Nashya Sheikhs of North Bengal in Historical Perspectives: A Study of Ethnicity & 95 Identity Dynamic

Abstract

North Bengal comprises of Maida, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and Kalimpong districts. The residential Muslim population is one of the most important indigenous people of this region and all together as per census encompasses 25 percent of the total population in North Bengal. In this context the Muslims are the most important minority religious group in this region. They have been living in this region, even before their conversion to Islam and a large portion of indigenous Hindu population converted to Islam in 15th to J 8th century. This research paper deals with the Nashya Sheikh of North Bengal with special reference to their ethnicity-and Identity dynamics.