Bengali literature has a history spanning over 300 years, bringing up Bengali culture and tradition. It was influenced by religion, which shaped the culture and literature. Bengali authors have been able to capture the stories of common people in the region, telling of their struggles, happiness, sorrows, and love. Some of the most notable Bengali authors mentioned include Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, Abu Ishaak, Zahir Rayhan, Syed Waliullah, Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Syed Mujtaba Ali, Shawkat Osman, and Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay.