Emergence of Bangladesh

EMB 101
SUMMER 2025

Sawban IBN Farid

LECTURER
SCHOOL OF GENERAL EDUCATION

BRAC UNIVERSITY
 Lecture 4:
MUSLIM RULE IN BENGAL
 There are three stages in the establishment of Muslim
rule in India.
1. Muhammad bin Qasim defeated Dahir, king of Sindh in
712 AD, conquered the kingdoms of Sindh and Multan,
and established the first Muslim rule in India. But after
his death muslim rule did not stable in India.
2. Almost 300 years after the conquest of Sindh by
Muslim Rule in Muhammad bin Qasim, Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni
(1000-1027) invaded India in 17 times, but Muslim rule
was not well established in India.
India 3. Almost 150 years after the death of Sultan Mahmud the
second battle of Tarain took place in 1192. In this battle
Muizuddin Muhammad-bin-Sams defeated the King
Prithviraja and captured Delhi and Ajmer. He established
Muslim rule in the Indian subcontinent by occupying
Delhi and Ajmer.
Sultanate in Bengal (1204-1538 ad)

1204–1338
1. Early Sultanate
• Khilji Dynasty
• Turk/Mamluk Dynasty

2. Independent Sultanate
• Mubarak Shahi
• Ilyas Shahi
• Hussain Shahi
1338–1538
Bengal under Delhi Sultans
MUSLIM CONQUEST OF
BENGAL
◼ Muslim conquest happened in Bihar in 1203, and in Nodia and
Lakhnauti in 1204 when Sen king Lakshman Sen was defeated
by Bokhtiyar Khilji, a military officer of Ghurid dynasty of
North India
◼ Though the Muslim conquest took place in 1204, the people of
Bengal came in contact with Muslim people and Islam at least in
the 8th century.
◼ Therefore, at least a slow pace of conversion and naturalization
was already going on.

Bakhtiar Khilji issued coins by

using both Sanskrit and Arabic
Establishment of Muslim rule
in Bengal
∙ Bakhtiyar Khalji established Muslim rule in Bengal in 1204 A.D.
∙ Originally from his homeland, he moved to Ghazni and Delhi but failed to
find employment.
∙ Employed in Badaun, he soon moved to Ajodhya under Husamuddin, where
his bravery attracted followers.
∙ Led a successful campaign against the King of Bihar, expanding his forces.
∙ Attacked Navadwip (Nadia), the second capital of King Laxman Sena, with a
small force.
∙ Despite being heavily outnumbered, Bakhtiyar Khalji's surprise attack led to
Laxman Sena fleeing to East Bengal.
∙ Bakhtiyar Khalji's victory marked the beginning of Muslim rule in Bengal.
 ► Bengal under Delhi Sultans
Early Sultanate ► Six years of internal conflict
(1204-1338 ► Ghiyas-Ud-Din Iwaz Khilji (1212-1227), a Governor of
Delhi Sultan Iltutmish (a ruler of Mamluk dynasty
AD) ► North Indian Hegemony continued
► Bengal was a province of Delhi up to 1338
► Bengal used to be known as the city of rebellion due to
its frequent revolt against Delhi Sultans
 Khilji Dynasty (1204-1227 AD)

► Bakhtiar Khilji was the founder.

► Ghiyas-Ud-Din Iwaz Khilji (1212-1227
AD) was the greatest, longest and the last
ruler of Khilji Dynasty
► He was the first to establish a navy in the
Bengal region.
 ∙ Known as the Mamluk or Slave Dynasty.
∙ Founded by Nasiruddin Mahmud, son of Shamsuddin
Iltutmish, the Sultan of Delhi.
∙ The greatest Turkish ruler was Sultan Mughisuddin
Turk/Mamluk Tughril, who built the Sonargaon Narkilla fort.
∙ The last Turkish ruler was Bahram Khan.
Dynasty ∙ After Bahram Khan's death, an employer named Fakhra
assumed the title of Fakhruddin Mubarak Shah and
(1227-1338) established an independent Sultanate rule in Bengal.
∙ The greatest Sultan of Bengal of all time is Sultan
Shamsuddin Firoz Shah (1301-1322)
Independent Sultanate of Bengal (1338-1538)

Overview of the
Independent
Sultanate of Bengal
(1338-1538)

