Education in Medieval Bengal: A Study in Cross-Cultural Influences

Abstract

In the medieval Bengal, Hindus and Muslims lived in a society where mainly the religion controlled foremost aspects of life. In this context, both the communities maintained two distinct educational systems in Bengal. This paper attempts to present the emergence of Islamic education in Bengal during Sultanate period and its development in relation to the indigenous education of the Hindus. It also examines interactions of Islamic education with its Hindu counterpart in the period under review despite having clear distinctions across the communities in many respects. Analyzing the primary and secondary sources on education of Medieval Bengal, this paper shows how the Hindus and Muslims interacted with each other in the field of education went beyond the existing hostility, mistrust and prejudices in many aspects of their distinctive life styles. The result was the development of a unique syncretic and composite culture in the field of Education.