesta Khan: The Transformative Subedar of Bengal
• Governance and Wealth Accumulation- Shayesta Khan was a skilled
administrator, accumulating immense wealth and using diplomacy rather
than battle to strengthen Mughal rule.
• The Conquest of Chittagong- Shayesta Khan successfully captured
Chittagong in 1666 by exploiting tensions between the Portuguese and
Mugs, renaming it Islamabad and bolstering Mughal influence.
• Conflict with the English East India Company- Shayesta Khan's forces
defeated the English East India Company at Hooghly, and after conflict,
negotiations allowed the English to establish a factory in Calcutta by 1690.
• Succession and the Rise of Murshid Quli Khan- After Shayesta Khan's
dismissal, Azim-ush-Shan’s mismanagement led to conflict with his dewan,
Murshid Quli Khan, who eventually became the de facto ruler of Bengal.
• Legacy- hayesta Khan’s tenure is remembered for administrative efficiency,
territorial expansion, and economic success, with his controversial
methods paving the way for Murshid Quli Khan's rise to power.
Slides by Bobby Hajjaj 17
Slides by Bobby Hajjaj 18
