The Contribution of Sufi Saints to the Propagation of Islam and Socio-Culture in Bengal: A Review in the Light of Archaeological Data

Abstract

Centuries before the establishment of Islamic rule in Bangladesh, numerous Sufi saints and dervishes came to this land via merchants. The Sufis were spread over different parts of Bengal and devoted themselves to social service and preaching the religious message in their respective regions. The contribution of Sufis to the society and culture of ancient Bengal is still remembered in the pages of history. Various activities of Sufi saints are also found in archaeological evidence in different parts of Bengal. The present study attempts to review the history of Sufi saints' religious, social, and philanthropic activities in light of the autographs discovered in different regions of Bengal. For the research, research has been conducted by visiting the Muslim archaeological sites spread in other areas, including Gaur, Khalifatabad, Pundranagar, and Rampal, studying and reviewing the inscriptions preserved in the museum, and studying and analyzing the data from history books and literature. In the light of the Muslim inscriptions, architecture, and other archeological monuments of ancient Bengal, the present study echoes the history of the vital contribution of Sufi saints and dervishes in the propagation of religion and various reforms and development of society and culture from the pre-Muslim period to the period of Muslim rule in Bengal.