Syed Shah Israil
Syed Shah Isra'il (Bengali: সৈয়দ শাহ ইসরাইল, Persian: سید شاه اسرائیل), also known as Shah Bondegi (Bengali: শাহ বন্দেগী, Persian: شاه بندگی), was a 16th-century Persian language writer from Bengal.[1] He is celebrated as a renowned medieval author of the Sylhet region.[2][3]
Malik al-Ulama Syed Shah Israil | |
---|---|
Personal | |
Born | Taraf, Greater Sylhet |
Died | |
Resting place | Murarband Darbar Sharif, Chunarughat |
Religion | Islam |
Nationality | Bengal Sultanate |
Children | Syed Hemad, Syed Taj Jalali, Syed Ismail (Chhoto Miah), Syed Abdullah Thani (Mezu Miah), Syed Ibrahim, Syed Muhammad, Syed Abdullah Muhammad, Syed Yaqub Faqirabadi, Syed Ilyas Quddus (Qutb al-Awlia), Syed Kamal, Syed Nuh and Syed Qutb. |
Parents |
|
Relatives | Syed Nasiruddin |
Muslim leader | |
Period in office | 16th century |
Background
He was a member of the famous Syed family which ruled over Taraf, a renowned literary centre of learning. His father was Syed Khudawand, the son of Syed Musafir - who was the son of Syed Sirajuddin, the son of Sipahsalar Syed Nasiruddin.[4] Israil was the second son; his older brother being Syed Mikail and his younger brother being Syed Bondegi Saif.
Life
Famed for his high proficiency in the Arabic and Persian languages, he wrote Ma'dan al-Fawa'id (معدن الفوائد, Mine of Benefits) in 941 AH (1534 AD).[5] This is the earliest book in the Sylhet region, and thus Israil is considered Sylhet's first author. He was awarded the title of Malik al-Ulama (ملك العلماء, king of scholars), just like his uncle Syed Ibrahim.[6]
Israil had 12 sons; Syed Hemad, Syed Taj Jalali, Syed Ismail (Chhoto Miah), Syed Abdullah Thani (Mezu Miah), Syed Ibrahim, Syed Muhammad, Syed Abdullah Muhammad, Syed Yaqub Faqirabadi, Syed Ilyas Quddus (Qutb al-Awlia), Syed Kamal, Syed Nuh and Syed Qutb.
References
- Sirajul Islam (1992). History of Bangladesh, 1704-1971. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. p. 450.
- Abu Musa Mohammad Arif Billah (2012). "Persian". In Islam, Sirajul; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir (eds.). Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
- "The Khwaja Nazimuddin Road and the Shah Jalal Road in Sylhet". Pakistan Quarterly. 2–3: 65. 1953.
- East Pakistan District Gazetteers: Sylhet. East Pakistan Government Press. 1970. p. 116.
- East Pakistan District Gazetteers. East Pakistan Government Press. 1970. p. 325.
- Sharif Uddin Ahmed, ed. (Jan 1999). Sylhet: History and Heritage. Bangladesh Itihas Samiti. p. 600.