How did Bangladesh become Muslim?

Bangladesh stands out as a Muslim enclave in South Asia, with around 90% of its population adhering to Islam. It is the fourth-largest Muslim-majority country globally, housing nearly 150 million Muslims. The deep-rooted presence of Islam traces back centuries through ruling dynasties and empires that introduced it across the region. Unlike neighboring countries where other religions dominate, Bangladesh uniquely embraced Islam profoundly.

The first signs of Islam in the Bengal Delta, now Bangladesh, trace back to Prophet Muhammad's era through Arab trade routes. While traders were not missionaries, they established communities near southern delta trade posts and introduced Islam indirectly. However, it was conquest that led to its predominance; Muslim conquerors expanded swiftly from the Middle East but faced challenges entering the Indian subcontinent for centuries.

The Muslim conquest of India began with the Ghaznavid dynasty, founded by Alp-Tegin, a former Mamluk slave soldier. His son Mahmud expanded their territory significantly but faced resistance from Hindu kingdoms forming alliances against them. Despite setbacks, the Ghaznavids were eventually succeeded by other Islamic rulers like Bakhtiyar Khalji who conquered Bengal in 1204 with minimal forces. Khalji established his own Mamluk dynasty under the Delhi Sultanate which ruled for over three centuries across much of India. This period marked significant development for Islam in Bengal as Turkish Muslims migrated there alongside Sufi leaders and scholars seeking refuge from Mongol invasions elsewhere.

Bengal, surrounded by mountain ranges, became a pivotal region for migration movements. The rise of Islam led to the displacement of Buddhist and Hindu monks while fostering cultural growth in literature, painting, and liberal arts. By 1338, Bengal declared independence from the Delhi Sultanate but faced challenges until unifying as the Bengal Sultanate; it later succumbed to Mughal rule in 1576 yet retained some autonomy. Agricultural transformation reshaped its economy with prolific rice production becoming an export staple due to river changes connecting Ganges with Padma. This economic boom paralleled Islam’s integration into rural life through land grants tied to forest clearing and mosque construction—making cultivation both an economic activity and religious act. Over time under Mughals' influence—including paper massification—the Quran shaped regional identity blending local culture organically into Islamic traditions.