History

BOOK REVIEW: NONFICTION / Stitching fragments of a city lost in time

In the contested notion of creating a ‘nation,’ few ideas provoke as much ire among the everyday citizens of a bordered entity as the concept of a space—one that carries with it the weight of instilling an identity.

We must build a foundation for genuine democracy

Democracy cannot operate as a simple majority steamroller, as we also saw in the early days of our independence.

Mahalaya to Vijaya Dashami: What this year’s Durga Puja predicts

Durga Puja, an annual Hindu festival, celebrates the divine force “Shakti” embodied in Goddess Durga. This year, Mahalaya falls on 2 October, marking the start of Devi Paksha. Durga arrives on 3 October by palanquin, considered inauspicious, and departs on 12 October by horse.

#Culture / Vibrant puja culture of Shankhari Bazar: Where tradition meets tomorrow

Shankhari Bazar, one of Dhaka’s oldest neighbourhoods, is renowned for its vibrant cultural heritage. During Durga Puja, the area transforms with colourful decorations and bustling markets. Despite modernization, it retains its charm, offering a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

The desperate need for a nuanced narrative of history in NCTB textbooks

Through discourse and perception, these unknown tales of history continue to haunt us even today.

Images that changed history

Their deaths in the hands of cold-blooded law enforcement personnel might not have been in vain

Who are Bengalis?

A chronicle of race science in Bengal

Steam Power and Scientific Knowledge in Early British Bengal

In Europe, steam power evolved gradually and uncertainly over the course of the eighteenth century, with innovative peaks and long plateaus, from Thomas Savery’s steam pump (1698) via Thomas Newcomen’s reciprocating atmospheric engine (1712) to James Watt and Matthew Boulton’s double-acting rotative steam engine with a separate condenser (1765-90).

INTERVIEW / Uncovering history through storytelling

In conversation with Reem Bassiouney on the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, 'Al Halwani', and bridging the cultural gap

April 8, 2024
April 8, 2024

Achar chronicles: From sun-drenched rooftops to digital marketplaces

For different people, the word achar — the South Asian term for pickles — evokes different memories. Some revel in the memory of seeing their mothers or grandmothers sitting in the courtyards with jars of achar.

April 8, 2024
April 8, 2024

Why we love red and white sarees on Pahela Baishakh

Pahela Baishakh is characterised by vibrant festivities and mouth-watering dishes. For Bengali women, the essence of this day lies in their red and white sarees — an emblem of their unwavering love for tradition through the ages.

March 17, 2024
March 17, 2024

‘Father of the Nation Bangabandhu’ marries the art of Japanese storytelling with the rich tapestry of Bangladesh’s history

A review of 'Father of the Nation Bangabandhu' (NRB Scholars, 2024) by ME Chowdhury Shameem and Iwamoto Keita

October 5, 2023
October 5, 2023

Human achievements or alien intervention? 5 mysterious sites that defy explanation

While impressive archaeological remains can be found in many parts of the world, certain sites are imbued with an air of mystery. Here are 5 such mysterious ancient sites that intrigue the masses, scientists, and archaeologists.

August 2, 2023
August 2, 2023

Jauhar

We walk past the singing bells and our chambers, Blind to the perils beyond our walls.

July 30, 2023
July 30, 2023

7 surprising facts you probably didn’t know about Barbie

While Barbie has been a part of everyone’s childhood, there are a few things that many of us probably did not know about her. With the recent release of Barbie the movie, Barbie has resurfaced in all our lives, regardless of age. Here are a few fun facts that many of us were not aware of about Barbie.

June 25, 2023
June 25, 2023

Mastering the art of coatee styling

Coatee is unisex outerwear, which can be viewed as the subcontinent’s answer to coats and other fashionable outerwear commonly seen in the West. Interestingly, coatees do have their roots in the military outfits of the British and Americans. To this day, the coatee remains part of the highland dress, paired with tartan kilts, which is the traditional dress of the Highlands and Isles of Scotland.

June 15, 2023
June 15, 2023

History, fascism, and the hijacking of children’s fairy tales

Fairytales were not just a vehicle for the imagination but also an introduction to the dangers of the world and the accepted moral standards of the time.

April 29, 2023
April 29, 2023

Ranajit Guha was the youngest at heart: Dipesh Chakraborty

"The enthusiasm which Ranajit Guha created in our minds in the field of thinking and writing history for more than a decade has never been replicated in the past nor will it be replicated in the future", Dipesh Chakraborty said.

April 13, 2023
April 13, 2023

Things you probably didn’t know about mosque architecture in Bangladesh

The cultural legacy of Bengal is imbued in its breath-taking religious structures. Being a predominantly Muslim land, it's unsurprising that mosques constitute the majority of such architectural wonders. Throughout the course of Islamic rule in Bengal, stretching from the early Sultanate period to modern times, the designs of mosques have undergone a continual evolution.