Sultans of Bengal
Bengal remained
established a distinct
independent of Delhi's
Sultanate rule, separate
control for almost 200
from the Delhi
years.
Sultanate.
Mubarak Shahi Dynasty (1338-1352)
∙ Fakhruddin Mubarak Shah established the first
independent Sultanate in Bengal in 1338.
∙ Seized control of Sonargaon and declared independence.
∙ Capital: Sonargaon.
∙ Constructed a royal road from Chandpur to Chittagong.
∙ Patron of art, literature, culture, and Sufism. Coins of Fakhruddin Mubarak Shah
∙ Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta visited Bengal during his
reign (1345-1346).
 ∙ Founded by Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah (1342-1356).
∙ United Bengal and titled himself Shah-i-Bangala or
Sultan-E-Bangala.
∙ Capital: Pandua, a city in the Maldah district.
Promoted local participation in administration.
Ilyas Shahi ∙

∙ His son was Sikandar Shah who built Adina Mosque, the
Dynasty largest mosque in the Indian subcontinent at that time.
∙ Significant rulers:
(1342-1487) o Giasuddin Azam Shah (1393-1409) - Patron of art and
Bengali literature.
o Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah - First to conquer the entire Bengal
region, called "Shah-i-Bangala."
Achievements of Ilyas Shah's Reign

Defeated Sultan Alauddin Ali Shah of Firuzabad in 1342, ascending the throne as Sultan Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah.

Expanded territories to include Satgaon, Sonargaon, Nepal, Odissa, Kamrup, Tripura, and Lakhnauti.

First to unite the whole of Bengal under a single ruler.

Built mosques, madrasas, and educational institutions.

Fostered international relations and trade.

Giyash Uddin Azam Shah communicated regularly with Great Poet Hafiz of Persia

During his reign first Muslim Bengali poet Shah Muhammad Sagir translated ‘Yusuf-Zulaikha’ by Persian Poet Abdur
Rahman Jami. Ramayana was translated into Bengali by Krittibash
 ARCHITECTURE FROM THE ILYAS
SHAHI DYNASTY
Adina Mosque, the largest mosque in Indian-sub
Continent at that time was built by Sikandar
Shah

Shat Gombuj Mosque was built by Khan Jahan Ali, a governor of

Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah
Architecture of Ilyas Shah's Reign
 ∙ Raja Ganesh (1415-1418): The only Hindu ruler during the
Raja Ganesh, ∙
200-year independent Sultanate period of Bengal.
Sultan Jalaluddin Mahmud Shah (1418-1432): Raja
The Second Ganesh's son, known in history as Sultan Jalaluddin Mahmud
Shah.
∙ Second Ilyas Shahi Dynasty: Re-established by Nasiruddin
Ilyas Shahi Mahmud Shah (1452-1459).
∙ Rukunuddin Barbak Shah: Son of Nasiruddin Mahmud
Dynasty, and ∙
Shah, recruited 8,000 Habshi (African) soldiers into his army.
End of Ilyas Shahi Dynasty: The dynasty fell due to the
Habshi Rule ∙
power of the Habshi soldiers.
Habshi Rule (1487-1493): Short period of rule by Habshi
military leaders after the fall of the Ilyas Shahi Dynasty.
 Husain Shahi
Dynasty (1494-1538)
∙ Founded by Alauddin Husain Shah.
∙ Considered the "Golden Age of Bengal."
∙ Expanded the kingdom to Assam, Kamrup,
Teppera, Jajnagar, and Chittagong.
∙ Capital: Gaur/Lakhnauti, a city in the
Maldah district.
∙ Promoted religious tolerance and
pluralism; appointed Vaishnavites and
liberal Hindus to court positions.
∙ Key cultural achievements:
o Monoshamongal by Vijoy Gupta.
o Translation of the Mahabharata into
Bengali.
o Development and patronage of
Vaishnavism.
 Defeated the Habshi dynasty and established a strong rule.

Extended the kingdom to Tripura, Odissa, Assam, Kamrup, Sylhet, and

Chittagong.

Achievements of Known for establishing internal peace and order.

Alauddin Hussain
Constructed the Choto Sona Mosque in Chapai Nawabganj.
Shah (1493-1519)
His Son Nusrat Shah built Boro Sona Masque in Gauda and Kadam Rasul
Mosque.

Hussain Shahi Era is often referred to as the "Golden Age of Bengal."

Kadam Rasul Mosque in Gauda Choto Sona Mosque in Boro Sona Mosque in Gouda
Chapai Nawabganj

Architecture of Husain Shahi Dynasty

The Decline of the Bengal Sultanate
∙ The disintegration of Bengal Sultanate and rise of regional powers.
∙ Sher Shah Suri and the Karrani dynasty challenged the Sultanate's authority.
∙ Mughal Empire began consolidating power in the region.
∙ Mughal rule was established in Bengal in 1576 after Akbar's conquest.
∙ Resistance from local Bengali chieftains or Baro-Bhuiyans against Mughal supremacy.
Baro Bhuiyans and Their Resistance to Mughal Rule

Bara Sardar Bari called Isa Khan's zamindar bari in Sonargaon

Chief of Baro-Bhuiyans of
Bengal, Isa Khan
 ∙ Foundation of the Mughal Empire:
Rise of the o Zahir Uddin Mohammad Babur established the Mughal Empire
in 1526 AD.

