24/01/2026
๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ก ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฑ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ (๐๐๐) ๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฆ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฅ
A two-day history conference organized by the Centre for Research and Excellence (CRE) concluded on its second day on Sunday at Kala Kunj (Kala Mandir) on Shakespeare Sarani in Kolkata. The theme of the conference was *โUnveiling The Impact Of Muslims In Bengalโ* On the second day as well, intense and analytical discussions took place on various aspects of history, society, and contemporary politics.
Among the invited guests were eminent historian Dr. Ram Puniyani; distinguished thinker and writer Syed Sayeed Sadatullah Hossaini; Director of the Indian History Forum, Dr. Shadab Musa; and Dr. Masihur Rahman, among others. The inaugural address was delivered by Masiur Rahman, Director of the organizing body, CRE.
In his address, Dr. Masihur Rahman, Chairman of the West Bengal Welfare Trust, stated that the Muslim period of rule is being deliberately maligned through the politicization and communalization of history. A negative narrative has been constructed by distorting the history of the advent of Islam in Bengal and Muslim rule. He noted that Ikhtiyar al-Din Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khilji, the first Muslim ruler of Bengal, is often portrayed as the destroyer of the Nalanda University library, although the historical authenticity of this claim is questionable. Similarly, Aurangzeb has also been deliberately vilified.
Dr. Rahman said that prior to Muslim rule, the caste system had drained the vitality of Bengali society, with lower castes being oppressed and exploited by upper castes. With the advent of Muslim rulers, society was liberated from the caste system, and peace and justice were established. He added that during Muslim rule there was significant infrastructural development in education, moral training, water supply, irrigation systems, and sanitation. Sufis played a leading role in social reform and social service, dedicating themselves to the welfare of humanity without seeking royal patronage.
He further stated that Swami Vivekananda himself had noted that the spread of Islam in Bengal occurred due to its ideals of equality, friendship, and fraternity. Although Muslim rulers came from outside the region, they contributed to the prosperity of the people of India irrespective of caste or religion. By abolishing untouchability and discriminatory practices, they established an inclusive system of governance. Speaking on the economy, Dr. Rahman noted that during Aurangzebโs reign, India accounted for nearly 28 percent of the worldโs GDP, whereas today West Bengalโs contribution is only about 3โ4 percent. Citing the accounts of Ibn Battuta, he said that law and order and the rule of law prevailed during that period, which later collapsed under British rule, leading to massive plunder of wealth to England.
Dr. Shadab Musa said that one of the greatest challenges facing India today is history itself. There are attempts to erase a thousand years of Muslim history, heritage, and contributions. By creating false narratives, the period of Muslim rule is being labeled as a โdark ageโ of Indian civilization. He stated that during the Muslim period in Bengal, the production of rayon, silk, and textiles was many times greater than in Europe. Delhi College originated from Madrasa Ghaziuddin. Such histories, he said, are being deliberately concealed.
In his address, Dr. Ram Puniyani said that over the past decade there has been a concerted effort to marginalize Muslims on all frontsโnot only in India, but across the world. The term โIslamic terrorismโ is used to demonize a particular religion, while similar terminology is not applied to violence associated with other religions. He said riots do not happen spontaneously; they are engineered, and certain political forces benefit from them. He strongly criticized the tendency to divide history by portraying the ancient period as a golden age, Muslim rule as a dark age, and British rule as the modern age.
Syed Sadatullah Hossaini said that history is a trust of the nation and the people, and betrayal of this trust forces a nation to pay the price for hundreds of years. Muslims came to this land as travelers and used its resources for its own development. More than four thousand historical monuments in India were built by Muslim rulers, and most of the countryโs top tourist destinations bear testimony to this legacy. He emphasized that no country can be ruled for long through hatred, division, and intolerance.
Finally, expressing gratitude, the convener of the history conference, researcher Saeed Al Mamun, declared the conference closed. The entire session was conducted by Osman Gani, a member of the Centre for Research and Excellence (CRE).
