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Stories from Bengal
The Legend of Gazi
Gazi Pir was a Muslim saint who is said to have
spread the Islamic religion in Bengal. According to local myth, he
could control dangerous animals and make them harmless and gentle.
He is shown riding a fearsome Bengal tiger while holding a
poisonous snake in his hand without coming to any danger. He also
battled with the crocodiles who were a constant threat to the
people of the area called the Sunderbans, the watery jungle where
the river Ganges meets the sea. Through his influence over all of
these animals, he is said to have made it possible for people to
live and farm in that jungle and people still pray to him to
protect them while they go about their daily
chores.