Page:Twelve men of Bengal in the nineteenth century (1910).djvu/135

Rh had been settled for generations in Eastern Bengal. Tracing its descent from Khaled, one of the first great soldiers of the Crescent, known from his prowess in religious warfare as the 'Sword oi God,' it numbered men of learning, piety and enterprise among its members. The descendants of the 'Sword of God' lived in Mecca itself until one of them, inspired by that spirit of adventure which led so many of his countrymen eastwards, set out for India. Making his way to Delhi, Shah Azimuddin settled there under the special protection of the Emperor, acquiring much fame on account of his learning and piety. His son Abdur Rasul travelled yet further afield, obtaining the appointment of a Judgeship in Eastern Bengal and finally making his home at Rajapur in the Faridpur district. Those were troublous days and law and order were yet things of the future on the outskirts of the Empire. The great rivers were the main highways of Eastern Bengal and they were infested with dacoits who rendered unsafe for habitation the country far inland on either bank. Choosing a quiet and secure retreat, Abdur Rasul made for himself a home which is still in the possession of his descendants to-day. He was succeeded in his judgeship by his son, who acquired more lands and added still further to the dignity of the family. But as often happened to Muhammadan families in past days, their increase inevitably meant their decay, the property of the original founder