University of Virginia Library

Cultural Links

Historically and linguistically and on
course in religion West Pakistan has
more affinity with Afghanistan, Persia
and Arabia than with the remote Bengal.
At various times in the past, West
Pakistan owned part of Afghan. Persian
and Arab kingdoms. The languages of
West Pakistan were derived mainly from
Persian and Arabic. The Bengali language
was derived from Sanskrit.

It is significant that Bengal was not
included in the name "Pakistan," and
that it was not included in the original
concept of Pakistan. The term "Pakistan"
was coined by taking the first letters of
the names of Punjab, Afghanistan,
Kashmir, Indus and "stan" from
Baluchistan.

Islam was imposed on the people of
West Pakistan by the Central Asian
Muslim conquerors, but Islam was
brought to the Bengalis by the Muslim
saints and missionaries.