The Sufis and the Literati in Contemporary Bengal: A Portrayal of the ‘Other’ in their own Spheres

Abstract

Sufis are generally appreciated for their role in the Islamization of Bengal. However, they have begun to be criticized by the proponents of more orthodox Islamic revivalism. Although the Sufis’ relationship with the revivalists have been studied from a myriad of perspectives, the former’s relationship with the English-educated middle class of Bengal has so far remained unexamined. By analysing Pir-related literary works in the Bangla language, this article argues that Sufi-Pirs were, in the main, negatively portrayed in the dominant discourse that prevailed among the more educated sections of society in Bengal (now Bangladesh). In the face of such negative portrayals, some recent Sufis have adopted counterstrategies to prevent further assaults on their image by popular authors and activists.