Shamsher Gazi

Shamsher Gazi or Samsher Gazi (1712-1760) was a governor in historical Comilla, Bangladesh. Acclaimed as the Tiger of Bhati, Gazi’s reign (1748-1760) has been cited as the "most interesting episode" in Medieval Tripura's history.

Gazi was born into a peasant family in 1712 in Kungura village. He was brought up by Nasir Mahmud, a zamindar (landowner) in the Raushanabad district. Referred to as a "notorious plunderer" in the Tippera District, Noakhali and Chittagong areas, he became the ruler of Chakla Raushanabad by undertaking to give the then Nawab, a monetary recompense.

The advent of British Raj with its "exploitation and oppression" alongside zamindari subjugation, made life of the peasants and farmers difficult and despondent. Shamsher Gazi's efficient rule freed them of this control. With the granting of rent exemption to the peasants, he managed to govern the economy in an appropriate manner, leading to the reduction of the prices of essential commodities. He was generous to both the Hindus and Muslims. He had ponds dug, naming them after himself, and built many schools in and outside his capital Jagannath Sonapur. 'Kaiyar Sagar' was one of the larger ponds in the area.

Krishnamoni, brother of Indra Manikya tried recapturing Udaipur (old Rangmati), the old capital of Tripura, but was defeated by Gazi in 1748. Consolidating his hold on Pargana Dakshinsik and Pargana Meherkul, Shamsher now became the ruler of Tripura. According to Mesbahul Huq's book Purbo Desh, Gazi repelled assaults by the "plundering Moghs and Bargees". He established Banamali Thakur, the elder son of Udai Manikya as Raja (king) bestowing him with the title of Lakshman Manikya. The Raja was however, not accepted by the public of Tripura. Heeding the outcry, the Nawab had Gazi arrested by subterfuge for his excesses and put to death by a cannon.

• Gazinama, also called the Shamsher Gazi Nama, composed in the first part of the 19th century, was the story of Shamser Gazni written by Manohar Saikh.
• Purbo Desh in Bengali, by Mesbahul Huq about the life and exploits of Shamsher Gazni.
• The Ballad of Shamsher- Gazi published by Maulavi Lutfur Khabir of Tipperah.

• Bangladesh Historical Studies. Bangladesh Itihas Samiti. 1977. p. 151. Retrieved 29 October 2015. 
• Roychoudhury, p. 112
• Davy, Sir Humphry (1928). The collected works of Sir Humphry Davy ...: Discourses delivered before the Royal society. Elements of agricultural chemistry, pt. I. Smith, Elder and Company. Retrieved 29 October 2015.