|
Introduction:
Islam arrived in this land in the same process as the land itself has been
formed - in a conituous process of accumulation of silts. Islam was preached by
generation after generation before the establishement of Muslim rule through a
period of six centuries. As a result, a favoiurable place for Islam along with
basic knowlegde about it was created in the hearts of the people. If formed an
excellent psychological base that kept the inhabitants of this area firm upon
Islam neglecting all sorts of obstacles, attacks and conspiracies.
Islam entered Bangladesh through the following three ways:
1. The Chittagong port was one of the major ports for entering the eastern
region including China, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Many merchants used to
anchor at the Chittagong port and go to China using land roads. The Arab
merchants had been using this port since pre-Islamic period and continued to do
so after they embraced Islam. They used to preach Islam along with their
business activities. Islam began to spread from that time.
2. King Cherumol Perumol of Tamilnadu coastal kingdom Malabar embraced Islam
during the lifetime of the Prophet Mohammad (PUH). As a result that area turned
into a centre for preaching Islam. Preachers used to come to Bangladesh from
that region.
3. After the conquest of Sindh by Muhammad Bin Kashem, many preachers used to
come from the Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Turkey on their feet to preach Islam here.
The silent preaching of Islam that went for more than six centuries remained
hidden due to lack of historical evidences. Modern researcher are finding
evidences are being found from the books written by Arab Muslim historians,
geographers and Muhaddises. For example, it is proven from the narratives of
Muhaddis Imam Abadna Marwazi that a group of Sahabis including Abu Oakkas Ibn
Ohaib came to Chittagong in the year 618. The narratives of many Arab geograpics
of eleventh century including Abul Kasem Obaidullah Ibd Khurdadbih, Al Idrisi,
Al Masudi, Yaqub Ibn Abdullah mention the business relations and settlement of
Arab merchants in Chittagong seaport, Chandpur river port, Ramu, Coxesbazar etc.
These are verified by recently discovered archaeological evidences. A gold coin
of the period of Harun-ur-Rashid (788) was found in Paharpur, Rajshahi another
set of coins of Abbasia period were found in Moinamoti, Comilla. An ancient
Masjid that was built in the seventh century (689 BC, 69 Hizri) has been
discovered recently in Lalmonirhat district.
The folk stories and songs provide substantial hints about many Islam preachers
and saints. There are signs of their tombs and Dargahs. We find many mosques
built by them. These indicate that Islam had been spreading in Bangladesh for
six centuries before the Muslims conquered Bengal. The repressed anti-Aryan
people of Bengal began to adore Islam from that time.
The conquest of Bengal started in 1204. Islam began to receive patronisation
from the rulers. The barriers for the people of this region for embracing Islam
was removed. As a result they began to enter into Islam in large numbers. Islam
did not come here with the help of swords, rather the people of Bangladesh
embraced it through love and profound understanding.
Before Conquest of Bengal:
People of this land were familiar with Islam before the conquest of Bengal. Arab
merchants had links with Chittagong port since pre-Islamic period. It has been
proven in recent studies that a group of Sahabis including Abu Oakkas Malik,
Quyes Ibn Sairadi, Tameem Ansary, Urrah Ibn Assasa, Abu Quyes Ibn Harisa came to
Chittagong in 618 during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (PUB). They
preached Islam there for few years and then went to China.
The following Sahabis came to Bangladesh through Chittagong seaport after the
death of the Prophet Muhammad (PUB):
- Abdullah Ibn Utban
- Assem Ibn Amr Tameemi
- Sahel Ibn Abdi
- Suhael Ibn Adi
- Hakim Ibn Abeel Assaqafi
Later five delegations of the Tabeyees including a group of Muhammad Mamun and
Muhammad Mohaimen came here to preach Islam.
In 712 Muhammad Bin Kasem conquered Sindh. It paved the way for Muslims to come
to Bengal.
In 778 a group of Muslims fell into a storm in the Bay of Bengal. They were
taken to the King of Arakan Ma-ba-toing. The king became very pleased with them
due to their behaviour and intellects. He gave them several villages to settle.
As a result, an Islamic society was developed in the course of time.
During 866 to 874, the famous saint of Iran Baezid Bostami preached Islam in
Chittagong. Although most of the historians say that he returned to his
homeland, many people believe that he died and was buried in Chittagong. His
shrine is still in Chittagong.
In 954, the Muslims of Arakan became so powerful that they established Muslim
rule in a part of Chittagong. King San-da-ya could not tolerate the Muslim rule
and defeated them.
