Embroidery from India and Pakistan, £10.99
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Scroll showing scenes from the Legend of Gazi, c 1800 AD
Crocodile from The Legend of Gazi
Gazi Pir riding an elephant
A scene from a story on board ship
Purchased through the Art Fund
Asia OA 1955.10-8.095
Asia
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 mytˆ, 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.