Bengali mythology in a literal sense is a mixture of influences from Islamic mythology, Vedic mythology, Buddhist mythology, Sufism and as well as local Folklore. It can refer to the historical legends and folk tales of West Bengal and Bangladesh. Given the historical Hindu and Buddhist presence in the region, characters from Vedic and Hindu mythology are present within Bengali literature. Later Islamic settlement has introduced legendary traits that ultimately draw from Middle Eastern inspirations. Such an example of the Vedic and Islamic legend transaction would be the progenitor of Bengalis known as Bonga, Hindu literature credits him as an ancient Hindu Prince Vanga, adopted son of King Vali. Muslim accounts however refer him as Bong, son of Hind who was the grandson of Noah. [1]
The works of ancient philosophers from Bengal have been preserved at libraries in Tibet, China and Central Asia. [2] Buddhist figures from Bengal includes:
Sufi philosophy was highly influential in Islamic Bengal. Prominent Sufi practitioners were disciples of Jalaluddin Rumi, Abdul-Qadir Gilani and Moinuddin Chishti. One of the most revered Sufi saints of Bengal is Shah Jalal. Sufi spiritual traditions are central to the Bengali Muslim way of life. The most common Sufi ritual is the Dhikr, the practice of repeating the names of God after prayers. Sufi teachings regard the Muhammad as the primary perfect man who exemplifies the morality of God. [3] Sufism is regarded as the individual internalization and intensification of the Islamic faith and practice. The Sufis played a vital role in developing Bengali Muslim society during the medieval period. Baul is a Bengali mendicant folk sect influenced by concepts of Sufism. Historic Sufi missionaries are regarded as saints, including:
As part of the conversion process, a syncretic version of mystical Sufi Islam was historically prevalent in medieval and early modern Bengal. The Islamic concept of tawhid was diluted into the veneration of Hindu folk deities, who were now regarded as pirs. [4] Many Folk dieties were worshipped as pirs among the poorer sections of Muslim society alongside Bengalis of other religious beliefs. These practices have almost entirely died out with the spread of Islamic revivalism throughout regions where Bengali Muslims live.