Bangladesh: National Culture and Heritage offers readers a comprehensive illustration of its history, society and culture. It deals with major aspects of the life and traditions of Bangladesh, highlighting the social, political, economic and cultural trends and changes across different periods.
The term “Bangladesh” here includes the inheritance of undivided Bengal, along with ancient Vanga and other neighbouring entities. Its recorded history begins in the fourth century BCE, but the land and its inhabitants are much older. Bengal has seen waves of settlers assimilate into local population throughout the ages. As 17th century French traveller Bernier said, “Bengal has hundred gates open for entrance, but not one for departure.
The chapters cover the ancient, medieval and modern periods. Recent archeological discoveries are incorporated and the development in modern education, science and technology are also reviewed. The economic development, trade, agriculture, faith, arts, architecture, painting, sculpture, language, literature, music and folklore are also elaborately covered. Scholars who are the pre-eminent experts in each area have authored the essays published in this volume
with the latest photographs and plates. This volume is used in some universities as a compulsory general reader of past and present situation of Bangladesh and historical Bengal and the people who have inhabited this area. It is written in plain language so that a young reader may discover the diversity in Bangladesh and its heritage.
For the curious reader, it is an outline and introduction by experts with the opportunity to delve deeper directly with scholars still alive.
This second edition is thoroughly revised and updated with new articles to accommodate contemporary discoveries and thinking.
Contents
1. Land and People
Physical and Anthropological Geography
Ethnic Diversity in Bangladesh
Archaeological Sites and Monuments in Bangladesh
Recent Archaeological Discovery: Wari-Bateshwar
2. Ancient Bangladesh
Political History
Society and Culturl
3. Muslim Conquest of Bengal
Sultanate: Society and Culture
The Mughal Rule: Politics, Society and Culture
Islamization of Bengal
4. Bengal Under Colonial Rule
Politics and Society
Religious and Social Reform Movement
Evolution of Political Ideas and Movements
5. Bengali Nationalism and the Emergence of Bangladesh
6. Economic and Social Development in Bangladesh Agriculture: Historical Perspectives
Industrialization of Bangladesh in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries
Changing Class and Social Structure in Bangladesh since 1793
7. Education in Bangladesh: An Overview
8. Science and Technology in Bangladesh
9. The Major Religions of Bangladesh
10. Arts and Architecture in Bangladesh Bengal Architecture through the Ages Painting and Sculpture in Bangladesh
11. Bengali Language and Literature
12. Bengali Music
13. Folkloric Bangladesh