288 BENGALI LITERATURE had impaired the simplicity of the vernacular and ren- dered it somewhat difficult for a foreigner. Not only did the pundits incorporate — stiff ae acest ur oe and unfamiliar Sanscrit words and forms of the language. - constructions and the Mobammedans various terms relating chiefly to business, law and government, the European vations too who settled here, never failed to influence the language and naturalise into it words of European origin. Of these, the Portuguese, before the British, have left behind them the largest traces in the country sabes: wee ele- as well as in the language. The Portuguese extended their trade to Bengal a little before 1530 and after temporarily settling at Betad ( বেতড় ) near Sibpur, and then at Saptagram (Satgaon) they finally colonised at “Golin” (near Bandel) at about 1537 or 1538.1 In a short time, they became a _ formidable political power, and their wealth, daring roguery, and naval and military activity made them dreaded all over the country. About the end of the 16th century they settled at Baranagar near Calcutta and soon entered the Sunderbuns, gradually spreading over Eastern Bengal, where as piratus, adven- turers, and extensive dealers in slave-trade, they soon obtained a dreaded reputation.* Their head-quarter in East Bengal was Chittagong, which, being more access- ible by the sea, was called the Porto Grando; while
1 Stewart, History of Bengal, quoting (Ed. 1847, p. 1531) Faria Y Souza. Golin has been supposed to be the same as Ugelyn, a Portuguese form of Hugli. 2 There is an allusion to their piracy and their use of হারামদ (Armada or War-ship) in the Chandi of Kabikatkan— ফিরাঙ্গির দেশখান বহে কর্ণধারে রাজিতে বাহ্িয়। যায় হারামদ ডরে ॥
