Persian Studies Under the Sultans of Bengal (1204-1576 A.D.)

Contents: Foreword. Preface. Introduction. 1. Early Muslim settlements in Bengal. 2. Persian studies under the early Governors and Sultans. 3. Promotion of Persian under the Ilyas Shahi and Habashi Sultans. 4. Contribution of Husain Shahi Sultans to Persian studies. 5. Persian under the Sur and Karrani dynasties. 6. Role of Mosques, Madrasas and Khanqahs. 7. Persian inscriptions in Bengal. 8. Influence of Persian on Bengali language and literature. Conclusion. Appendix. Bibliography. Index.

The present work under the title “Persian Studies under the Sultans of Bengal” a maiden work on this topic, covers a wide range of discussions on various episodes relating to the efflorescence of Persian language and literature in medieval Bengal. It encapsulates multifaceted activities of the Sultans and governors, nobles and princes, officers and landlords, poets and writers, Sufis and savants who either visited or settled in this part of the globe and made significant contribution to the promotion of Persian. It focuses on the hitherto uncharted field of study and adds a brilliant chapter to the history and culture of Bengal.

After rummaging various sources such as anthropology, geography, hagiography, numismatics, historiography, Sufi literature etc. the author portrays a graphic picture of the socio-cultural life of the people shedding extensive light on the progress and development of Persian, which reigned supreme as the official language of the court under the Sultans of Bengal. The book would cater to the need of research scholars interested in the socio-cultural life of medieval Bengal. (jacket)