Author:

Lalita Chowhan

Researcher and Essayist
University of Gour Banga
Email: lalitachowhan@gmail.com

Abstract:During the reign of Hussain Shah, the most important feature was Hindu- Muslim Religious Syncretism. The diverse Hinduism and simplicity of Islam were the two main striking features observed in medieval Bengal. It was seen that the secular thoughts preached by Hussain Shah led both Hinduism and Islam in a highly progressive direction. In the mentioned times in the paper we see a diversity of religious beliefs and practices followed by the people of Bengal. Those beliefs and practices were: Some beliefs and practices which continued in the elite class were strictly described in the Quran and Hadith. Similarly some beliefs and practices continued by the upper class were strictly followed by Dharmashastra. Perhaps the most notable feature of Hussain Shah’s Bengal was that some striking beliefs and practices that were followed were invented by people who converted from Hinduism to Islam. Actually conversion to Islam or the advent of Islam was the main reason for the downfall of Hinduism. Chaitnaya revived Hinduism. Thus the Sufi Saints and Chaitanya contributed to the development of a religious structure in Bengal. Bengal hence became an important part of the Bhakti and Sufi movement which continued throughout India.

Key Words:Assimilation,Buddhism,Conversion,Education, Hinduism, Islamisation