Mughal o

o
Defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat (1526).
Mughals were known for their use of gunpowder in battles.

Empire in ∙ Prominent Mughal Rulers:

o Babur (1526-1530)

India o

o
Humayun (1530-1540, 1555-1556)
Akbar (1556-1605): Consolidated Mughal rule in Bengal in
1576.
o Jahangir (1605-1627)
o Shah Jahan (1627-1658)
o Aurangzeb (1658-1707)
o Bahadur Shah II (1837-1857): Last Mughal emperor.
MUGHAL RULE
IN BENGAL:
TRAJECTORY
Achievements of the Mughal
Empire

► Architectural Legacy:
o Notable structures: Taj Mahal, Humayun's Tomb, Fatehpur Sikri, Red
Fort, Agra Fort, Bara Katra, Choto Katra, Lalbagh Fort, Shalimar Udyan.
o Mughal architecture symbolized their cultural and artistic influence.
► Cultural Contributions:
o Patronized art, literature, and culture.
o Introduced Mughal revenue system, later adopted by the British.
o Promoted pluralism and religious tolerance in society.
► Expansion and Trade:
o Mughals expanded the empire significantly, establishing new trade
routes.
o Facilitated trade and commerce throughout the empire.
Mughal Rule in Bengal

1526 16th Century 1576 Early 17th Century

Babur establishes Mughal rule in India Mid-16th Century: Mughal Emperor Emperor Akbar conquers Bengal, Late 16th - Early 17th Century:
after defeating Ibrahim Lodi. Humayun captures Gaur but is solidifying Mughal dominance. Bengal Mughals introduce administrative
defeated by Sher Shah. Bengal and becomes a vital province of the reforms, enhance trade and commerce,
Bihar come under direct Afghan Mughal Empire. and patronize arts, culture, and
control. architecture, leaving a lasting legacy in
Bengal.

Local zamindars, known as Baro

End of Bengal's independence as Sher Shah Suri and later the Karrani Bhuiyans, resist Mughal rule,
foreign powers begin to conquer the dynasty rise as significant forces before challenging Mughal authority with
region. the Mughals. regional revolts and resistance.

1538 16th Century Late 16th Century

Bengal Subah Under Mughal Rule

∙ Formation and Significance:

o Bengal Subah was the largest subdivision of the Mughal Empire, encompassing modern-day Bangladesh,
West Bengal, and parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
o Established after the dissolution of the Bengal Sultanate, it became the wealthiest region in the Indian
subcontinent.
o Known as the "Paradise of Nations" and the "Golden Age of Bengal," it was a major center for textile
manufacturing, shipbuilding, and global trade.
∙ Economic Importance:
o Bengal alone accounted for 40% of Dutch imports from Asia.
o Key exporter of silk, cotton textiles, steel, saltpeter, and agricultural produce.
o The region’s industries and wealth played a pivotal role in the first Industrial Revolution.
Bengal Subah Under Mughal Rule

Mir Jumla Islam Khan

Prince Shah Shuja Shaista Khan

The trajectory of Mughal rule in Bengal

Architecture of
Subedars
► Islam khan built Dholaikhal.
► Mir Jumla built Mir Jumla Gate/Dhaka
gate
► Shaista Khan built (tomb of Paribibi) in
Lalbagh Fort, Tara Mosque, Chawk
Bazar Shahi masjid, Saat Gambuj
Mosque, Boro Katra.
► Shah Suja built Choto Katra
 Tara Mosque Mir Jumla Gate/Dhaka gate Boro Katra Chawk Bazar Shahi masjid

Architecture of Subedars
 Saat Gambuj Mosque Lalbagh Fort, Dhaka

Architecture of Subedars
 ∙ Semi-Independent Status in the 18th Century:

Nawabs of o By the 18th century, Bengal emerged as a semi-independent state under the
Nawabs of Bengal, who acknowledged Mughal sovereignty but acted
autonomously.

