Regions with significant populations | |
---|---|
India (West Bengal, Assam, Bihar)
Bangladesh Bhutan | |
Languages | |
Rajbongshi | |
Religion | |
Islam | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Koch, Rabha, Boro |
Islam in Bangladesh |
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The Nashya Shaikh or Nashya Sekh is a Muslim community found in northern parts of the state of West Bengal in India. They are culturally and linguistically similar to both people of northern Bangladesh and Goalpara of Assam. A small number of the community are also found in the neighboring state of Bihar, where they are known as the Bengali Shaikh. The group is descended from a set of tribals which were collectively referred to as Koches, who converted to Islam as they were unable to find a favourable position in Hindu society and came to be known as the Rajbanshi Muslims.[1][2] They are homogeneous with the Koch people and are bilingual, speaking both Bengali and Surjapuri.