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Islamic resurgence in Rarh Bengal can be traced from various liturgical sources & scriptures. Most important & popular among them are Shunya Puran and Dharma Puja Bidhan, authored by Ramai Pandit.
Ramai Pandit (Ramai the wise) was a mediaeval bengali poet, the court poet of King Lausen. Acc. to traditional accounts, he was brought up by devotees of Dharma thakur after his parents died. Ramai, while growing up began worshipping Dharma (a synonym of religion) & Sunya (Void).
Dharma deity is a Hindu God in the traditional Rarh region of present day West Bengal- represented by an aniconic shapeless stone daubed with vermilion, placed under a tree or sometimes in a temple. Worship takes place in the months of Baisakh(Night of Baisakhi Purnima) & Asarh.
It was the time when Muslim population was periodically increasing in Bengal, especially non-muslim region like Rarh. As soon as Dharma stepped out from tradition habitat in oral narratives & entered into papers through Shunya Puran, those events made their place in history.
James wise assumed "when the Muhammadan armies poured into bengal, it is hard to believe they were not welcomed.." but interestingly, the contemporary texts introduced relevance b/w such postulate & cult. For instance, startling sections like Sri Niranjaner Rushma & Kalima Jalal.
Severe modifications to the original text of Shunya Puran were made during 14th century, referring the spread of Islamic sect in Rarh. The last chapter 'Sri Niranjaner Rushma' (Wrath of Sri Niranjan) indicated-
"Dharma assumed the form of Yavana;
Black cap on head
with bow-arrow decorating the hands.
So frightened all the Hindu deities;
that they all converted in the name of 'khoda'(Allah)."
Black cap on head
with bow-arrow decorating the hands.
So frightened all the Hindu deities;
that they all converted in the name of 'khoda'(Allah)."
"As many gods there were one & all agreed
and gladly wore the Hijab.
Brahma became Muhammad Vishnu became Paigambar
Lord Shiva became Adam.
Ganesh turned Ghazi Kartik a Kazi
All Hindu sages became fakir."
and gladly wore the Hijab.
Brahma became Muhammad Vishnu became Paigambar
Lord Shiva became Adam.
Ganesh turned Ghazi Kartik a Kazi
All Hindu sages became fakir."
The other extraordinary chapter Kalima Jalal (probably 'Majesty of uncountable or Allah) is from Dharma Puja Bidhan-
"Brahma Vishnu Adi Dev; everyone on foot
Blatantly played instruments.
Observed chandika Devi; she became hawa bibi
Padma became Bibi noor.
All the gods; All set on
Entered Jajpur (temple)."
Blatantly played instruments.
Observed chandika Devi; she became hawa bibi
Padma became Bibi noor.
All the gods; All set on
Entered Jajpur (temple)."
"By hitting enemy's crown
Badshah crowned mighty Muhammad.
Who's Hindu who's Musalman;
Hindus idolized wood and stone,
Muslims worship khoda."
Badshah crowned mighty Muhammad.
Who's Hindu who's Musalman;
Hindus idolized wood and stone,
Muslims worship khoda."
The works of Ramai Pandit are significant not only as accounts of Hindu cults & deities, but in the sense they are evidence of Islamic invasion in Bengal.
Both from Shunya Puran & Dharmapuja Bidhan we learn, the followers of Dharma happily hailed Muslims as they tortured higher cast hindus & destroyed their temples, later oppressed by Muslims at Jajpur in Maldah & other places.
