History

Gazi, commonly known as Gazi Zinda Pir or Barakhan Gazi, emerged in 17th century puthi literature and is referred to in ‘Maimansingha Gitika’, and also in ‘Raimangal’ (1684) written by Krishnaram Das.

There are numerous versions of the tale of the legendary Gazi. According to ‘Raimangal’, Gazi, a handsome figure, was the son of a wealthy zamindar, but he left his father’s palace at an early age and travelled to the Sundarban forests to become a fakir. He had a confrontation with Dakshin Ray, who was the most powerful spiritual figure of that area. It is said that the Almighty himself came down to mediate between the two, and their followers led a life of amity and understanding.

The most popular tale is that of ‘Gazi Kalu O Champabati Kanya-r-Puthy’. The story goes like this: There was a king named Shah Sekandar Ali at Biratnagar, far away from Bangla, who had two sons, Jadusujon and Gazi, and also an adopted boy named Kalu, whom the king had found in the river. Jadusujon married the only daughter of the king of Janga and left his father. So, the king looked upon his younger son as the successor to the throne. But Gazi disagreed with his father’s decision, as he was indifferent towards the mundane things of life since his childhood. This made Sekandar angry and he tried his best to kill Gazi, but in vain.
Finding human habitation uncongenial and meaningless, Gazi left home in search of the Creator. Kalu followed his brother out of town. After a long night’s journey, the two arrived at a deserted place leaving behind the city. They settled there for seven years. Then they left the place again, and at length, reached the palace of a hostile ruler named Sridhar, who chased them out of his kingdom. At that instance, Kalu cursed the king, and the palace caught fire. King Sridhar then begged for pardon, and accepted Gazi.

Later, Gazi and Kalu went to Brahmannagar (now it includes Jhenaidah, Kotchadpur, Bara Bazar and Benapole). Champabati, a woman of exquisite beauty, was the only daughter of King Mukut Ray. Gazi exchanged glances with her as she was collecting water from a pond, and they fell in love.

Gazi also narrated his love for Champabati to Kalu and through him, sent a proposal of marriage. But the king got very angry and promptly imprisoned Kalu. Obviously, Gazi was not pleased on hearing this. Furious, he marched with his disciples towards Brahmannagar and there was a great battle between the two sides. Gazi succeeded in defeating the king. Finally, the king gave his daughter to him and they lived at Chapainagar (present Badurgacha) happily ever after. Legend has it Gazi had the power of miracles and many incurable diseases were cured by his magic touch.

His life is shown on the "Gazi Scroll", a scroll with 54 paintings from circa 1800, which is currently in the British Museum in London, England.

In the villages of the Sundarbans jungles, Gazi Pir is worshiped alongside the Bonbibi and the Hindu Dakshin Rai, to ask for protection from tigers. According to the legends, Bonbibi taught that everyone is equal, no matter the caste or religion that one has, and that they should live in harmony with nature.

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