Debates on the Emergence of Islam in Bengal through the Arab-Turkish Existence

Abstract

This research focuses on two main topics. The first is the lack of attention to the emergence of Islam in Bengal, according to this study. The second concern is the early interactions of Muslim Arabs and Turks with the Bengal region. When analysing the initial entry of these two groups into the area and their subsequent activities, it is observed that they differ vastly. Before the advent of Islam, Arabs were accustomed to travelling to various regions, including Bengal, for trade purposes. Over time, Arab traders expanded their commercial activities with Bengal ports and contributed to spreading Islam. On the other hand, Central Asian Turks also attempted to connect the Bengal region to themselves through various activities over time. Therefore, there is a need for more in-depth research on this subject. Methodologically, this research evaluates historical arguments and narratives through qualitative research. Moreover, this study relies primarily on secondary sources in Bangla and English. Where necessary, classical Arabic sources will also be taken into consideration. In this way, the research offers a unique perspective.

Keywords

• Arabs
• Islamization of Bengal
• sea route
• land route
• trade
• Turks

Bengal’de İslam’ın Ortaya Çıkışı Üzerine Arap-Türk Varlığına İlişkin Tartışmalar

Abstract

Bu araştırma iki temel konuya odaklanmaktadır. Birincisi, bu çalışmaya göre Bengal’de İslamiyet’in ortaya çıkışına yeterince dikkat edilmemesidir. İkincisi ise Müslüman Araplar ve Türklerin Bengal bölgesi ile erken temaslarını içermektedir. Bu konuda bölgeye söz konusu iki milletin ilk girişleri, ardından sürdürdükleri faaliyetleri analiz edildiğinde zamansal açıdan farklılık gösterdikleri müşahede edilmektedir. İslam’ın ortaya çıkmasından önce Araplar ticaret amacıyla çeşitli bölgelere, Bengal de dâhil olmak üzere, seyahat etmeye alışkındılar. Zamanla Arap tüccarlar Bengal limanları ile ticaret faaliyetlerini genişlettiler ve İslamiyet’in yayılışında katkıda bulundular. Öte yandan, Orta Asya’daki Türkler de Bengal bölgesini zamanla çeşitli faaliyetlerle kendilerine bağlamaya çalıştılar. Bu sebeple konuya dair daha derinlikli araştırmalara ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır. Yöntemsel olarak bu araştırma, nitel araştırma yoluyla tarihsel argümanları ve anlatıları değerlendirmektedir. Ayrıca, bu çalışma, başlıca Bengalce ve İngilizce ikincil kaynaklara dayanmaktadır. Gerekli yerlerde klasik Arapça kaynaklara da başvurulacaktır. Bu şekilde, araştırma yeni bir bakış açısı sunmaktadır.

Keywords

• Araplar
• Bengal’in İslamlaşması
• deniz yolu
• kara yolu
• ticaret
• Türkler

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