This book consists of thirty diverse papers by leading scholars covering such varied themes as history, politics and governance, economy and development, and society and culture. Historical topics include the British colonial regime, the Bengali Muslim middle class, the origin of the Sonar Bangla concept, and the role of the superpowers during 1971. The papers on politics and governance examine the relationship between the state and religion, party politics and parliamentary behaviour, violence and the state, and the identity politics of indigenous peoples. The next group of papers covers different development policies, export competitiveness in the Indian market, the systemic poverty discourse, social business and the role of social forestry in poverty reduction. The final set of essays include the socio-cultural position of Bengali Muslims, family relationships of migrant workers, challenges of English language learning, and the emergence of the Bangla San (Era) and Bengali new year festival.

The diversity of the original research contained in this volume makes it an essential resource for anyone interested in Bangladesh studies, the humanities, and social sciences.

Contents
* Preface
* Contributors
Alamgir Muhammad Serajuddin: Teacher, Researcher, Jurisprudent, Education Administrator
Mahmudul Huque

History
Chapter 1
The Shaping of the New Colonial Regime in Bengal
P. J. Marshal

Chapter 2
Revisiting the Eighteenth Century Debate
Ranjit Sen

Chapter 3
Evolution of the British Land Revenue Policy in Bengal from Diwani to Permanent Settlement 1765-1793
A. B. M. Mahmood

Chapter 4
Cash Crops of Bangladesh and Their Importance in the National Economy
M. Wazed Ali

Chapter 5
My Historical Testament
Syed Anwar Husain

Chapter 6
U.S. Policy towards the Bangladesh Liberation War

Mahmudul Huque
Chapter 7
Jute, Economic Prosperity, and Political Role of the Bengali Muslim Middle Class in the Later Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries
Mohammad Shah

Chapter 8
Situating the Sonar Bangla: Ecology, Economy and Wellness in the Long Nineteenth Century
Iftekhar Iqbal

Politics and Governance
Chapter 9
Religion under National Constitutions and Laws: Some Reflections from Bangladesh
Kamal Hossain

Chapter 10
Obama’s Cairo University Speech and Quest for Peace in Turmoil: A Bangladeshi View
A. B. M. Husain

Chapter 11
Party Politics and Parliamentary Behaviour in Bangladesh
Nizam Ahmed

Chapter 12
The Path to Governance: Political and Administrative Development in Bangladesh
Ahmed Shafiqul Huque

Chapter 13
Violence and the State in Bangladesh
Mahfuzul H. Chowdhury

Chapter 14
Prohibition of Enforced Disappearance under International Human Rights Law: A Bangladesh Context
Abdullah Al Faruque

Chapter 15
Identity Politics and Indigenous Activism in the Chittagong Hill Tracts
Nasir Uddin

Economy and Development
Chapter 16
Giant Problems and Tiny Solutions
Muhammad Yunus

Chapter 17
Beyond Education for All: Meeting the Human Capital Needs of Economic Development

Wahiduddin Mahmud
Chapter 18
The Bengal Famine, the Famine Inquiry Commission and Amartya Sen: A General Review
M. Mufakharul Islam

Chapter 19
The Systemic Poverty Discourse and Role of the State in Poverty Creation in Bangladesh
Muinul Islam

Chapter 20
Addressing the Trade Facilitation Deficit: Raising Export Competitiveness in the Indian Market
Mustafizur Rahman and Khaleda Akhter

Chapter 21
Bangladesh: Economic Development and Younger Generation
Mahmudul Alam

Chapter 22
The Bangladesh Mix-Blending Conservative and Unconventional Development Policy
Hassan Zaman

Chapter 23
Revisiting the Role of Social Forestry in Poverty Reduction and Rural Development in Bangladesh: A Focus on the Betagi and Pomora Projects
Niaz Ahmed Khan

Society and Culture
Chapter 24
Seizure of Socio-Cultural Positions in the Intellectual History of the Bengali Muslims, 1905-1947
Mahmud Shah Qureshi

Chapter 25
Glimpses into the Tribal Societies of the Chittagong Hill Tracts and Their Linguistic Communications
Maniruzzaman

Chapter 26
The Socio-Cultural Dimensions of Relationships of Left-Behind Wives of Migrant Workers with In-Laws in Bangladesh
Abul Hasnat Golam Quddus

Chapter 27
Nature in Modern Art of Bangladesh
Nazrul Islam

Chapter 28
Emergence of Bangla San (Era) and Development of Bengali New Year Festival
Shamsuzzaman Khan

Chapter 29
Sir William Jones at Calcutta: His Contributions to Oriental Studies
Abu Taher Mojumder

Chapter 30
Challenges of Language Teaching in Bangladesh, with Special Reference to English
Monsur Musa