In 1053, Shah Muhammad Sultan Balkhi reached Harirumpur of Manikgonj through
river way. He later established an Islam preaching centre around Mohastangar of
Bogra. He established mosques and Islamic schools. During this time, he had to
fight with King Parshuram of Mohastangar. The king was killed in the battle.
Later the Army Chief Surkhab and captive princes Ratna Moni embraced Islam. Shah
Muhammad Sultan Balkhi arranged their marriage and nominated Surkhab as the new
king.
In 1053, Shah Muhammad Sultan Rumi came to Netrokona with a group of preachers.
He invited the king of Madanpur for embracing Islam. The king refused first but
accepted the invitation later and entered into Islam.
In 1179, Baba Shah Adam came to Bikrampur with a group of preacher to preach
Islam there. Later he was martyred in a battle with king Ballal Sen.
In 1184, Shah Makhdum Ruposh came to Rajshahi as the first Islam preacher there.
He was one of the preachers who built the base of Islam in Bangladesh in a
completely hostile environment. He turned Rajshahi into an Islamic locality. His
activities were centred around Rampur and Boalia.
Islam as Victor in Various Places:
It took two centuries to establish complete Muslim rule in Bengal. Muslim rule
started from Rajshahi and completed in Khulna by Khan Jahan Ali.
1. North Bengal (Nadia, Gaur, Rangpur, Dinajpur: 1204)
After Delhi and Bihar was conquered by Muslims, King Lakxan Sen of Bengal
anticipated Muslim attacks there. He was afraid that a Muslim battalion would
suddenly attack him to free the people of this region from his oppression.
Moreover, the astrologists told him that he would be defeated by the victor of
Bihar, Bakhtier Khilji. As a result he employed strong guard in all conventional
entrances of his temporary capital Nadia. However, in 1204, Bakhtier Khilji
entered Nadia in a completely unconventional and difficult way and attacked the
palace with a battalion of only 18 advanced soldiers. Lakxan Sen thought that
the capital had fallen and escaped through the backdoor. It was the starting of
Muslim rule in Bengal. Bakhtier Khalji conquered the whole North Bengal
including Gaur, Bogra, Rangpur and Dinajpur.
2. Eastern-Southern Area (Sonargaon, Dhaka, Faridpur, Mymensingh, Barishal:
1274-1290):
Sultan Mugisuddin Tugril of Lakhnauti became active to establish Muslim rule in
entire Bengal. He defeated the last Sen king Madhu Sen and brought Eastern
Bengal under Muslim rule. As a result Sonargaon, Dhaka and Faridpur came under
Islam. He build a fort at a place called Larikal 25 miles south to Dhaka and
named it 'Killa-e-Turgil'. Bughra Khan was appointed ruler of Bengal in 1281. He
ruled Bengal until 1290. Meanwhile, he brought Mymensingh and Barishal under
Muslim Rule.
3. Sylhet (1303):
Sylhet was being ruled by a tyrant king named Gaur Gavinda. In 1301, Sultan
Shamsuddin Feroz Shah sent forces against him twice in the commands of his Army
Chief Sekander Gazi. It failed. He sent a group of soldiers again in 1303 in the
leadership of Sayed Nasiruddin. Sekander Gazi too fought against Gaur Gavinda in
this battle. Famous saint Shah Jalal assisted the force with his 313 companions.
Gaur Gavinda escaped after being defeated. Shah Jalal stayed in Sylhet till his
death in 1446 and preached and established Islam there.
4. Chittagong (1340):
Although Islam reached Chittagong much earlier, it took time to establish Muslim
rule there. Sultan Fakhruddin Mubarak Shah was thorn in Soanargaon in 1338 and
extended the area of his rule to southeast. During that period Ali Qadar Khan,
Ali Mubarak Khan and Shamsuddin Mubarak Shah were in power in North Bengal.
Fahkruddin Mubarak Shah brought Chittgaong under Muslim rule for the first time
in 1340 and built a road from Chandpur to Chittagong.
5. Khulna Division (1418-1449):
Khan Jahan Ali played a remarkable role in preaching and establishing Islam
throughout Khulna Division. Few Hindu Zaminders were ruling a small portion of
the area and the remaining vast land was occupied by jungle. Khan Jahan Ali was
engaged in building habitants, preaching Islam among non-Muslims and carrying
out humanitarian activities. He built 360 mosques, dug 360 ponds for drinking
water and constructed numerous pukka roads. He started building mosques, digging
ponds and constructing roads from Barabazar of Jhenidah and reached Bagerhat.
There he settled and build famous Shat Gambuj (Sixty Domes) Mosque. He
established Quranic rule there in the name 'Khalifatabad' meaning the place of
God's representatives.
|