Bengal Under o The Nawabs were heavily involved in wars against the Marathas and other
regional powers.
∙ Rise of the Nawabs:
Mughal Rule o Nawabs of Bengal became de facto rulers, governing independently while
still nominally recognizing the Mughal Emperor.
o Their rule marked a period of proto-industrialization, with Bengal being a
major production center for muslin, silk, gunpowder, and metalworks.
∙ European Influence and Conflict:
o Bengal was a hub for European joint-stock companies, including the
British, French, Dutch, Danish, and Austrians.
o The rivalry between the Nawabs and the British East India Company
culminated in the Battle of Palashi (1757), leading to British dominance in
Bengal.
 Shirajuddawla Alibardi Khan

Nawabs of Bengal
Decline of Nawab Authority

1764 1793
The Battle of Palashi and the subsequent Battle of Buxar In 1793, the Nawabs were reduced to titular monarchs with no
(1764) diminished the power of the Nawabs, making Bengal a real power, marking the complete transition of Bengal to
British-controlled region. British colonial rule.

By 1772, the British shifted administrative and judicial offices

from Murshidabad to Calcutta, signaling the end of Nawab rule
as an independent entity.

1772
BENGAL UNDER THE NAWABS
(1 OF 2)

Emperor Akbar was one of the greatest rulers in Asia

Patron of arts, culture and education

Pluralism in the society and administration and religious tolerance

Mughal India was wealthier than contemporary European states

Bengal turned into one of the wealthiest provinces of the Mughal

Empire

Decay of Mughal central authority after the death of Aurangzeb in

1707

Lalbagh Fort Bengal turned into a quasi-independent entity during Murshid

Quli Khan
BENGAL UNDER THE NAWABS
(2 OF 2)

◼ Central Mughal rule contentiously suffered from internal clashes and weakness
◼ European traders took the chance of weakness
◼ European traders built forts, maintained mercenary army/Sipahi/Sepoy, and often took part in
the palace conspiracy
◼ European trade created an affluent and wealthy business class, who also often took part in a
palace conspiracy
◼ Battle of Polashi in 1757
THE BRITISH EAST INDIA COMPANY IN INDIA
Factory in Hariharpur, Bihar in 1633

First trading outpost

in 1615 in Surat Fort William (Calcutta),
1696

Fort St George
(Madras/ Chennai) as
the headquarter,1644

37
Established in 1600 AD
FORT WILLIAM IN CALCUTTA
THE BEIC TAKES OVER: A TIMELINE
THE COMPANY AND THE CONQUEST OF
BENGAL

Robert Clive conspires with Mir Jafar and others in Bengal against
Sirajuddaula, and defeats him in the battle of Polashi
THE
MASTERMINDS
OF THE
CONSPIRACY

Robert Clive Mir Jafar and his son Miran

AFTERMATH OF THE BATTLE

◼ Nawab Sirajuddaula was

defeated and killed..
◼ Mir Jafar became the puppet
Nawab.
◼ The company became the
king-maker
◼ Battle of Buxar and the defeat
of Mir Kasim Mir Jafar and his son Miran delivering the treaty of 1757 to
William Watts (chief of the Kasimbazar factory of the
◼ Colonial rule started, which British East India Company)
lasted for 190 years

Robert Clive meeting with Mir Jafar after Polashi, by Francis Hayman
ASPIRATIONS FOR AN EMPIRE

After the battle of Buxar, Clive wrote to England:

“We have at last arrived at that critical
Conjuncture, which I have long foreseen,’ he
wrote to the chairman of the EIC. ‘I mean that
Conjuncture which renders it necessary for us to
determine whether we can, or shall, take the
whole [Mughal Empire] to ourselves.”

Source: Dalrymple, William, The Anarchy: The

East India Company, Corporate Violence, and the
Pillage of an Empire (New York: Bloomsbury
Publishing, 2019), pp. 215.
Suggested Readings

Required Reading:
∙ Salahuddin, A. F. (2004). Bangladesh National Culture and Heritage. Dhaka : IUB. Pages:
95-123

Recommended Readings:
∙ Rahim, M. A. (1963). Social and Cultural History of Bengal . Karachi: Pakistan Historical
Society.
∙ Sengupta, N. (2011). Land of Two Rivers. India: Penguin Books
∙ Eaton, R. M. (1996). The Rise of Islam and the Bengal Frontier: 1204-1760. USA: UCL Press.
∙ Rahim, M. A., Choudhury, A. M., Mahmud, A. B. M. & Islam, S. (2005). Bangladesher Etihash
(History of Bangladesh). Dhaka: Nouruj Kitabistan.
∙ Ahmed, R. (ed.). (2001). Understanding Bengal Muslims. Oxford University Press.
PREVIEW OF THE NEXT CLASS

01 02 03
British India Colonialism, communal tensions
(1757-1905): Reform, and the first
Resistance, partition